Pop culture these days is full of stereotypes about different generations, from baby boomers all the way down to Gen Z. Just take the example of technology: television shows and movies often portray young characters as being obsessed with technology, while their older counterparts are out of touch with the latest devices and innovation. But you shouldn’t trust everything you see when it comes to generations, says Jason Dorsey, the president of the Center for Generational Kinetics.
“So much of what is said about generations is simply not true,” Dorsey tells BSCAI’s Lauren Liacouras in the latest episode of the Contracting Conversations podcast.
Dorsey, a Contracting Success keynote speaker, has dedicated his career to helping companies understand and navigate generational differences. A millennial himself, when he was 18 years old he wrote a book designed to help his generation. His promotional activities for the book eventually turned into a full-time speaking career, and Dorsey found himself consulting with companies and appearing on shows like The Today Show, The View, and 60 Minutes to discuss generational differences and strategies for overcoming them. He eventually opened the Center for Generational Kinetics to further research on the subject.
Now, with Contracting Success just around the corner, Dorsey says he is excited to help building service contractors bridge the gap between different generations in their workforces.
“Every single generation is valuable. Every single generation is important,” he says. If BSCs can help their employees understand how to connect with colleagues of different generations, Dorsey says, they will unlock greater potential for their companies, be it talent, sales, growth, or more.
Dorsey lauds the BSC industry as an example of a community that is closely connected with multiple generations.
“This is one of those industries where every single day, they are leading, connecting, and communicating with two, three, four, sometimes even five generations. That is really hard to do,” he says.
During his keynote address, Dorsey plans to help BSCs by outlining specific, actionable strategies and tactics for navigating generational differences. He says he doesn’t want to solve problems for attendees, he wants to equip them with the tools and knowledge needed to develop solutions. And while Dorsey will be discussing topics that are extremely relevant to the business world, that doesn’t mean he will be no-nonsense about it. He promises a fun, high-energy, interactive session for attendees.
“This is something every person there can apply with their family, their friends, and their community, not just at work,” he says.
Listen to the full episode for more insight from Dorsey.