Current and Future Generational Issues
Katie Kessler MSN RN
Generational Issues: Current and Future
Workforce of Today
Workforce of Tomorrow
• Millennials are now the largest Labor Force in the United States
• Largest generation in the U.S. - one third of the population
• Most diverse and educated generation to date
• 42% identify with a race other than white, non-Hispanic (twice that of baby boomers)
• 61% attended college ( Baby Boomers – 46%)
Four Generations of Nurses in Workforce
The Issue……
• Members of each generation still operate as if their values and expectations are universal
• Unquestioned assumptions can result in misinterpretation between generations
What is a generation?
Cohorts of people who share birth years, history and collective personality as a result of their defining experiences. (Zemke et al 2000)
Typically span 15-20 years
Historical, political and social events define a generation
Generational Diversity
Generational diversity challenges created by differences in:
Attitudes
Beliefs
Work habits
Expectations of work
Generational Characteristics
• Traditionalists (1922-1943)• Cherry Ames
• Baby Boomers – (1946-1961)• Nurse Colleen McMurphy
• Generation X – (1961- 1981)• Nurse Hathaway
• Millennials – (1981 – 2001)• Johnson & Johnson ads
• Generation Z – (2002-present)
Silent Generation – Ages 71-116• Colin Powell
• Elvis Presley
• Martin Luther King Jr
• Gloria Steinhem
• Sandra Day O’Connor
Silent Generation
• Loyal
• Hard working
• Dedicated
• Conformist
• Respect for Authority
• Personal responsibility for work/workplace
• Detail oriented
Silent Generation Life Events
• Post Depression Children
• Children during World War II
• Korean War
• Atom Bomb and Cold War
• Rotary phones
• Labor saving appliances
Personal and Lifestyle characteristics by GenerationTraditionalists (1922-45)
Core ValuesRespect for authority
Conformers, Discipline
FamilyTraditional Nuclear
Education A dream
Communication
Media
Rotary phones
One on one
Write a memo
Money
Finances
Put it away
Pay cash
Coaching and Motivating
• One on one coaching that is formal and gives specifics on how to improve
• Value on seniority and experience
• Hand written notes, plaques and pictures with leaders are important signs of recognition
Baby Boomers – Ages 52-70
Famous Boomers
• Bill and Hillary Clinton
• George W and Laura Bush
• Oprah
• Steve Jobs
• Bill Gates
• Bruce Springsteen
• Jon Stewart
Baby Boomer Life Events
• Post War Boom
• Suburbia childhood
• Civil Rights Movement
• Women’s Movement
• JFK, RFK, MLK
• Vietnam War
Baby Boomers
• 78 million strong• Team oriented• Personal gratification• Forever young• Workaholics• Build a lifetime career• Lifelong learning and self
improvement
Baby Boomers
• Many delaying retirement for personal and/or financial reasons
• 63% plan to work part time after retirement
• 5% never plan to retire
Baby Boomers
• Many delaying retirement for personal and/or financial reasons
• 63% plan to work part time after retirement
• 5% never plan to retire
Personal and Lifestyle Characteristics by Generation Baby Boomers (1946-64)
Core ValuesOptimism
Involvement
Family
Nuclear families
Disintegrating by 1970’s
Education A birthright
Communication
Media
Touch tone phones
Call me anytime
Money
Finances
Buy now
Pay later
Coaching and Motivating Boomers
Collegiality and participation in coaching relationships
Peer to peer
Lifelong learning as a way to improve performance
Public recognition
Perks like parking spaces, newsletter recognition and professional award nominations
Generation X – Age 36-51
Famous Gen Xers
• Princess Diana
• Barack and Michelle Obama
• Will Smith
• Michael Jordan
• Cast of “Friends”
• Tiger Woods
Gen X Life Events
• First PCs
• HIV/AIDS epidemic
• Challenger Disaster
• Fall of Communism and Berlin Wall
• Desert Storm
Generation Xers
• Multitask well
• Flexible/adaptable
• Independent
• Comfortable with Technology
• Balance in life
• Prefer to work alone
• Self reliant
• Used to change
• Want to get the job done
Personal and Lifestyle characteristics by Generation Generation X (1965-80)
Core ValuesSkepticism
Fun and Informality
Family Latchkey kids
Education A way to get there
Communication
Media
Cell phones
Call me at work
Money
Finances
Cautious and conservative
Save, save, save
Coaching and Motivating Xers
• Need to demonstrate expertise and not be micromanaged
• Rapid progress toward goals
• Career advancement based on merit
• Paid time off or cash awards
• Participation in cutting edge projects
Millennial Generation – Ages 16-36
Famous Millennials
• Mark Zuckerberg
• Taylor Swift
• Le Bron James
• Princes William and Harry
• Justin Bieber
Millennial Life Events
• Digital Age
• Social Media
• Oklahoma City and Columbine
• 9- 11
Millennials• Accept authority
• Balance work and personal life
• Direct
• Optimistic
• Rule follower
• Self confident
• Socially aware
• Team Player
• Involved
• Culturally diverse
Millennial Information Mindset
• Technology natives
• Social media is part of every aspect of life
• Developing the “sharing economy”
• Reality is no longer real – lots of views and evolving truths
• Doing is more important than knowing –half-life of knowledge is short
• Zero tolerance for delays
Personal and Lifestyle Characteristics by Generation Millennial (1980-2000)
Core Values
Realism
Confidence
Extreme fun and social
Family Merged families
Education Incredibly expensive
Communication
Media
Texting, other social media
Smart phones
Money
FinancesEarn to spend
Coaching and Motivating Millennials
• Expect a lot of coaching and mentoring
• Want structure, guidance and extensive orientation
• Personal feedback
• Opportunities for self development
• Flexible scheduling is key
• High turnover if expectations are not met
The caveat….
• What happens when millennial workers interact with individuals who do not have access to technology or have not learned to use it?• Poor and underserved populations
• Older adults
• Traditional thinkers
Generation Z: The Founders (2002- )
• All about social media
• Global Citizens from birth
• Live in the moment –Snapchat, Instagram
• Competitive and Independent
• Inclusive and Tolerant
• Want to Stand Out
Questions?
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