Eric Roberts, "Leadership in the 5 Generation Workplace"

With a long career in management and leadership Eric Roberts recognizes the value and yet the challenge of leading a diverse organization or team. One specific type of diversity that is especially unique to the workplace today is generational diversity. Roberts will share why it is critical for the leader to understand the various experiences and expectations each generation brings to their role as well as some insights on how to maximize each person’s contribution, effectively manage team dynamics and maintain a high level of motivation within the team.

"...the younger generations will bring change, and the smart organizations don't fight what they can't stop. They figure out how much of another generation's approaches they can embrace..." - From our featured book “ Sticking Points” by Haydn Shaw

Eric Roberts joined 20Fathoms as Executive Director in 2021 and under his leadership the organization grew from a small startup incubator and coworking space to become the regional hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in Northwest Michigan. He recently announced his retirement starting in September of 2024 but will remain with 20Fathoms as a Board Member.

Roberts has spent his entire career in technology – from engineering and product management to operations and executive management. His previous positions included executive roles at Saba Software, BlackBerry, Good Technology, and Motorola. Eric Roberts is a 1993 graduate from Michigan Technological University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He later earned an MBA from DePaul. Eric is married to an MTU alumnus, and together they have a college-age daughter. In his spare time, Eric enjoys participating in many of his favorite outdoor activities in beautiful Traverse City.

Never before in the American Workplace have there been 5 generations working alongside each other; from the Traditionalists (born before 1945) to the most recent Gen Z’rs (born starting in 1996). Each of these generations comes in with its own set of unique experiences, attitudes toward managing time, preferred modes of communication and incentives and a host of other diverse characteristics. Although this diversity can create great opportunities for learning and growth, it can also create numerous potential “sticking points.” The author helps leaders better understand and manage these potential sticking points so they do not create a barrier to employee morale and retention or on organizational success and instead, help us all work together for a greater collective result.

11:00am - Doors Open // Sponsor Expo // Networking

11:20-11:45 - Lunch, Open Networking Continues

11:45-12:50 - Welcome, Featured Presentation

12:50-1PM - Q & A and Wrap-up

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