bridging generational gaps - indiana crop · + taking a deeper look gen yes vs. gen why me?...
TRANSCRIPT
+
Bridging
Generational
Gaps
February 4, 2014
Christine Hassler, MA
+ What is a Generation?
Defined by:
Formative events
Parenting trends
Changes in technology
+
Matures Born before1945
Baby Boomers Born 1946-1964
Gen X Born 1965-1977
Gen Y
Born 1977-1995
Generational Landscape
+ Generational Continuum:
We, Nation, Team, Company
I, My, Individual, “What’s in it for me?”
Whatever it takes, Hours, Visibility, Face time
TIME • TEAMWORK • TECHNOLOGY
Success = Balance, Time as a Currency, Ownership
Luxury, Intimidating, Diversions, Toys
Reliance, Flexibility, New Skills
+
What makes each
generation unique?
MATURES (TRADITIONALISTS) Born: 1928 to 1945
30 Million
Formative Events:
Homogeneous families, neighbors, conformity
WWII
Great Depression
Pearl Harbor
First manned space flight
Significant increase in economic prosperity
Growth in white collar jobs
+ MATURES: Traits
Strong Military connection / duty and sacrifice
Respectful of authority / Hierarchical
Loyal to institutions / companies
“We First”
Motivated by financial rewards and security
Work ethic measured in timelines
Delayed gratification
Heroes: Groups
BABY BOOMERS Born: 1946 to 1964
80 Million
Formative Events:
Civil Rights Movement and Feminist Movement
Vietnam War
Assassinations of idealistic leaders
Watergate and Nixon’s resignation
The Cold War
+
Most Influential Generation
Work-a-holic
Anti-authoritarian
Motivated by changing the world
Last generation to pay dues in traditional ways
Believe teamwork is critical to success
Expect loyalty from those they work with
Running the show
Heroes: People they’ve never met
BOOMERS: Traits
+ GEN X Born:1965 to 1977
45 Million
Formative Events
Watergate
End of the Cold War – fall of the Berlin Wall
Challenger Explosion
The Gulf War
The PC boom / Internet
The Reagan Presidency
Women more fully integrated into the workforce
Significant increase in their parents’ divorce rates & unemployment
+ GEN X: Traits
Skeptical / Cynical
Prove it to me
Independent / Loners
Live for today, “carpe diem”
Work / Life balance
Believe their value is not in what they do, but in what they know
Heroes: People they know who have proven themselves
+
Formative Events:
9/11
Oklahoma City Bombing
Columbine
Global Warming
Katrina
Internet Boom
Dual-income Families
Strong Economy
Kid-centric Culture
GEN Y (MILLENNIALS) Born:1977 ~ 1995-(2000)
77 Million
+
Confident and conscious
Diverse and highly tolerant
Consumers of EVERYTHING
Tech dependent
Known affluence and fame
Instant Gratification
Multi-taskers and processors
Financial freshman
Heroes: Parents
GEN Y: Traits
+
Which traits unique to your generation do you
identify with?
What traits do you notice about other generations
in your workplace? Marketplace?
What did you learn about another generation that
has helped you understand someone you work
with, for, or who works for you?
What did you learn that helps you understand your
consumer better?
?????
+
+
Understanding generational
differences is the first step to
bridging them
+ See the Gap:
Summary of Different Views
Around Job Change
Matures – Believes it carries stigma
Boomers – Believes it puts you behind
Gen X – Believes it is necessary
Gen Y – Believes it is routine
+
Around Career Goals
Matures – Belief in building a legacy
Boomers – Belief in building an incredible career
Gen X – Belief in building a portable, flexible career
Gen Y – Belief in building a parallel, passionate career
See the Gap:
Summary of Different Views
+ See the Gap:
Summary of Different Views
Around Work Ethic
Matures – We First / Nose to the grindstone
Boomers – Pay your dues / Workaholic
Gen X – Prove it to me
Gen Y – Instant Gratification
+ See the Gap:
Summary of Different Views
Around Training
Matures – Learn from experience
Boomers – Learn from working hard
Gen X – Learn from training and education
Gen Y – Continuous learning and experience
+ See the Gap:
Summary of Different Views
Around Identity
Matures – Blend in
Boomers – Who I am is what I do
Gen X – Define themselves outside the office
Gen Y – Individuals with herd mentality
+ See the Gap:
Summary of Different Views
Around Communication
Matures – Come see me
Boomers – Call me
Gen X – Email me
Gen Y – Facebook or text me
+
Where are and what are the generational
gaps at your company?
In what ways are you challenged by
generational diversity?
How is it an issue for you, your team, and
company as a whole?
?????
+
Best Practices
+
Show respect, listen attentively
Acknowledge contributions . . . Humbly
Value their wisdom
Be spoken and written
Be clear, especially about changes
Invite discussion
Offer insights about co-workers and clients
Best Practices: MATURES
+
Acknowledge team & individual contributions
Value “face time”
Be succinct
Provide resources/tools to keep them up-to-date
and competitive
Retire retirement
Offer them options for greater responsibility (as
well as less)
Encourage giving back
Best Practices: BOOMERS
+ Best Practices: GEN X
Time is a Currency
Recognize their identity is outside the workplace
Customization and Flexibility (family friendly)
Offer a variety of career paths with next steps
Networking (“seen and be seen”)
Leverage their entrepreneurial instincts
Intrapreneurship
Money
Talk short-term
Prove it to them
+ Best Practices: GEN Y
First day unforgettable
Map out their career path
Provide frequent acknowledgement and feedback
Give detailed explanations and expectations
Celebrations!!!
Intrinsically motivate
Open-doors, asynchronous work, and device/sm freedom
Train and entertain
Reward with time and experiences
Be a coach
+
+ What is on the mind of Gen Y?
96% making money
91% being healthy
88% establishing a career
85% being debt free/reducing debt
74% education/pursuing an advanced degree
72% being in a long-term relationship/marriage
9 in 10 are asking themselves “what am I going to do with my life?”
+ Taking a Deeper Look
Gen Yes vs. Gen whY me?
Adultolescence
Carrying 10K in credit card debt and 25K student loan debt
78% of college grads are moving home
Expectation Hangovers
16.1% unemployment rate 18-29
Almost 6 in 10 employed say they already have switched
careers at least once.
Only 1/3 say their current job is their career / 62% plan to quit
their regular job within two years
Almost 10% are on anti-depressants
Influencers and trend-setters
+ Why Gen Y
77 million strong and will reach 88 million by 2020
Current annual spending is 200 billion a year
Over the next 10 years, Gen-Y will be majority of ‘wealth
accumulators’ in developed economies and are becoming
the majority of the workforce
Influencers and trend-setters
Loyal, enthusiastic, creative, innovative, passionate,
idealistic, and really FUN
+
+ Attracting Gen Y
Invest in technology and engage
Have a story to tell
Deliver and be transparent
Include parents
Address how you will help them achieve
their goals
Implement social and environmental
conscious practices
+
Next Steps
+
What ideas do you have to bridge generational gaps in your workplace?
What are the immediate steps you plan to implement?
?????
+ Bridging the Generational Gaps:
Provide a variety of flexible arrangements that cater to each generation
More opportunities for generations to work together
Invest in top notch education and training in all forms
Re-recruit every day
Invite open dialogue
Create space for creative ideas
Set up mentoring and reverse mentoring opportunities
Prepare for the next generations!
+ Stop Generalizing Generations
+
“If you want happiness for a lifetime - help the next generation.”
Chinese Proverb
+ THANK YOU!!!
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