Park Road Plaza: Lessons in Life, Leadership and Generational Diversity

By Jeff Ireland

Generational diversity has become a mainstream topic over the past decade due to the recent changes and advancements in workplace technology, the entry of college graduates into the workforce, and the late exit of baby boomers from the workforce. Managers are left to lead a multigenerational team with little understanding of the leadership and management skills it requires.

Surveys indicate that fully 60 percent of employers report tensions between employees of different generations. As a generalization, older staff members have low opinions about their younger colleagues work ethics, and younger employees have poor opinions about their older counterparts abilities to adapt to the changing times.

This book follows the journey of Alex Steele as he seeks to gain a better understanding of the differences between these generations and what makes them tick. Throughout the course of this book, he discovers not only the skill to lead but the skills to live a full and fulfilling life. In the end, he emerges with a better understanding of people and, more importantly, a better understanding of himself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524617189

Jeff Ireland

Jeff Ireland has been the retail service industry for over 20 years. He lives in Concord North Carolina wife and three children. Jeff has given motivational and informational speeches on national and international stages. His honest approach in life and his other writings are both educational and inspiring. For more information or comments are welcome he can be reached at [e-mail]

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© 2016 Jeff Ireland. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/11/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5246-1719-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-1718-9 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Dedication

Preface

Prologue

Chapter 1 The Challenge

Chapter 2 The Traditionalist

Chapter 3 The Shoeshine Man

Chapter 4 The Baby Boomer

Chapter 5 The First Step in Leadership

Chapter 6 Generation X

Chapter 7 The Second Step in Leadership

Chapter 8 Generation Y

Chapter 9 The Third Step in Leadership

Chapter 10 Motivating Yourself

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

Dedication

To the Memories of

My Dad

My Mom

My Sister Sandee

Preface

After months of research on the topics of generational diversity and leadership, a friend and I put together a well-received presentation on both topics for a speech I did in 2013. My wife, Arlene, told me I should write another book using the speech as a starting point. Therefore, I began the journey of writing a business book, one that could help people of all ages understand their work environment better, regardless of profession, background, culture or age.

My journey, like most journeys, took some expected turns but also many unexpected ones. We go from stage to stage in this life, changing as we go. What started out to be a business book began taking on a life of its own. As the chapters progressed, one thing became very clear, this was more than just a business book.

In business, conventional wisdom tells you that there are lines you should not cross. The common refrain is don’t mix business and politics or business and religion.

Nevertheless, I have discovered that one of the hardest skills to master is the understanding that we’re not in control of many things. I have learned to approach what the Lord puts in front of me with confidence, optimism, and faith. Therefore, when I began to learn life lessons on this adventure, I knew I had to incorporate those into this book.

Things in life may not always turn out the way we like, and seldom the way we planned, though they always turn out the way they are supposed to turn out.

It is in that spirit that I believe this book is what it is supposed to be, a work I like to call a spiritual business book. I present it with faith that God will get it to the people who will enjoy and benefit from the journey.

Jeff Ireland

Prologue

It was a crisp, November night the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I was driving home to spend some much needed time with my family when the cell phone rang. It was my boss, Phil.

I’m assuming you heard the news? he started with slight enthusiasm in his tone. You better get some rest tomorrow and enjoy your day off! he continued. We’re interviewing people bright and early Friday morning.

Our conversation was brief. It was filled with excitement and concern as well as a little lingering shock. The first I had heard of the possible merger came to my ears merely two days before. It all happened so quickly, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it.

Phil started a food brokerage business nearly 14 years ago. I was one of his first employees who came in with lots of experience in every aspect of the retail service industry and lots of drive. It wasn’t long before his small startup company expanded to an organization of 50 people, 8 of which now reported to me. The new merger meant that we were to develop a new dedicated customer support team consisting of 350 people that managed different aspects of one retail outlet. The exciting-and equally disconcerting-news was that all those people would now report to me.

We only had 30 days to get the new team up and running. Thirty days! A mere month to complete hiring, setting up the office (including phones and computers), and putting a workable infrastructure into place! Finalizing the structure promised to consume all energy and thought for the next 6 months. We would have to work on getting this team up and running like a well-oiled machine. After that, things should settle down to a manageable level.

It was an enormous task, and I had the general logistics of how I wanted it to run. However, I still felt like something was missing… something huge. What could it be? What was bothering me? There was a critical piece missing. I sensed it. I felt it in my business bones and being. What was it exactly? How could I manage, connect, and bring it all together?

I knew I could do this, but I just needed an extra push in the right direction. I felt like an ancient general about to go into battle. I had made all the necessary preparations, but I still required some type of a sign, a harbinger that would tell of upcoming success.

Lost in thought, I almost missed the sharp right turn that would guide me into our local pharmacy. My wife, Maggie, asked me to stop and pick up a few prescriptions on the way home. As I got out of the car and headed towards the pharmacy, I saw what some would call a bum leaning his shoulder against the brick of the pharmacy building. He was thin, long, and lanky with a patchy beard that covered a kind face and bright smile. I couldn’t help but notice the strangest mole just below his left eye. It was really big.

Of course, I thought about helping him, but I must confess I didn’t want to be bothered with anything at that moment. I am afraid that on this night, filled with the crisis of a sudden seismic shift in my career, I didn’t want to stop for anyone. I shifted my gaze towards the ground to avoid eye contact, but that did not deter this man from reaching out with his words.

That’s a very pretty car, he said, speaking about my Lincoln Town Car.

Thanks, I said quickly, only glancing at him once to avoid running into him.

What’s the year? he asked.

I paused, thought about it for a moment, and told him. I expected a plea for money to come, but one never did.

For some reason, I stood there silently in the cold drizzle of the rain when something inside me said, ask if he needs any help. I was sure that he would say yes, but I obeyed the inner voice I learned to listen to long ago.

Do you need any help? I offered, doing my best to awaken the angel of my better nature. He was a slow riser. Then, the man with the large mole answered in three simple but profound words. I’ll never forget them.

Don’t we all? he said.

I had reduced this man in my mind to an epidermal flaw, but I was blown away by his gentle voice of truth.

Don’t we all?

Surely, I was blinded by the illusion of pride, feeling so high, successful, and important until those three words blasted me like a gun.

We sure do. I sure do need help.

I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the night. I thanked him for the great advice and wished him well. He just shrugged and smiled.

What is your name? I inquired. People need names when they become real to you.

My name is Ben, he said. Ben Hooton. I’m just hitting a rough patch, and I appreciate your generosity.

He walked off towards the bus stop with his long, gangly stride, still wearing that face-spanning smile.

It was kind of haunting, really, as I walked to the store with those words echoing in my head, Don’t we all?

This big job promotion meant little if I couldn’t learn to accept help from others and remain humble. Maybe, I could swallow my pride, soften my heart and hard head, learn from other people, and gain some true understanding about managing and leading a large team.

I stood there in the parking lot of the Park Road Plaza in the cold drizzle. Rooted to that mundane but sacred spot, aware of only the cold wetness on my face, I was transfixed by the silence and emptiness that always precedes true vision and illumination. There,