Managing 5 Generations in the Workplace Noon Knowledge Session, November 18, 2015
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Dude - Where’s the Meeting?? Or… Generations in the Workplace X FIVE
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Transcript of Managing 5 Generations in the Workplace Noon Knowledge Session, November 18, 2015
Dude - Where’s the Meeting??
Or… Generations in the Workplace
XFIVE
Generations at WorkFirst time in history that there have been 4 (some say 5!) generations in the workplace at the same time:
Traditionalists
Baby Boomers
Generation X
Millenials/Gen @
Gen 2020??
Generation Gaps – Not a New Complaint!
1968
1976
1985
1990
Traditionalists
The Silent Generation
TraditionalistsAKA WWII, Silent Generation
Born Before 1946
60s to 80s
Defining Events: • Great Depression• WWII• Stock Market Collapse• A-Bomb
Traditionalists- General Characteristics
Reliable
Frugal
Patriotic
Respectful
Adhere to rules
Hardworking
Strong set of moral obligations
Traditionalists - Workplace behaviors
Loyal to employer
Effective and warm interpersonal skills
Work ethic= timeliness, putting in the hours, working hard
Very willing to learn
Accept “command and control” management style
Baby Boomers
1946-1964
50s to late 60s
Defining Events:• JFK, MLK• Woodstock• Civil Rights• Vietnam• Feminist Movement• TV• Cold War
Baby Boomers - General CharacteristicsOptimistic and Driven
Used to being the focus of attention; want their opinion to count
Value individuality “Me Generation”
Resisting traditional aging
Try to “have it all”
Baby Boomers - Workplace BehaviorsWork comes first
Loyal to the company
Work ethic= working long hours, hard, and being observed while doing it
Believe in, champion, and evaluate others on their “work ethic”
Focus on teamwork and relationship building
Work hard to advance; “put in your time”
GenerationX
The MTV Generation
Generation X
AKA Post Boomers; MTV GenerationBorn between 1965 and 197630s to late 40sDefining EventsChallenger explosionSTDs, AIDSEnergy CrisisComputersLatch-key kids
Generation X - General CharacteristicsBalanced
Independent
Adaptable
Cautiously optimistic
Skeptical and hesitant
Comfortable with technology
Generation X - Workplace BehaviorsWork to live NOT live to work
Reject Boomer and Traditional definition of “work ethic”
Work ethic= getting the job done fast and right
Value talent and ability over longevity
Loyal to a person not a job or company
Millenials
AKA Gen @, Gen Y; Generation Next
Born between 1977 and 1997
34 and younger
Defining Events
• Columbine
• Technology – Internet, Texting, Cell phones, IM
• 9/11 and Iraq War
Millenials - General Characteristics
Optimistic
Value freedom and autonomy
Global outlook; want to make the world better
Immediate gratification
Relate well to Traditionalists
Millenials - Workplace Behaviors
Value meaningful and fun work
Loyal to people they work and play with
Want to learn and grow, but want rewards NOW!
Achievement oriented
Technology is a necessary part of the work environment
Work ethic= value work insofar as it creates the results, or the acknowledgment or the growth they desire
Millenials
Gen 2020
Gen 2020
AKA Gen Z
Born after 1997
17 and younger
Defining Events
• Boston Marathon bombing, Sandy Hook
• Technology – Internet, Texting, Cell phones, IM
• Iraq and Afghanistan
Gen 2020 - General Characteristics
Optimistic
Demand to be engaged - highly satisfied and able to contribute to their fullest potential
Be flexible and drive change - change agile
Embrace diversity and inclusion
Process information at lightning speed and want and need to share information on-demand
Gen 2020 - Workplace Behaviors
Hyper-connected: even more “wired” than the Millennials, recommendations of peers carry enormous weight
Concerned: the most sensitive of the five groups to environmental problems and related social issues
Careful: coming of age in economic austerity, so cautious with economic and career decisions - share some important values with Traditionalists
Collaborative: like the Millennials, they are likely to be comfortable with collaborative endeavors, either face-to-face or virtual
Workforce By the Numbers
4% Traditionalists
45% Baby Boomers
53% Generation X
54% Millenials
Pew Research Center, 5/11/15
Everybody Wants…
To be appreciated for the qualities that they bring to a group
To feel respected by their coworkers
Flexibility!
To be seen as a person: unique, valued, important, and special!
