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Steamboat Springs — Generation X turned out in full force Friday at Karen Goedert's course on understanding generational differences.

A few baby boomers and even fewer Generation Y representatives also attended to learn about their younger and older counterparts. No one from the World War II generation, the fourth in today's work force, attended.

Goedert, a consultant who runs Resort Recruiters, led the event to help business owners and employers who are facing an unusual challenge.

For the first time, the work force consists of four generations with different needs, desires and characteristics.

Goedert urged managers from resort industries, construction and other fields to be understanding and respectful of workers from various age groups.

"We've come from a time in the world when certain things happened, and we're all programmed," she said.

About 10 people attended the afternoon course at Colorado Mountain College's Alpine Campus. Goedert focused on the best way to manage and lead each generation. She reminded participants to try not to judge.

That isn't always easy, some said. Many said the challenge was figuring out how to work with Generation Y. Goedert defines that group as those born from 1977 to 1990.

Darcy Trask teaches that group as an instructor at CMC. She said it could be a challenge, particularly because some students think they are being condescended to when that isn't her intent.

"I think that's where we have some kind of innate notion that there are some hierarchies, and I think for them the world is very flat," Trask said.

Others noted it was difficult to persuade Generation Y members to show up for work on time. Flexibility on that front can help, Goedert said, citing the example of results-only policies. Companies that have those allow their employees to work whatever hours they wish, as long as their tasks are completed.

The movement has been successful at companies for which that flexibility is possible, Goedert said.

The bottom line, she said, is that managers must learn to work with all generations. There aren't enough Generation X-ers to fill the positions baby boomers are vacating as they leave the work force, she said. Generation Y will have to step up, Goedert said, and employers must compete hard for and cater to those workers.

"I think it's important to figure out where they're coming from, what they want and create goals," she said.

- To reach Blythe Terrell, call 871-4234 or e-mail bterrell@steamboatpilot.com