Description
Technology and our professions are evolving at rapid rates, markets continue to tighten, and people are living and working longer. As we continue, we need to establish and maintain a skilled workforce, which is more challenging as more generations need to work together. Each generation provides unique individuals with preferences, skills, and values formed by their life experiences. Varying ideals and styles of communication can cause problems between generations, which has always been somewhat the case—but this baseline discrepancy is heightened by swiftly advancing technology and a continually changing professional landscape. We will examine differences and similarities among the generations in such a way that the dialog will offer strategies to capitalize on the strengths of each group. It is understanding and appreciating the uniqueness of each group that will help establish a successfully collaborative environment in a multigenerational workplace.
Key Learnings
- Consider the implications of having so many generations working together
- Discuss differences between the various generations
- Learn a little bit about other generations
- Explore ways to capitalize on unique strengths of each generation
Speaker
- DMDesiree MackeyDesirée Mackey has been in the AEC industry since the1990s. She holds a bachelor's degree from University of California, Davis and a master's degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Desiree has worked in construction and as a structural engineer, and has lead design technology departments. Desirée is a regular speaker at many conferences, she co-founded the Rocky Mountain Building Information Society, was Chair of the Structural Engineers Association of Colorado's BIM Committee, served as an AUGI board member, Treasurer, and Vice President, serves on the AU Advisory Council, and is Chairman of the BILT Americas Committee.