Partner Event | Whatcha Say?: Communicating Across An Intergenerational Workforce

Every generation has its own way of communicating, but what happens when those don’t match up? How do you ensure expectations are communicated and working relationships are maintained? In this webinar, we will discuss generational differences in communication and how to work through friction.

Rather than relying on outdated stereotypes, this interactive webinar will tackle difficult topics like sunsetting outdated tasks during transitions, avoiding the trap of comparing new hires to previous staff, and setting crystal-clear expectations. Rather than painting colleagues with a broad brush, this webinar provides practical strategies for setting two-way expectations, resolving conflict constructively, and building a culture where every staff member feels valued - no matter where they are in their career journey.

Presenter: Christie Reale has worked in public libraries since high school, starting with a library page position at the Kannapolis Branch of the Cabarrus County Public Library in 2006. She worked her way up through the library ranks from library assistant to circulation manager to reference librarian to branch manager. She is currently the Deputy Library Director of the Cabarrus County Public Library system.  

Christie earned her MLIS from UNC-Greensboro in 2014. She had the privilege of being a member of the 2016 cohort of the North Carolina Library Association Leadership Institute and a mentor for the 2018 cohort. When not working, Christie is a voracious reader and yoga enthusiast. She lives with her husband and son in Concord, NC.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze real-world library scenarios - from onboarding and desk expectations to feedback delivery - to identify differences in communication styles across generations.
• Implement strategies for clear, empathetic goal-setting during onboarding, task handoffs, and succession planning that allow new employees to own their roles without being shadowed by legacy expectations.
• Apply nuanced approaches to conflict resolution and team management that evaluate employees as individuals rather than rely on generalizations.
   

More Information

This webinar is made available to you via Minitex's membership in the Professional Development Alliance of Consortia and will be hosted by North Carolina LIVE (NC LIVE). Following your registration, you will receive further details regarding your attendance directly from NC LIVE. For further information, please contact devon@nclive.org.