Transcript Generations In The Workplace

Generations In The
Workplace
What is a Generation?
•
A group of individuals born and
living about the same time.
•
A group of contemporaries
regarded as having common
cultural or social characteristics
and attitudes: “They're the BabyBoomer Generation.”
Who’s Working Today?
• Traditionalists/Matures (1920-1943)
• Baby Boomers (1944-1964)
• Generation X (1965-1980)
• Millennials (1980-2000)
What words would
other generations use
to describe your
generation?
The events and
conditions each of us
experience during our
formative years help
define who we are and
how we view the world
Your generation is just
one of the factors that
influences adult behavior
Other Influences:
Gender
Ethnicity
Race
Personal Identity
Sexual Orientation
Traditionalists/Matures (1920-43)
Experiences:
Values:
• Great Depression
• Loyalty
• World War II
• Hard Work
• Korean War
• Duty Before Pleasure
• Honor
• Sacrifice
Baby Boomers (1944-64)
Experiences:
Values:
• Civil Rights
• Personal Gratification
Movement
• Downsizing
• Sexual Revolution
• Workaholics
• Cold War
• Respect Authority
• Assassinations
• Seniority
Generation X (1965-80)
Experiences:
Values:
• MTV
• Independence
• Affirmative Action
• Work/Family Balance
• Latchkey Kids &
• Loyalty- Boss vs. Co.
Single Moms
• Computers
• Rebel Role Models
• Accepts Diversity &
Technology
Millennials (1980-2000)
Experiences:
• War on Terrorism
• Child-Focused World & Helicopter Parents
• A-for-Effort
• Technology
• Globalism
Millennials (1980-2000)
Values:
• Patriotism & Heroes
• Parent Relationships
• Confidence
• Multiculturalism & Teamwork
• Immediate & Informal Communication
Communication Between
the Generations:
Older generations have more formal
ways of communicating
•
•
•
•
Writing
Meetings
Speaking
Feedback
Communication Impact
• Comments that seem informative and
helpful to older generations may seem
“preachy” to younger generations
• Older generations want meetings
instead of spontaneous discussions
Feedback
• Traditionalists- “No news is good
news”
• Boomers- “Feedback once a year and
lots of documentation”
• Xers- “Sorry to interrupt but how am I
doing?”
• Millennials- “Feedback at the push of
the button”
Example:
Xers & Millennials will question rules and
ask for accommodations.
Traditionalists & Boomers think that rules
should be followed without question