Nursing

Design meetings to please every generation

Nurse Leader Weekly, June 5, 2006

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All managers need to hold meetings with their staff, but the meeting topics, timing, and frequency will determine the interest of each generation. Finding a way to cater to each of these generations is vital.

The Silents (those born between 1926 and 1945), always self-sacrificing and helpful, will attend staff meetings and pay attention. Baby Boomers (those born between 1946-1964) will also attend staff meetings, which they view as necessary, if not always valued. Generation Xers (those born between 1965-1980) have a reputation for not attending, or for attending and not participating. They like fewer, shorter meetings, and want the information delivered quickly, without chitchat, so they can get back to work. They are suspicious of Boomers who don't get to the point immediately or who present the information forcefully.

Generation Y (those born between 1981-2002) grew up familiar with the concept of family meetings to discuss issues. They are happy to come and keen to participate. The older generations, however, often look askance when Generation Y members offer up their ideas, as if to say, "How can they think they can offer ideas? They are new and don't even know the system yet." The manager should watch for this attitude and make clear that all staff are welcome to participate and all will be listened to.

Strategies for successful meetings

1. Keep information brief

Everyone suffers from information overload. The manager should triage information so that nurses only have to read information that is truly relevant to their practice.

An easy way to do this is to have a small notebook titled R-R-R. This stands for

  • Read (the information is mandatory and all staff must read it)
  • Respond (after reading, staff should initial it, as proof they have read it)
  • Remove (information stays in the book for only two weeks, after which the manager removes it)

If you keep the information in the book brief and meaningful, no staff member, regardless of their generation, will have difficulty reading 10 or fewer pieces of paper over a two-week period. This practice will preclude the need for memos stuck around the unit with "Read!" written on them in red marker. Educate all staff so that they know that the one place to find required reading is in the R-R-R book.

2. Try different meeting styles

Generation X and Y often respond better to different meeting styles than those enjoyed by Baby Boomers and the Silents. The younger generations want opportunities to solicit the manager's advice, knowledge of the institution, influence, wisdom, and power.

Consider holding an informal meeting once a month that has no agenda, but that lets staff come by just to talk, ask questions, clarify rumors, and so on. To break the ice, have snacks or treats on hand. Also be sure to schedule meetings so that nurses from all shifts may attend.

Editor's note: The above excerpt is from HCPro's new book A Practical Guide to Managing the Multigenerational Workforce: Skills for Nurse Managers by Judith "Ski" Lower, RN, MSN, CCRN, CNRN. For more information, visit www.hcmarketplace.com.



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