Dealing/Managing Generational Differences

Dealing/Managing Dealing/Managing Generational DifferencesGenerational Differences

Dealing/Managing Dealing/Managing Generational DifferencesGenerational Differences

Presented by:Cathy Dunlap & Donna Morris

August 11, 2011

Created by:

Toni Holder & Donice Mack

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Defining a Generation

• External events and conditions experienced during formative years

define who we are

how we view the world

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Objectives

• Identify 4 generations in the workplace

• Compare and contrast their values

• Identify potential problems when different generations fail to communicate effectively

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Diversity - A Broad Scope

• Generational differences are one aspect of diversity

• Diversity – concept rooted in our beliefs of fair play, accepting differences, respecting others and eliminating stereotypes from our dealing with individuals

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Each generation is shaped by specific external events…

Current Events

Economy

Culture

Shaping a Generation

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When considering generational differences, certain generalities are utilized…..

Not everyone in a specific generation will exhibit ALL of these characteristics

Caution!

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TRADITIONALISTS (Matures)

(pre-1946)

52 Million: 5-7% of the workplace

BABY BOOMERS

(1946-1964+/-)

75 Million: 15-55% of the workforce

GENERATION X

(1964-1980+/-)

45 Million: 35-45% of the workforce

MILLENNIALS (Gen Y)

(1980-2000+/-)

70 Million: 2-5% of the workplace

Who are the Generations?

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TRADITIONALISTS

• Great Depression• New Deal • World War II• Korean War• Increased role of Federal

Government

BABY BOOMERS

• Civil Rights & Sexual Revolution• Cold War• Space Travel• Assassinations• Woodstock & Earth Day• Post War Prosperity

GENERATION X

• Fall of Berlin Wall• Watergate• Women’s Liberation• Desert Storm• Energy Crisis/Stock Market

Crash of ‘87

MILLENNIALS

• Columbine Shooting• Oklahoma City Bombing• Dot Com Boom• Prosperity/Opportunity• Sept 11, 2001• Clinton/Lewinsky

Events & Experiences

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TRADITIONALISTS

StrengthsDisciplined, Experienced, Committed

ChallengesChange, Meritocracy, Technology

BABY BOOMERS

StrengthsIdealistic, “Can Do” attitude, Seek to please

ChallengesJudgmental, Self-centered,Control/competition

GENERATION X

StrengthsIndependent, Results-oriented,Creative/adaptable

ChallengesPeople/political savvy, Impatient, Cynical

MILLENNIALS

StrengthsMulti-taskers, Committed to mission, Team player, Tolerant of differences

ChallengesLofty expectations, Technology demanding, Work-Life balance

Strengths & Challenges

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TRADITIONALISTS

Hard work & disciplined Duty before pleasure Conformist Loyal/dedicated Conservative Patriotic Respects rules

BABY BOOMERS

Optimistic Achievement-oriented Workaholic Self-importance Personal growth Challenge authority Team player

GENERATION X

Independent/self-reliant Skeptical Disloyal Survivors Informal Techno literacy Respects diversity

MILLENNIALS

Optimistic Achievement oriented Respects authority/civic duty Open-minded/tolerant Respects diversity Techno savvy Entitled Confident

Traits & Values

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• Appreciate & respect their experience

• Provide structure & hierarchical environment

• Use them as mentors

• Provide flexible work options

• Structure technology training carefully

• Use human interface

• Reward their experience & indicate their status

• Seen as a minority in the workplace, but hold much of the authority

Working With Traditionalists

• Mistrust Boomers & Xers because their basic values are not in

sync

• Could be excellent mentors to Millennial because they share many values

• Do not understand Millennia's lack of work ethic, or their dependence on technology

Traditionalists/Matures

1909 - 1945

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Traditionalists/Matures (1909 – 1945)

Men’s Fashion

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Women’s Fashion

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Men’s Hair Style

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Women’s Hair Style


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Songs• Scott Joplin

Maple Leaf Rag, Treemonisha, Something doing, Magnetic Rag, Weeping Willow, Pleasant Moments, Ragtime Waltz, The Entertainer

• Billie HolidaySummertime, Night and Day, Lover Man,

Solitude

• Duke EllingtonTake the “A” Train, Cotton Trial

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• Ella FitzgeraldA Tisket A Tasket

• Cab CallawayHep, Hep; The Jumping Jive

• Nat “King” ColeSweet Lorraine, Get Your Kicks on Route 66,

Straighten Up 7 Fly Right, It’s Only a Paper Moon

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• Bum Rap

• Bust Your Chops

• Buzz Fix

• Geezer

• Gas

• Drop

• Fat-Head


Vocabulary

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* * * Bill Crosby * * *Comedian, Author, Actor, Activist

Born 1937

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* * * Diahann Carroll * * *Singer and Actress

Born 1935

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Why Learn About Generations?

