WB Reading List: A generational review.

I started this year with two books that seem unrelated, but both touch on the theme of generational differences. This is also a topic I am talking about for several clients this year. There are 5 generations in our workplaces today and it is crucial that we understand how to maximize the gifts of each and respect their differences.

Extremely Online by Taylor Lorenz

Sometimes I consider social media and wonder, how did we get here? Taylor Lorenz answers that question in this book. From the first “Mommy bloggers” to today’s “influencer” economy, she does a deep dive into content creation and how it has taken over much of life.

Takeaways: We likely underestimate the influence, both toxic and economically positive of content creation on the internet.

Gen Xers did more than we get credit for in driving the growth of online content and activity.

There is no going back.

Going Infinite by Michael Lewis

In addition to the criminal aspects of the FTX and Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) story, there is an underlying narrative about how younger generations lead and follow others. In this book Michael Lewis does an intense study on SBF based on extreme access to him and his team. I found myself appalled at the basis for others attachment to and willingness to follow SBF based on so little hard data, despite the strange behavior of SBF, or solely on effective altruism.

Takeaways: Our culture will tolerate terrible behavior from anyone if they have enough money.

There was a lack of mature voices in this story, I think that says something important about the need for all 5 generations.

Six Ideas for Building Work Ethic into Generation Z by Tim Elmore

I dislike the title of this one, but the content is important. We must value what every generation brings to the workplace today. Gen Z has a lot to offer but leaders cannot approach them the same way they approach a Baby Boomer or Gen Xer. They will work hard with the right motivation and respect.

Takeaway: We all must reflect on what “work ethic” really is and means to us, including that our definition of it may not be the most healthy or productive.