Thank you for your interest and the opportunity to speak and write about my recently released book. I am always happy to answer any questions and pass on insights on cross-generational concerns in what is now a work world of at least three and as many as five generations striving to work harmoniously, productively and profitably together. There is so much potential that is not being tapped! And I hope and work toward changing that.
What is the main message of Embrace GENgagement?
The power and potential of generational/age diversity is a vital missing piece that informs and influences attitudes and behaviors regarding all other aspects of diversity and needs to be incorporated into both employee and client experience. It shines a spotlight on the essential role interpreting and understanding typical generational attributes, assets and preferences play in harmonious and productive relationships at work: what when and how to integrate this vital knowledge for inclusion and equity in multigenerational, multi-cultural workplace relationships, with practical, specific action steps, examples and stories.
Who is your book written for/ Who would get the most out of reading your book?
The purpose of the book is to promote understanding and conversation and harmonious work relationship-building among the various levels, generations, and functions of the legal workforce. So it is written for: all generations, lawyers at all levels in law firms and legal departments; professional staff; department directors/managers; (including marketing, business development, professional development, IT, HR, Recruiting, Knowledge Management). While that’s a broad audience within the legal community, in order to unite the generations, they all need to be reading the same information as a basis for discussion and action. Here are tangible benefits readers will get from reading and applying the steps in this book:
- Take the stress, frustration and negative energy out of working with people of different generations so you understand and accomplish common goals – and do it faster with more engaged and committed workers
- Build confidence in all generations that you are prepared to gain and retain clients and other external stakeholders of all generations
- Provide action steps and tools for winning over other generations and be an effective “bridge” leading change with empath
- Start the conversations that enable you and your colleagues to thrive in work and life
- Use tips for maintaining relevance at each stage of your career and new ways for meaningful contributing
It will help you be an agent of positive change to humanize business in a collaborative manner and foster a culture of camaraderie.
What experience, knowledge or special training helped you to write this book?
I have been a trailblazing marketing/business development and organizational effectiveness consultant to law firms for three decades. And I have been focusing on helping professional services organizations solve their intergenerational challenges since 2004, which earned me the reputation of “the cross-generational voice.” This is my third book for the legal community, after The Rainmaking Machine – now in its 30th edition, and The Marketer’s Handbook of Tips & Checklists. It’s the second one focusing on generational issues at work, following You Can’t Google It! – The Compelling Case for Cross-Generational Conversation at Work. During my evolving career, I have delivered programs, workshops, webinars, thought leadership and podcast appearances and have authored countless articles, blogs for legal publications, associations and firms on those areas of focus.
What problems faced by lawyers does Embrace GENgagement solve/address?
A wide variety of generationally-based and related issues and challenges that often cause tensions, frustrations and interfere with productivity and feelings of belonging such as:
- How to build rapport and trust among people of all generations and ages in both internal teams and with external stakeholders.
- Strategies for attracting and retaining clients of different generations.
- The importance of giving young generations in firms a voice and roles in policy and succession planning, and steps to take.
- Understand how the intersectionality of generation/age and other diversity factors is key to a thriving organizational culture of inclusion, engagement and belonging.
- How to break down barriers to knowledge transfer and smooth succession.
- How to have the conversations each generation wants to have to maximize working relations and multigenerational collaboration among lawyer colleagues and with staff.
- How to maximize relationships and productivity with diversity and inclusion, primarily age diversity and the intersectionality with other diversity factors: race/ethnicity and gender.
- Tips when older partners and staff are reporting to younger managers (which is becoming increasingly prevalent).
- And much more.
How is this book different than other books written on this topic and/or what is new or different?
In the book, I have addressed, cross-generationally, strategies and tactics for attracting, retaining and sustaining productive and profitable relationships both internally and with clients and other external stakeholders of different generations. bulleted tips and checklists (a format people love that’s easy to read, grasp and use) – a series of recipes or actions steps and tips on a great variety of topics and challenges, each introduced by a paragraph describing the challenge, opportunity or purpose. What is especially appealing about this format is that it saves the reader time in getting to the meat of what they need to know and how to use the information. It is insightful and concise. It’s a short, meaty, to the point everyday reference – not just a read and forget product. New topics can be added in future years as relevant.
This subject matter is valuable for all levels since it addresses issues for all generations at work.
This book is an everyday resource to consult for successfully navigating the whitewater of generational differences and collaboration that are threatening personnel retention and productivity. It provides specific action steps to follow as each type of generational and cultural challenge arises.
The format is a key aspect of the book’s appeal and usefulness. It is supremely practical and action oriented. It will be an everyday resource, not a one-time read.
What was your biggest challenge in writing this book?
Boiling down the tremendous amount of material I have to my concise bullet point format, which will save readers considerable time in finding exactly what they want answers to.
What do you think will surprise readers most about your book?
How much substance and action steps are packed into this relatively short book.
What is the most important takeaway readers will get from Embrace GENgagement?
How integral intergenerational factors are to understanding, interaction, productivity and profitability. They should not ignore that big missing piece and need to give intergenerational issues and challenges a seat at the diversity, equity & inclusion and management table in decision-making.
About The Author:
Phyllis Weiss Haserot is the foremost workplace multigenerational expert speaking with a cross-generational voice. A “uniter,” she brings the power of cross-generational conversation and collaboration to solve the urgent problems and nuances of attracting and retaining clients and employees of different generations, cross-generational culture, achieving effective multigenerational teams, knowledge transfer, and succession planning. Phyllis works with organization leadership and multi-generational teams focused on both external and internal stakeholder relationships. She leads workshops, forums, and masterminds for professionals and student and alumni communities.
Phyllis is President of Practice Development Counsel, a business development and organizational effectiveness consultancy and a frequent speaker, podcast guest and blogger on intergenerational relations issues. Author of the best-selling The Rainmaking Machine (Thomson Reuters, in its 30th edition), her new book for ABA/Law Practice titled Embrace GENgagement, You Can’t Google it!: The Compelling Case for Cross-Generational Conversation at Work (Morgan James Publishing), and countless articles for the legal media, Phyllis is a member of the ABA Law Practice Section and Women Rainmakers.
