Generational Style Assessment (Self Discovery Series)

The demographics of our workplaces are changing dramatically. Because of these changes, now more than ever managers need to effectively manage staff who are at different stages of their lives. Understanding the differences that variances in age bring to the work place helps us to more successfully manage and/or interact with different age groups.

The main aims of this instrument are to:

•     Raise awareness of the behavioural characteristics for each group

•     Identify your relating styles

•     Present a working model that can be used to appropriately adapt or flex your relating style

•     Provide a mechanism through which age related differences can be aired and discussed

A Personal Action Plan is provided in the back of the booklet to help you plan what actions you will take to continue improving your ability to manage the different generations. Interpretive information on each of the styles and age groups is also provided.

How this instrument is scored

This competency-based instrument uses 12 scenarios with multiple choice responses. You assume, for the purposes of the assessment, that you are the team leader or mentor in each of the scenarios and select the action you would be most likely to take.

The four styles are supporting, building, empowering and steering. The profile also defines the patterns or styles of thinking and behaviour that generally relate to the four age groups of the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50-plus. Applying this tool with a group provides a mechanism through which age-related differences could be openly aired and addressed.