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Panel Discussion: Every Generation Teaches, Every Generation Learns
Panel Discussion: Every Generation Teaches, Every Generation Learns
A Multigenerational Panel on Leadership, Trust, and the Future of Work
Panel Moderation:
Heather Mallette
Panel Members:
Riley Rummels
Jay Martinez
Amira Welch
Samuel Chang
Description
Today's workforce spans more generations than ever — and the leaders who thrive are the ones who adapt their approach, not their standards. Join us for a candid panel discussion exploring how curiosity, not assumptions, builds stronger and more collaborative teams across generational lines. As AI continues to reshape the workplace, adaptability and continuous learning are no longer optional — they're essential. Discover what it takes to build an organization where every generation teaches, every generation learns, and everyone thrives together.
From this panel, you’ll learn how to:
Lead every generation with consistency and flexibility.
Build stronger teams through curiosity instead of stereotypes.
Share cross-generational knowledge to drive success.
Develop the skills that will matter most in the years ahead.
Session: Stop Managing Generations. Start Leading Humans
Session: Stop Managing Generations. Start Leading Humans
Session Leader:
Sheila Eason
Session Description:
Today's workplace spans more generations than ever before, and leaders are inundated with advice about what each generation wants, values, and expects. But what if focusing too much on generational differences is causing us to miss the bigger leadership opportunity? This session challenges conventional thinking by exploring why many workplace tensions labeled as "generational issues" are actually leadership opportunities. Rather than relying on stereotypes or one-size-fits-all approaches, participants will discover how curiosity, intentional communication, and human-centered leadership create trust across every generation. Through interactive discussion, reflection, and practical leadership scenarios, attendees will examine their own assumptions, rethink how they interpret workplace behaviors, and leave with a fresh framework for leading people, not labels.
Participants will learn how to:
Shift from leading through generational assumptions to leading through curiosity and understanding.
Recognize leadership behaviors that unintentionally create division across generations.
Build trust and connection by focusing on universal human needs rather than generational stereotypes.
Apply practical leadership strategies that strengthen communication, engagement, and collaboration across every age group.
Session: Lost in Translation
Session: Lost in Translation
Bridging Communication Across Generations and Cultures
Session Leader:
Erica Parish
Session Description
Today's workplace brings together people with diverse generations, cultures, and communication styles, but those differences can also create misunderstanding and conflict. This interactive session explores how generational and cultural perspectives influence communication and provides practical strategies for building trust, strengthening collaboration, and reducing workplace friction. Drawing on real-world examples and interactive discussion, the session moves beyond generational stereotypes to uncover the shared values and differing expectations that shape how people show up at work. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of their own communication style and actionable tools to communicate more effectively across differences and create more connected, inclusive teams.
Participants will learn how to:
Recognize how generational and cultural experiences shape communication styles, expectations, and workplace values.
Identify common sources of misunderstanding and conflict across generations and cultures and address them constructively before they escalate.
Apply practical strategies for building trust and rapport with colleagues whose communication style differs from their own.
Adapt their own communication approach to strengthen collaboration on cross-generational and cross-cultural teams.
Foster a team culture that treats generational and cultural diversity as a shared strength rather than a source of division.
Session: From Challenge to Strategy
Session: From Challenge to Strategy
SSOE and the City of Toledo on Leading Across Generations
Session Leaders:
Dr. Stephanie Covington
The City of Toledo
Brad Rowe
The SSOE Group
Session Description:
Hear directly from practitioners at SSOE and the City of Toledo as they share candid, real-world accounts of the generational challenges they've faced in the workplace — and the strategies they put into practice to address them. This session goes beyond theory, offering attendees a behind-the-scenes look at what has and hasn't worked, the lessons learned along the way, and practical takeaways they can apply in their own organizations.
Participants will hear firsthand from each organization, then translate those examples into clear, practical takeaways they can apply in their own workplaces. They will learn how to:
Explore the generational and diversity challenges faced by two distinct organizations: a private engineering firm and a municipal government.
Learn adaptable approaches for bridging generational gaps, regardless of sector or organization size.
Understand what worked, what did not, and how these practitioners adjusted their approach along the way.
Leave with concrete strategies and starting points to bring back to your team or organization.
Session: Generations by Design
Session: Generations by Design
Why We Think Differently
Session Leader:
Dr. Willie McKether
Session Description
Every generation is a product of its environment — shaped by the historical events, technology, social movements, and cultural touchstones of its formative years. In this session, participants walk through the process of culture change over time, examining how each generation — from Baby Boomers to Generation Z — was socialized within distinct social, political, and technological contexts. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of why generational differences exist in the first place, laying the groundwork for more empathetic and effective leadership across a multigenerational workforce.
Participants will:
Understand how a roughly 25-year span of shared history, technology, and culture produces common behaviors and attitudes within a generation.
See how defining events — from the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam War to 9/11, COVID-19, and social justice movements — leave lasting imprints on how each generation views work, authority, and trust.
Trace how shifts in technology, from black-and-white TV to AI and social media, have shaped how each generation communicates, learns, and engages.
Explore how attitudes toward authority have shifted — from ascribed, hierarchical leadership to flat, earned, equality-based structures.
Apply a framework for recognizing generational differences as products of socialization, using that understanding to lead with greater empathy and effectiveness.
Session: Bringing It All Together
Session: Bringing It All Together
A Discussant Response
Discussion Leader:
Barbara Singer
Discussants:
Princeton Bryson
Dr. Elizabeth Briody
Session Description:
Following the day's panel discussion and keynote talks from Dr. Tim Elmore and Vince DiPofi, three seasoned professionals’ step in as discussants to reflect on what they heard, share their own assessments, and offer recommendations for putting these ideas into practice. Drawing on their respective experiences, the discussants will connect the dots across the day's presentations, highlight key themes and tensions, and provide practical guidance for attendees looking to apply these insights in their own organizations.
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