Leading Fire Services Through The Generational Gap€¦ · Defiant of the next generation -...
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11/04/2016 1 Leading Fire Services Through The Generational Gap Vince MacKenzie Grand Falls-Windsor Fire Department Newfoundland and Labrador Twitter @firechiefvince Introduction Fire service since 1983 Full time chief -Composite Department –pop. 14,000 2nd generation firefighter
Transcript of Leading Fire Services Through The Generational Gap€¦ · Defiant of the next generation -...
11/04/2016
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Leading Fire Services Through The
Generational GapVince MacKenzie
Grand Falls-Windsor Fire Department Newfoundland and Labrador
Twitter @firechiefvince
Introduction
Fire service since 1983
Full time chief -Composite Department –pop. 14,000
2nd generation firefighter
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Involved with my provincial fire services association since 1992 –
5 terms as Provincial President Presently a Director with CAFC
1994 NFPA Learn Not Burn Champion –Public Education
Developed the Youth Firefighter Training Program in late 1980s
Grand Falls-Windsor
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Grand Falls Windsor Fire
Leading Today’s Fire Service
Leading Today’s Fire Services is no Easy Task (Career or Volunteer)
◦ Fires are different today◦ Political landscape is different◦ Economy is very different (just in last year)◦ Responsibilities are different◦ Expectations from public is different◦ Liabilities are more complex
◦ PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF HOW THEY GREW UP!
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Youth Firefighter Training Program-Exposure to future generations
YOUTH FIREFIGHTERS
Developed a Youth Firefighter training program in late 1980s
Originally designed as a fire prevention program for high school students
Also a recruitment program to expose youth to volunteer firefighting.
Advantage for our department: It gave the fire department early insight into generational shift.
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It is not all new!
Differences in generations have had a effect on the fire service since it began- so it is
really nothing new.
It is not all new!
An effective fire service leader will have a good understanding that our generations of
people have different if not opposite characteristics.
Generational traits must the recognized by competent leaders. If you don’t, you will
have many unnecessary challenges.
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It is not all new!
Technology, along with parenting values, have widened the gap more than ever with
the newest generation.
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Definition
Generation Gap A generation gap or generational gap, is a difference of opinions between one generation and another regarding beliefs, politics, or values. In today's usage, "generation gap" often refers to a perceived gap between younger people and their parents and/or grandparents.
Generation gap - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_gap
It’s not new!
There have always been differences between generations that have contributed to the amount stress experienced between them.
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It’s not new!
We coped as it is typical and expected that one generation does not understand or agree with the characteristics of the one that comes after it.
Older generations have traditional outlooks regarding respect for authority, earned respect and training methods.
The younger generations have different outlooks regarding self-awareness and respect for authority.
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YOUR MISSION
Your Mission
Understand how the Generation gap affects fire department personnel
ACCEPT ITEMBRACE IT
It is not going to go away!
Tradition – Fire Service buzz word
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The Labeled Generations
Traditionalists - (Veterans) 1900-1945 Baby Boomers - 1945-1965 Generation X - 1965-1981 Generation Y - Millennial Generation –
Born 1980-2000 (some go to 2004) Gen 2020- 2004 onward
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Traditionalists – 1922-1943
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Traditionalists -Veterans
The traditionalist generation brought us through the war years, they were the fire service leaders of the 50 and 60’s. Retiring in the 70’s. They trained and mentored the baby boomers.
Traditionalists were strong military style leaders and mentors who saw things only as black and white- Right or Wrong
Traditionalists - Veterans
Strong military style leadership
◦ Especially in our (para-military) fire service◦ Very Disciplined◦ Loyal to the workplace
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BOOMERS - 1944-1964
Baby Boomers
Work Ethic – Competitive Leaders
◦ They entered the workforce in the millions◦ Therefore competition was a normal part of everyday survival ◦ Boomers had to build a competitive edge◦ Did whatever it took to get ahead Put in the extra hours Sacrificed Paid their dues
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1970’s- Still Boomers
When you joined? 1970’s
Just Shut up and do it! Follow the text book ALWAYS!!!
Baby Boomers -1945-1965
Boomers currently hold most positions of power in our current fire service
◦ Innovative◦ Defiant of the next generation - Generation X –there seemed to be larger gap◦ Boomers are at twilight of retirement in next 10 years
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Generation X - 1965-1980
Generation X-1965-1980
Work Ethic
◦ Expected to work hard, but had more flexibility◦ Goal oriented – as long as outcomes were met◦ Some compromise◦ Going back to school to learn◦ Technology was a novelty – witnessed great deal of
technological change early – first amazed by technology
◦ Smallest Generation size
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Generation X-1965-1980
Creative
◦ Because of flexibility they became more creative◦ Innovative◦ Saw that little changes amounted to great systematic change
Generation X-1965-1980
Independent
◦ Grew up as latch key kids◦ Learned to be independent◦ Get ahead on your own with support◦ Because of greater independence, they became creative with their time.
