Ombuds Author Examines Generational Conflict at Work

Merry Brown, the inaugural Ombuds at the University of Tennessee at Martin, has published a new book, Winning the Generation Wars at Work: Making (Your) Age an Asset, exploring how colleagues of different ages can collaborate more effectively. Drawing on her experience as a workplace mediator, Ombuds, and host of the podcast "Conflict Managed," Brown examines why generational tensions arise and argues that they are often rooted less in age than in assumptions, communication gaps, and unspoken expectations. 

The book offers practical guidance for recognizing what each generation brings to a team, moving beyond stereotypes, and addressing conflict early. Aimed at leaders and employees at every stage of their careers, Brown provides concrete steps for improving dialogue across differences and turning generational friction into an asset for organizational learning and performance. Brown is also the author of other nonfiction works, including How to Be Unprofessional at Work: Tips to Ensure Failure, and two young adult fiction series. The book is widely available in paperback. (Amazon; Barnes & Noble.)

Related posts: Podcast: NGO Ombuds on the Impact of Incorrect Assumptions; Podcast: Managing Work Conflicts: Celebrating the Work of Ombuds Professionals; University of Tennessee at Martin Creates Ombuds Program.