leading across generations in the workplace -jeanna
TRANSCRIPT
Dr. Jeanna Mastrodicasa
Associate Vice President of Agricultural and Natural Resources
University of Florida
@drjtothemastro
Leading Across Generations in
the Workplace
Generations
• Perceived membership in a common generation
• A set of age locations, common beliefs and
behaviors
• A common location in history
• Broad generalization about an entire generation
Generations • Lost Generation (1880-2000)
• GI Generation (born 1901-24)
• Silent Generation (born 1925-42)
• The Boom Generation (born 1943-60)
• Generation X (born 1961-81)
• Millennials/Gen Y (born 1982-1999)
• Generation Z (born 2000-present)
Millennials: The Entitled
• Children of Baby Boomers• Parents wait until later in life, more affluent• “Baby on Board” signs• Marketing to children increases: Barney, Hanson,
Spice • Family decision making, e.g. vacations• Politicians started talking about effects on children
for first time• “Helicopter parents”• Strong sense of entitlement and high expectations
of personal reward
Different relationships with parents
• Perpetual access to parents (cell phones) keeps
them in a permanent state of dependency
• Today’s children don’t know how to solve
problems or to plan ahead
• Median frequency of communication: 1.5 times
per day
• Parents do problem solving for college students
and new professionals in work world
Theory of
“Emerging
Adulthood” (Arnett)
• A developmental phase
between ages 18 and 35 when
people assume adult
responsibilities more gradually
than previous generations.
• At the same time, these
individuals claim rights of
adulthood.
“Electronic Tether” (Fullman)
• Describes connection students and parents maintain through cell phones, IM, and other cheap and convenient communication.
• Extends “Emerging Adulthood” to describe the role technology plays in extending relationships with home instead of creating independence.
• Delays development of Chickering’s “Autonomy” vector.
Generation Z
• “want everything, everywhere, and immediately”
• Idols include internet stars
• Easier to talk online than in person
• Engaged in self-education
• FOMO: “fear of missing out”
• Interested in running their own company
• Short attention span
• success comes from their "network" rather than from
qualifications and they prefer a flat organization to a hierarchy
at work
Benhamou, 2015
Freestyle generation
--From Kruger (2016)
Generation Z Plans
--From Kruger (2016)
Use of Technology and
Communication
Internet usage
Cell phones and texting
• Cell phone calls are viewed as an interruption, impolite if
unscheduled.
• Many rely on voice mail and return call by text or email
• Caller ID has role in decision of answering the telephone
Smartphone ownership
The 4G Workplace: Ricoh
Europe Study (2015)
The 4G Workplace: Ricoh
Europe Study (2015)
Main Attractors to a company
for Generation Z are…• Work-life balance (48%) (#1 for Millennials)
• Working with great people (47%)
• Flexible working hours (42%)
• Great perks (42%)
• Job security (42%) (#1 for Baby Boomers)
HIGH FRUSTRATION WITH EMPLOYERS
Global workplace of extreme mobility
Generation Z in the Workplace
• By 2019, Generation Z will make up 20% of
the workforce
• Very focused on *finding* the job…
• Find ways to tap into social media:
• Recruit for job applicants
• Work on team projects
• Set guidelines and policies
• Portray your company’s culture
PWC study recommendations
• Retention of employees comes from making an emotional connection with them:
1. balance and workload
2. Engaging work, development and opportunities
3. People and team (community)
4. Competitive pay and job opportunities
PWC study recommendations
• Create a flexible work culture
• Fully leverage technology
• Increase transparency around compensation,
rewards, and career decisions
• Build a sense of community
• Evaluate the impact that millennials may have on
the contingent work force strategy of your
organization
• Invest time, resources, and energy to listen and
stay connected with your people
Resources
• Pew Research Center research:
http://www.pewglobal.org/2016/02/22/smartphone-ownership-
and-internet-usage-continues-to-climb-in-emerging-economies/
• Ricoh Europe: The 4G workplace. http://thoughtleadership.ricoh-
europe.com/eu/4G-workplace/
• PWC NextGen Study: http://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/people-
organisation/publications/nextgen-study.html
• Telefonica Global Millennial Survey:
http://survey.telefonica.com/meet-the-millennials/europe/
Thank you!
For a list of references and
resources, please contact
Jeanna Mastrodicasa at
Follow me on Twitter:
@DrJtotheMastro