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Generation NOW: Surviving and Thriving with Multiple Generations in
the WorkplaceBack in Circulation AgainMadison, Wisconsin October 15, 2012
Lori [email protected]
Why might it be important to learn about different
generations?
To: Help DeskSubject: My computer
Remember that problem you fixed the other day. It’s happening again. Can you come fix it right away.
WTF
WTF? Why is he such a PITA? Yeah we’ll fix your problem…next year.
Professor Walter T. Franklin
I sure like those Help Desk guys.
I want to be friendly so I’ll sign my name with my initials
W.T.F.
Image Source: http://therubicon.org/2009/04/generational-differences/
Learning Objectives:• What do we mean by
generations• Define each generation• Strengths and challenges of
each generation• How generations approach
change• Tips to improve communication
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Why we are the way we are?
education
generationpersonal
experiences
?????????
What do we mean by
generations?
Generations are defined bytheir shared experiences
Trends that affect
generational change
Parenting Styles
Technology
Life Span
Life Expectancy
Celebrities, Icons, Heroes
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Conditions
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Matures or Veterans or
Traditionalists • Born 1928-1945
• Age 66 and
older*
* As of 2011
Matures or Veterans or
Traditionalists
Events•WWI•WWII•Korean War•Great Depression•Invention of atomic bomb
Matures or Veterans or
Traditionalists
Matures or Veterans or
Traditionalists
Heroes
Matures or Veterans or
Traditionalists
Values•Hard work•Loyalty•Work toward a common goal•Faith in government and institutions•Saving money
LOYAL
Boomers• Born 1946 – 1964• Ages 47 - 65*
* As of 2011
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BabyBoomers
BabyBoomers
Events•Civil Rights Act•Alaska and Hawaii become states•Vietnam War•MLK assassinated•Nixon becomes president•Neil Armstrong walks on the moon•Watergate•TV
BabyBoomers
TV Sets in Homes•1952 4 million•1960 50 million
BabyBoomers
Values and Traits•Women’s and Civil Rights•Competitive•Questioned their upbringing•Saw some flaws in the world and tried to fix them
OPTIMISTIC
Gen X• Born 1965 – 1980• Age 46 – 31
* As of 2011 Gen X
Events• 1st home
computers TRS-80 and Commodore
• Iran hostage crisis
• John Lennon assassinated
• Challenger explosion Gen X
Events• Divorce rate
TRIPLED while Xers were growing up
• Latch key kids• AIDS• Crack cocaine• Child abductions• Perceived threat
of nuclear war Gen X
Values and Traits• Independent
• Resourceful• Cautious• Self-command
(no one will do it for me)
• Faith in self, less faith in institutions
• No common heroSKEPTICAL
Gen X
Gen Y / Millenials
• Born 1981 - 1999
• Ages 12-30*• The next baby
boom generation
* As of 2011
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Events• Berlin Wall falls• AOL• 1st consumer
level digital camera
• IPod• MySpace• Technology
explosion• School shootings• Lockdowns•REALISTIC
Millennial
Millennial
Characteristics• Appreciation for
diversity• Exposed to a lot –
travel, day care, technology, media
• Expect workplace to reflect diversity
• Been involved in every family decision
Millennial
Matures Boomer Gen X Gen Y
Birth 1928-1945 1946-1964 1965-1980 1981-1999
Family Traditional Disintegrating Latch key kids Blended
Education A dream A birthright A way to get there A huge expense
Values •“We” first•Military•Respect•Conformity•Timeliness
•Loyal to “me”•Team oriented•Competitive•Workaholics•Face time
•“Prove it to me”•Work/Life Balance•Why?•Responsible for own success•Must believe in leader
•“Work hard=reward”•Instant gratification•Hive mind•Job not a way of life but means to provide for outside activities•“Army of 1”•Adult-o-lescence
Heroes Army, Navy(not individuals)
MLKJKF
No common hero Family or someone they know or met (individual)
Matures Boomer Gen X Gen Y
Birth 1928-1945 1946-1964 1965-1980 1981-1999
In a word Loyal Optimistic Skeptical Realistic
Leadership in a few words
Chain of command
Change of command Self command Don’t command – collaborate!
Career Goals Build a legacy
Build a stellar career Build a portable career
Build parallel careers
Preferred Rewards
Satisfaction of a job well done. Alternative scheduling. Recognition.
Money, title, recognition. Shifting to value of time. Time to care for children AND aging parents.
Freedom. Time off. Relaxed dress code. Portable benefits.
Work that has meaning. Fun environment. Work in teams. Resume building.
Balance Shifting the balance
Help me balance myself and everyone else
Balance now not when I’m 65
Work is not everything
Retirement Reward Retool Renew Recycle
Job Changing Stigma Puts you behind Necessary Part of daily routine
Matures Boomer Gen X Gen Y
Birth 1928-1945 1946-1964 1965-1980 1981-1999
Feedback No news is good news
Once a year How am I doing? At the push of a button!
Training I learned the hard way so can you.
Train too much and they will leave.
The more they learn, the more they stay.
Lifelong learning is a way of life.
46Image Source http://virtualschooling.files.wordpress.com
What one thing will you do differently as a result of
today’s session?