Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation X Generation Y

Pay cash Buy now, pay later Save, save, save Earn to spend

A dream A birth right A way to get there An incredible expense

Traditional/nuclear Disintegrating Latch-key kids Merged families

Discipline, conformity Optimism, involvement ValuesSceptical, fun,

informalityRealism, confidence, extreme fun, social

FormalBusiness casual

(high end)Business casual

(low end)Whatever feels

comfortable

1922-1943 1944-1964 1965-1977 1978-1995

An obligation An exciting adventure Work is… A difficult challenge A contract

Dedicated Driven Work Ethic Balanced Determined

Ne’er the twain shall meet

No balance.Work to live

Work/Life Balance Balance

Something’s wrong Caution Change Potential opportunity Improvement

Respectful Love/Hate Authority Unimpressed Equals

My dedication & service have been rewarded

It’s about time, I’ve paid my dues

ProgressionI’ve delivered the results, why can’t

I be promoted yet?

What is my next career move? I’ve been here 12 months and haven’t been

promoted yet.

Carries a stigma. Stay for life

Puts you behind.Stay if moving up.

Jobchanging

Is necessary.Follow your heart.

The ultimate multi taskers

Slow & steady. Stability Ladder. Upward mobility Career path Lattice. Plateaus are fine Checkerboard

Prove yourself with loyalty. Pay dues.

Prove yourself with long hours. Pay dues.

Career paceI want to know all my

options now.May switch

frequently and fast

Formal In person Style DirectEmail,

voicemail

Send me a memo Call me anytime When Call me only at work Leave a message

IndividualTeam player

Loves meetingsInteractive

styleEntrepreneur Participative

Great depression Suburbia Sesame Street Natural disasters

Roaring 20s Feminism Divorce Diversity

WWI & WWII Civil Rights movement Computer games Violence & Gangs

Korean War Drugs, sex & rock’n’roll Boom & bust Coddled by Parents

generationsFor the first time in history we have four generations working together

Each generation has distinct attitudes, behaviours, expectations, habits and motivational buttons.

Remember that generalizations about generations are just that. Age defines a demographic, not a person.!

Role Models

It is my duty to build a legacy for following

generations

By being involved,we will shape society

for the better

Attitude

Not sure why I should bother to get involved.

I want to get involved because I have great ideas for how we can improve the situation

Create your legacy.Mentor younger

volunteers

Raise your profile.Impact strategy &

direction

RecruitGain transferrable

skills. AchievementsUse creativity

& provide input

Your experience is respected

You are valuedYou are needed

MotivateDo it your wayForget the rules

You’ll work with other bright, creative people

Not necessaryDoes not handle

negative feedback wellMentoring

Not necessary to receive feedback

Constant feedbackneeded

If no one is yelling, good

Once a year, documented

Performance Reviews

Sorry to interrupt, how am I doing?

What do you mean I’m not outstanding?

Essentials MoneyGive me more…

Time Affirmation

Traditional classroom. Coaching

Classroomextended through critical reflection

Learning style

Self-Directed or Self-paced. E-learning. Structured lectures

Informal, incidentallearning. Sort attention span.

Recognise

£

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Sources1. Generating Effective Teamwork Across the Generations. Hall, T. Duke University2. Mixing and Managing Four Generations of Employees Hammil, G. FDU Magazine (2005)3. Gen Y and Baby Boomers are not so Dissimilar. Shaikh, P. (2009)4. Gen Y, Gen X and The Baby Boomers: Workplace Generation Wars. Gelston, S. (2008)5. When Generations Collide. Lancaster, L.C. and Stillman, D. (2002)6. Motivating the “What’s in it For Me?” Generation Workforce. Marston, C. (2007)7. The Fourth Turning: An American Philosophy. Strauss, W. and Howe, N. (1997).8. Appreciating a Multigenerational Workforce. Michael C Fina/Sarah White Associates9. Generations at Work: Managing the Clash of Veterans, Boomers, Xers, and Nexters in Your Workplace. Zemke, Raines, and Filipezak (2000)