The Generational Divide - A Closer Look at Gen X

Culture Transformation Resources, LLC * www.CTR-Consulting.com

THE GENERATIONAL DIVIDE. A CLOSER LOOK AT GENERATION X.

By Andre S. Harris, Culture Transformation Resources, LLC


FOUR GENERATIONS. BIRTH YEARS & AGE.

TRADITIONALISTS 1925-1945 69+ years

BABY BOOMERS 1946-1964 50-68

GENERATION X 1965-1979 35-49

MILLENNIALS 1980-1996 18-34

Source: Gallup’s “State of the American Workplace” 2013


FOUR GENERATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE.

Source: Gallup’s “State of the American Workplace” 2013


We are in the middle of a historic evolutionary leap driven by digital innovation and technology. It has created a generational divide that holds both promise and peril for leaders.

For the first time in U.S. history, we have four separate generations working side-by-side.

While there is no magic birth date that makes a member of a specific generation, one’s experience and sharing of history h e l p s s h a p e a “ g e n e r a t i o n a l personality” during their formative years.

When a generational divide occurs at work, the results can be:

•  Reduced productivity •  Hiring challenges •  Increased turnover •  Decreased morale •  Reduced profitability

THE GENERATIONAL DIVIDE.


THE GENERATIONAL DIVIDE.

“A lack of understanding across generations can have detrimental effects on communication and working relationships and undermine effective services.”

-Constance Patterson, Ph.D.


THE GENERATIONAL DIVIDE. HOW THEY DIFFER.

Social, Political & Economic Influences

Family Structure & Influence

Education

Values / Morals

Work Ethic

Leadership Approach

Motivational Buttons

Communication Style

Interaction with Others

Approach to Feedback

View towards Company

Work vs. Personal Life

Desired Rewards

Financial Behaviors

Relationship with Technology

General Expectations


So much of what is going on in our lives is seen through our own generational lens. C o m p a n i e s N E E D a multigenerational workforce. To succeed in business today, i t t a k e s a r a n g e o f generational insights and varied perspectives to make smart business decisions.

Educating employees on generational differences and their unique contributions can boost:

•  Understanding •  Respect •  Collaboration •  Productivity •  A Working Together Culture

GENERATIONAL INSIGHTS.


GENERATION X.


OVERVIEW. GENERATION X.

BIRTH YEARS

•  1965-1979

AGE •  35-49 years old

US POPULATION

•  46 Million

AKA •  Gen X •  X-ers


CHILDHOOD. GEN X. Divorce reached all time high

Single-parent families became the norm

Latch-key kids

Children not as valued – seen as hardship

Families spread out (miles apart)

Family size = 1.7 children

Perception of the world as “unsafe”

Average 10 year old spent 14.5 minutes with significant adult role model

As parents, “we need to do better for our children”

IMPORTANT EVENTS. GEN X.

Energy Crisis Begins

Iran Hostage Crisis

John Lennon Assassination

Ronald Reagan Inaugurated

Women’s Liberation Protests

Three Mile Island

Challenger Disaster

Exxon Valdez Oil Tanker Spill


CORE VALUES. GEN X.

Dedication Hard Work Conformity

Law and Order Patience Delayed

Reward

Duty before Pleasure

Adherence to Rules Honor


Leonardo DiCaprio

Charlize Theron

Tiger Woods

Sandra Bullock

George Clooney

J.K. Rowling

FAMOUS GEN X’ers.

Ryan Seacrest

Jennifer Lopez

Tom Cruise

Jennifer Aniston

Michael Jordan

Brangelina


COMMON TRAITS. GEN X.

Grew up when national institutions came under question

Wary of commitment, professional/personal

Layoffs Cynical & Pessimistic

No Common Heroes Comfortable with Change

Self-reliant; fend for themselves as Latch-Key Children


The Brady Bunch

Pet Rocks

Platform Shoes

Cabbage Patch Dolls

Disco

The Simpsons

Super-hero Cartoons

School House Rock

Evening Soaps

E.T.

CULTURAL MEMORABILIA. GEN X.


FOUR GENERATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE.


Traditionalists •  Loyal

Boomers •  Driven

Gen X •  Balanced

Millennials •  Eager

WORK ETHIC. FOUR GENERATIONS.


VIEW OF WORK. FOUR GENERATIONS.

Traditionalists •  It’s necessary •  An obligation

Boomers •  It is exciting •  Adventure

Gen X •  It is a challenge •  A contract

Millennials •  It is done to make a

difference •  A means to an end

EXPECTATIONS OF WORK. FOUR GENERATIONS.