• Changing demographics

• Understand impact in the workplace

• Increase personal competency in communication

• Promote teamwork

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• Recognition/reward/give credit

• Provide opportunity to work in teams but stress individuality & independence

• Work to build consensus; gather their input

• Provide opportunities for professional & personal development

• Capture their experience

• They want to achieve success on their own

Working With Baby Boomers

• Distrust Traditionalists as too conforming

• Don’t understand the skepticism of Xers

• See Xers as opportunists, disloyal “job-jumpers”

• Don’t place as much emphasis on technology as Xers & Millennial

• View Millennial as spoiled

Baby Boomers

1946 - 1964

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Baby Boomers (1946 – 1964)

Men’s Fashion

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Women’s Fashion

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Men’s Hair Style

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• Aretha Franklin Rock Steady, Chain of Fools

• Smokey RobinsonTracks Of My Tears, Ooo Baby Baby, In Case You Need Love

• Marvin GayeWhat’s going on

• TemptationsI Can't Get Next To You, It's Your Thing

Songs

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• Blast

• Boss

• Bread

• Bummer

• Clean

• Cool It

Vocabulary

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President & First Lady Michelle ObamaBorn 1961 (Barack) & 1964 (Michelle)

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* * * Denzel Washington * * *Actor, Screenwriter, Director, and Film Producer

Born 1954

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Failure to Communicate……..

May Impact

• Turnover rates

• Tangible costs (recruitment, hiring, training, retention)

• Intangible costs (employee morale)

• Grievances & Complaints

• Perceptions of fairness & equity

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• Allow autonomy

• Requires immediate feedback

• Provide opportunity for continued learning/development

• Notion of non-linear retention

• Open communication, information flow

• Access to decision-makers

• Challenge, fun, excitement

• See themselves as strong, survivors

• Money is their guiding principle

Working With Generation X

• View Traditionalists as out of touch & Boomers as naïve

• Prefer not to work in collaboration with others; does not share

Millennials preference for team-work

• Not afraid to buck tradition in the name of

progress

• What’s in it for me?

• Does not understand Millennial’s need for structure & feedback

Generation X

1965 - 1978

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Generation X (1965 – 1978)

Men’s Fashion

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Women’s Fashion


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Men’s Hair Style

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• Commodores Brick House, Easy,

Three Times a Lady

• Jackson 5ABC, Never Can Say Goodbye, I Want You Back

• Diane RossAin’t No Mountain High Enough, Touch Me In the Morning, Reach Out and Touch

(Somebody’s Hand)

Songs

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• Bad• Stoned• Can You Dig It• Boogie• Brick House• Freak-Out• May The Force Be With You• Tuff• Dig It• Blood• Dude• Funky• Split


Vocabulary

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* * * Will Smith * * *Pop Rapper, Actor, and Film Producer

Born 1968

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Actress, Fashion Model, Beauty Queen

Born 1966

* * * Halle Berry * * *

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* * * Shaquille (Shaq) O’Neal * * *Professional Athlete

Born 1968

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Leadership Challenges

• Create a work environment that fosters inclusion

• Learn what is important to each individual employee

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• Provide structure, guidance, positive reinforcement

• Ask for their input, give feedback often

• Team collaborative work projects

• Updated technology

• Emphasize projects, not time

• Provide challenging & increase responsibility

• Feels entitled

• Seeks clear mission, policies, & values

• Seeks work-life balance

• Lacks social/political skills, self-confidence, but has high self-esteem

Working With Millennials

• Doesn’t understand Traditionalist’s work ethic

• Ignores office hierarchy

• Addresses top executives by their first name

• Doesn’t appreciate Boomer’s idea of “paying dues”

Millennials

1979 - 2000

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Millennials (1979 – 2000)

Men’s Fashion

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Women’s Fashion


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Men’s Hair Style


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• Jay ZThe BluePrint

• Public EnemyFear Of A Black Planet

• Ice Cube

Death Certificate

• LL Cool JMama Said Knock You Out

• BeyonceCrazy in Love Boy, All Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)

Songs


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• Book • Aiight• Dude • YO• Duh!! • OMG• I Feel You • Fo Real• Sup • What’s up G?• Homie • TMI• Cold • Whatchu Talking Bout?

Vocabulary


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MillennialMillennials (1979 – 2000)

* * * Beyonce * * *Singer, Actress, Fashion Designer

Born 1981

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* * * Alicia Keys * * *Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Actress

Born 1981

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Questions

Remember: All Challenges are Opportunities!

Dealing/Managing Generational Differences

Documents

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