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Generation X-1965-1980
Generation X highly educated, active, balanced, happy
and family-oriented Unlike their Boomer parents who
challenged leaders with intent to replace them
Gen Xers have a less prominent tendency to idolize leaders and a greater tendency to work toward long-term institutional systematic change
1980’s – Generation X
Generation X were not great at being mentored by the military minded boomers.
Gen X was somewhat of the first level to question real authority. Rebels of the 80’s.
But they still respected authority, especially if it was earned.
Gen X were the folks that grew up as latch key kids, somewhat independent of authority.
We have been around long enough to see the leadership style of the Boomers
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Generation Y – Millennials1980-2000…
Millennials
No precise date – most use birth raging from 1980s to 2000◦ Also called Generation “We”◦ Global Generation◦ Net Generation
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Learn the Millennial Traits
Fire service leaders, who are typically another generation, need to take a heightened awareness of the traits of Millennials.
Accept that the real solution will be somewhat hard for the rest of use to grasp.
We created them
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Millennials- born 1980 and up
Well Educated
◦ In demand – and they know it◦ May have 5 jobs in 5 years
Insert maslows
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Millennials-
Millennials are hard workers but..
◦ They need to be revered◦ Expect reward for all extra effort◦ May have 5 jobs in 5 years◦ May appear to have “sense of entitlement” ◦ Set their own rewards◦ Make sure you tell their parents!
Millennials
Authority
◦ Responds poorly to those who act in an authoritarian manner.◦ Recognizing authority because of rank alone in NOT a trait they possess.◦ They were raised to question all things and were told they were the ones who were SPECIAL!
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Millennials- born 1980 and up
Millennials Care About Causes
◦ They like to appeal to the cause
◦ Therefore they make great dedicated volunteer and career firefighters driven by the cause.
Millennials are Very Self- AWARE!
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Millennials- born 1980 and up
Self Aware –
◦ Recorded all their life, every significant event has been documented.◦ Priority #1 – is me◦ Their personal happiness comes first◦ “I have plans”◦ Their plan always will circulate around what makes them feel good
Millennials- born 1980 and up
Technology Savvy
◦ Millennials are very mobile◦ Don’t want their time wasted◦ Can look up information at any time
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Millennials- born 1980 and up
Collaborative
◦ Want to be involved.◦ Build by small teams◦ Rarely want to do something alone, always like to have a partner.◦ Great team players
Millennials- born 1980 and up
Great Multi-taskers
◦ By virtue of being mobile they can naturally do several things at a time and are comfortable with it.◦ Rather uncomfortable doing something alone.
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Millennials- born 1980 and up
Confident
◦ Raised by parents who encouraged independence◦ Parents built their self esteem like no other generation◦ Always “you can do it”
Millennials- born 1980 and up
Hopeful
◦ Very Optimistic about all things, always see the positive outcome even with little effort.
◦ Because tasks were finished for them..
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Millennials- born 1980 and up
Goal Oriented
◦ They have defined themselves earlier in life◦ We call them smarter today◦ Appear more mature◦ They know in their mind what they want when they join the fire department◦ First day on the job- they will tell you where they want to be in short time.
Millenials
Millennials are the most coached of all generations.
Therefore they are confident but not loners.
Not necessarily always coached by people though.◦ Click the help button◦ Google it◦ Mr. Rogers
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Solutions ??
Todays progressive fire service leaders have to be coaches to the new generation. More than ever before.
◦ Speak nicely- never harsh
◦ Reinforce by affirmation
Coaching They basically learn no other way other
than being coached. They don’t like direct orders without
explanations Negative criticism shuts them down
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Solutions ??
Accept technology and use it! Learn to use and embrace social media Make sure all in department understand Who makes the information available to
public – Not just anyone Twitter-
Solutions ??
Praise them and they will love you!
Its not what you say, or how you say it. It is how you make them feel that it will be remembered forever.
Affirmation is key
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Solutions ??
Boomers can get along with gen X/Y –and vice versa – as long as both sides understand that they come from different cultural positions and make an effort to bridge the gap.
Making this happen requires give and take on both sides, without compromising the fundamental right of command
Leading positive change. Millennials will someday take over our fire
service. We have to do formal succession planning
more than ever. The only way to achieve it is to mentor.
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Mentoring the Millennial
Showing the new generation that we understand the difference is important.
Once won over, the Millennial will then see the value in the traditional fire department structure.
There is more to come….
Remember…..another generation is on the way!
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Leading the Fire Service through the Generational
GapVince MacKenzie
Grand Falls-Windsor Fire Department Newfoundland and Labrador
Twitter @firechiefvince