Loyalty, Respect Authority

Common

Goals

Performance

Compensated for doing job

Competitive

Optimistic, Team-

Oriented

Results

Reward for Results

Self-Reliant

Skeptical, Career-Oriented

Results + Fun

Reward for Outcomes

Pack-Oriented

Self important, Loyalty to

Others

Career

Seek rapid success


TRADITIONALISTS

Individual

BABY BOOMERS

Team Player Loves Meetings

MILLENNIALS

Participative

GEN X

Entrepreneur

INTERACTIVE STYLES. FOUR GENERATIONS.

Source: Greg Hammill, “Mixing and Managing Four Generations of Employees


WORK STYLES. FOUR GENERATIONS.

Traditionalists

•  Hierarchical organizational structures •  Consistency and uniformity •  “These are the rules.”

Boomers

•  Coined “team building” •  Live to Work, until Retirement •  “Let’s talk about the rules.”

Gen X

•  Work to live, not live to work •  Flexibility in work, life •  “Break all of the rules.”

Millennials

•  Exceptional multi-taskers •  Flexibility in work hours and dress code •  “Redefine the rules.”


LEADERSHIP STYLES. FOUR GENERATIONS.

Traditionalists •  Directive •  Command-and-control

Boomers •  Consensual •  Collegial

Gen X

•  Everyone is the same •  Challenge others •  Ask questions

Millennials •  TBD


TRADITIONALISTS

Satisfaction of a job well done

BOOMERS

Money, title, recognition,

the corner office

GEN X

Freedom, self-manage, time to

prioritize own projects

MILLENNIALS

Work that has meaning, flexibility; growth and learning opportunity; praise

MOTIVATORS. FOUR GENERATIONS.


RESPECT AND LOYALTY. FOUR GENERATIONS.

Traditionalists •  To the organization

Boomers •  To the profession

Gen X •  To the individual

Millennials •  To co-workers and friends

MANAGING AND LEADING FOUR GENERATIONS.

Recognize their loyalty, experience.

Select

activities that show what they know.

Focus on

evolution, not revolution.

Acknowledge their

contributions.

Be aware of competitive

nature.

Offer continued

training on life skills, balance.

Respect their skepticism;

establish your credentials.

Use humor.

Let them know you like them.

Talk career,

not job.

Provide ongoing and

remedial training.

Teach in short

modules.

Test often. Make it fun.

Allow collaboration.


TRADITIONALISTS

Loyal to their clients

and/or customers

BOOMERS

Making a difference

GEN X

Building a career

MILLENNIALS

Work that has meaning

#1 REASON TO STAY OR LEAVE JOB. FOUR GENERATIONS.


COMMUNICATION PREFERENCES. FOUR GENERATIONS.

Traditionalists

•  Let’s have a conversation •  Face to Face •  Formal • Memo

Boomers •  Call me on my cell anytime •  In person •  Semi-formal

Gen X

•  Send me an email •  Irreverent •  Call me only at work •  Direct and Immediate

Millennials

•  Text me or IM me •  Twitter •  Fun, Informal, Slang •  Email or Voicemail


COMMUNICATION GAP.

“Grandpa is showing us how they sent a text when he was a kid.”


IMPROVING FEEDBACK AND COMMUNICATION. FOUR GENERATIONS.

Traditionalists •  “No news is good news.” •  May not be receptive to feedback •  50% have not received feedback training

Boomers •  “Once a year; formal and documented.” •  Don’t appreciate it •  Initiate weekly informal talks; document talks

Gen X •  “Sorry to interrupt, but how am I doing?” •  Give immediate and regular feedback •  Be direct and to the point

Millennials •  “I want it with the push of a button, anytime.” •  Consider electronic connections; use visuals •  Allow an active role in creating work plans


COMMUNICATION DIFFERENCES.

www.CTR-Consulting.com

Please contact us for the complete presentation or more information about: •  Generational Dynamics in the Workplace •  Managing Millennials •  Leading Multigenerational Employees •  Four Generations Working Together

Ms. Harris is available for keynote presentations, management training, leadership retreats and other corporate and non-‐profit engagements.

Andre S. Harris President & Proud Gen X Culture Transformation Resources, LLC www.CTR-‐Consulting.com Andre@CTR-‐Consulting.com 1-‐800-‐390-‐5078 @AndreHarrisCTR Andre Harris CTR www.linkedin.com/pub/andre-harris/31/56a/744/

The Generational Divide - A Closer Look at Gen X

Leadership & Management

Transcript of The Generational Divide - A Closer Look at Gen X