Chasing Relevance: 6 Steps to Understand, Engage, and Maximize Millennial Next-Generation Leaders in the Workplace
by Dan Negroni with Jim Eber

launchbox, Inc.; 2016; 232 pages

This book, despite its impossibly long subtitle, does address the intergenerational differences – for that matter, differences in perspective in general – between managers and those they manage. In case you think this is a new problem, the author starts with a quote from Socrates where the philosopher complains about the “bad manners, contempt for authority, … disrespect for their elders and love [of] chatter in place of exercise” of youth. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose or the more things change, the more they stay the same (from that other critic Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr).

Generally, books that claim 6 (or 8 or 10 or 12) steps to anything are better ignored. That is certainly not true in this case. In addition to his book being ostensibly a guide for how baby-boomer managers can best deal with their younger charges, this is a useful tool for all managers with colleagues of any generation. After setting the stage in the first part of the book by establishing a strong basis for managers, the authors turn to their methodology to “BRIDGE” the gap (a bit contrived but useful):
     Bust Myths
     Real Deal (i.e., be real)
     I Own It (i.e., take ownership)
     Deliver Value
     Goals in Mind (i.e., set them and work toward them)
     Empower Success (celebrate)

Supporting the notion of managing in a way that is effective, the author encourages the pursuit of serving, thinking, coaching.  One key element to this is the point that the author makes that “it’s all simple, it just ain’t easy”.  It is, however, worth it in terms of return.

The book ends with an outline of how to develop a BRIDGE plan, another useful tool. This book is best not consumed in a vacuum but can compliment other materials that are useful to managers, of millennials and others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This book was received for free for review but a positive review was not required. The opinions expressed are my own. This disclosure is in accordance with the United States Federal Trade Commission’s “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” 16 CFR, Part 255.