Mark C. Perna - Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations

Praise for Answering Why

This is an amazing book you can apply to every area of your life. Educators, trainers, and anyone working with young people today will discover the tools and strategies to build direction, motivation, and passion in these pages.

BRIAN TRACY, best-selling author of 86 books

Mark is fantastic at explaining the pressures and expectations weighing on the younger generation entering the workforce. Written for those looking to hire and retain Generations Y and Z, this book outlines who they are and how we can empower them to turn the business world on its head.

CHRISTINE HASSLER, generational expert, keynote speaker, best-selling author

Youth culture today impacts everyoneGen X and Baby Boomers along with Gen Z and Millennial stakeholders. Answering Why will help inform your thinking about how to adjust to an ever-evolving workforce, enabling the reader to create scalable solutions to employee engagement and other workforce opportunities.

JEFF FROMM, president of FutureCast, keynote speaker, author of Marketing to Millennials, Millennials with Kids, and Marketing to Gen Z

Educators have long been searching for a cohesive set of strategies to engage todays young people. In Answering Why, Perna delivers itwhile making a powerful argument for equipping all students in the K12 system with both the academic knowledge and technical skill to be competitive, whether college, technical school, or a career is in their immediate future. Im proud to recommend this book to all parents and educators looking to make a bigger difference for their students!

CHRISTY PERRY, superintendent, Salem-Keizer Public Schools

Engaging. Accurate. Insightful. Mark Perna truly understands how the older and younger generations work (and sometimes dont work) together. His insights will spark productive conversations and challenge the stigmas that have held the younger generations back in todays workforce.

ADAM ROBINSON, founder and CEO of Hireology, author of The Best Team Wins

Mark has created a comprehensive playbook full of insight while dispelling the mainstream myths concerning the younger generations. In addition, he strategically creates a compendium for greater conversations as well as a call to action among school administrators, industry leaders, policymakers and higher education providers. This is an essential read for anyone looking to influence education and the greater global economy while lessening the skills gap crisis.

CYLYNN BRASWELL, executive director of College & Career Readiness at Northwest Independent School District

This book will remind educators and workforce development professionals why they care about students and careers. As a member of the Millennial generation, I found the specific examples and real-world success stories compelling. By opening the conversation with useful and practical steps to reach the Why Generation, Mark Perna is working to reframe mindsets about how we connect students to careers. Answering Why will be the catalyst to change our thinking about this critical topic.

JEN SCHOTTKE, vice president in the construction industry, elected board of education trustee, millennial, and parent

Answering Why is a marvelous tool for workforce development and education organizations across the country. Its an easy read but full of eye-opening insights and actionable steps to connect more effectively with todays up and coming workforce. Parents will also benefit from the strategies to motivate their children to greater performance. Organizations that are looking to build a robust learning and training culture should start with this book. Bravo!

JIMMY E. GREENE, president and CEO of ABC Greater Michigan and Greater Michigan Construction Academy

This is an incredibly important message that will change the face of education and workforce development in this country.

CATHIE RAYMOND, deputy associate superintendent and state director of Career and Technical Education, Arizona Department of Education

What an eye-opening book! Answering Why reveals the vast potential of todays young people and equips us to answer their why. Mark Perna has created the missing piece in the puzzle of the younger generations that weve been trying to solve blindfolded. This book is going to change the game for students and parents everywhere.

PAUL GALBENSKI, 2012 Michigan teacher of the year; dean, Oakland Schools

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher and author are not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Published by Greenleaf Book Group Press

Austin, Texas

www.gbgpress.com

Copyright 2018 Mark C. Perna

All rights reserved.

Thank you for purchasing an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright law. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the copyright holder.

Distributed by Greenleaf Book Group

For ordering information or special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Greenleaf Book Group at PO Box 91869,

Austin, TX 78709, 512.891.6100.

Design and composition by Greenleaf Book Group

Cover design by Greenleaf Book Group

Cover image: Shutterstock.com/arka38

Cataloging-in-Publication data is available.

Print ISBN: 978-1-62634-511-9

eBook ISBN: 978-1-62634-512-6

Audiobook ISBN: 978-1-62634-518-8

Part of the Tree Neutral program, which offsets the number of trees consumed in the production and printing of this book by taking proactive steps, such as planting trees in direct proportion to the number of trees used: www.treeneutral.com

Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper

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First Edition

Contents

Dedication

I was inspired to write Answering Why because all around the country, so many people are asking that very question. Why? Why are we struggling to connect meaningfully with those in generations older and younger than our own? Why are our education and workforce development systems broken? Why is the skills gap expanding in our country, and why is there no easy solution in sight?

As a longtime consultant in the related fields of education and workforce development, I believe there is no more urgent moment than now to start solving these challenges facing our nation. Millions of jobs go unfilled in the United States because employers cant find workers with the right skillsand yet millions of people are un- or underemployed. As the industries that drive our economy falter for lack of qualified people, this skills gap will reach crisis proportions. And we can change this when we start answering the essential question of why.

But even more than that, I wrote this book because I see the urgency for employers, parents, and educators to reach the younger generations. Ive felt this urgency myself as a father to two amazing young men. I believe we can empower todays younger generations to make a bigger difference than ever before. And if the strategies and stories of the work I do can help generations of young people reach their full potential, then together weve changed the world for the better.