Generational Workplace Dynamics

Why Are Generational Dynamics Important?

Generational shiftChanging Workforce (4 Generations)20-40% eligible for retirement (VRS)

What is a Generation?

A cohort born within a 15-to-20-year span and have a common set of experiences based on defining historic events.

Generational Age Groups

Generation Age Range

National Demographics

Chesterfield Workforce

Traditionalists

69+ 44 Million < 1%

Baby Boomers

50-68 76 Million 36%

Generation X

34-49 62 Million 41%

Millennials 20-33 80 Million 22%

Definitions

Stereotype: a simplified, often negative perception of a particular group Trait: a shared characteristic distinguishing a group’s behavior, attitudes, beliefsStage of Life: shared commonalities of life priorities (20 year span)

Boomer Influences (age 50-68)

Birth of TVCivil Rights MovementVietnamCold WarAssassinationsMan on the Moon

Boomer Traits(age 50-68)

Entitled

Personal gratification

Work centric (60-hour work week)Self-centered (compared to

Traditionalists)Optimistic

Change agents

Transformative

Gen Xer Influences(age 34-49)

The Pill/AbortionChildren of Divorce (highest

rate)Latchkey KidsWatergateChallenger Space Shuttle

ExplosionMTVPersonal Computer

Gen Xer Traits(age 34-49)

Risk takers

Independent

Task-driven/self-directed

Skeptical/pessimistic

First to embrace diversity

Lack loyalty to institutions

Desire work/life balance

Millennial Influences(age 20-33)

Stronger Family UnitsBooming 90sTechnology/Social

MediaMulti-culturalismDigital Natives9/11

Millennial Traits(age 20-33)

Highly-educated

Self-indulgent

Mentor-dependent

Hyper-connected

Optimistic

Ambitious

Generational Mindsets

Boomers GEN X Millennials

Outlook Optimistic Skeptical ConfidentWork Ethic Driven Free Agent GoalsMoney View

Spenders Debtors Savers?

Leadership View

Pay Your Dues

Competence Egalitarian

Work/Life Balance

Work Is Life Work To Live Integrated

Medium TV Computer MobileOrientation Self Centered Self Reliant Collective

Self

Technology Pressures

Consumerization of ITRecruiting Promotions & Advancement Brain DrainMobile, Remote, Anywhere

Technology Action Items

“State of Technology” PresentationOpen Dialog Regarding Technology Access Technology Catalog of Services*Better Social Media Access*Personal Devices (aka BYOD) Policy*

Lessons Learned

Stereotypes are PervasiveLeverage the StrengthsKnowledge Transfer = Culture ChangeDon’t Assume Anything Another Generation…

Thanks!

Contact Info:

Email: CondreyBA@Chesterfield.govPhone: 804-748-1590Twitter: @BarryCondreyBlog: CIO-Musings.blogspot.com