Marine Fabricator March/April 2024 - 19

operate more or less the same for the
past several years, young employees are
likely to struggle to adapt to it or feel
like they belong. "
That doesn't mean that there aren't
genuine challenges in having a multigenerational
workforce come together.
Tugs-of-war, says Sladek, emerge in all
aspects of work because workplaces are
now " experiencing a clash between [older]
generations raised learning a hierarchical
approach to work and [younger]
generations raised learning a collaborative
approach to work. Today's young
people are informed, well-educated and
have acquired entirely new skill sets, and
there's real value in collaborating and
team-building and flattening the hierarchy, "
she says.
For Halladay, that means, in part,
tamping down his own ego. " I have to
meet [younger people] where they are, "
he says. " Older individuals have more
lived experiences and can draw from
more lessons. Younger team members
need to fail sometimes, so I let them.
With both, I offer suggestions, ask
questions and follow up to keep them
accountable. I use many of the teachings
from motivational interviewing and am
currently coaching our leadership team
to do the same. We want a team of
leaders that can solve problems and take
calculated risks, and I feel this is the best
way to achieve that. "
Bringing workers together
" The service industry that we cater to
requires new ideas, technology, products
and services, " says Belliveau. " However,
there needs to be a balance and a blend
from the traditions and experiences of
the past with the new ideas and more efficient
techniques of the future. " That's
why, he says, finding younger employees
who really care and want to be involved
is key, while older employees " who have
over time made significant contributions
to the company also have to continue
to be respected, rewarded and encouraged
to work cooperatively with the
NextGen workers. "
And the opportunities are definitely
there. Halladay cites Jeff Liker's book The
Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from
the World's Greatest Manufacturer, in which
Liker expands on Toyota's seven wastes of
manufacturing by adding an eighth-unused
teammate creativity. " Creating a culture
where people are encouraged to be
themselves and solve problems has helped
our team bond and collaborate on more
significant issues, " Halladay says. " But
they need to see themselves as a team, not
" Younger team
members need to
fail sometimes, so
I let them. I offer
suggestions, ask
questions and
follow up to keep
them accountable. "
Clint Halladay
SewLong Custom Covers
LEFT: For the younger generation, being
aware of their expectations and their
opportunities is key. Photo: Laura Kinser,
Kinser Studios
RIGHT: Jeff Butler, CEO of JButler
International and keynote speaker at
Advanced Textiles Expo 2023, says clarity
around differing workplace expectations
can be discussed during the hiring process.
Photo: ©
Mark Skalny Photography
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Marine Fabricator March/April 2024

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