Generational Identity in the Workplace

November 25, 2008

Dr. Judy Laws

Graybridge Malkam

Agenda

– What are Generations and Why do they Matter?

– Generations in Today’s Workforce

– Understanding the Four Generations

Generation

• A group of people defined by age boundaries (those who were born during a certain era)

• They share similar experiences growing up

• Their values and attitudes tend to be similar

The Power of Four

• This is the first time in North American history that we have had four different generations working side-by-side in the workplace.

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

• These four generations often collide, as their paths cross.

• They have different values, different ideas, different ways of getting things done, and different ways to communicating in the workplace.

Veterans - born 1920 to 1945

- today 88 to 63 years old

Baby Boomers - born 1946 to 1964

- today 44 to 62 years old

Generation X - born 1965 to 1980

- today 28 to 43 years old

Generation Y - born 1981 to 1999

- today 9 to 27 years old

Poll: What generation do you belong to? When were you born?

Demographic Reality

Source: © New Paradigm Learning Corporation 2006

Baby Boomer

1946 - 1964

Gen X

1965 - 1980

Gen Y

1981 - 2000

Veterans

1922 – 1945< 10% of

Workforce

Disclaimer

– Be careful not to categorize someone just based upon the year they were born – it’s more their behaviors and values that will identify them with a particular generation

– Exact population numbers within each group will vary

• Very few consistent sources on the exact years that encompass the Veteran, Boomer, Generation X, and Generation Y categories

Generations Jeopardy

Generation?

What’s the Value?

I am…. Heroes and

Cartoons

Grab Bag

10 10 10 10 10

20 20 20 20 20

30 30 30 30 30

40 40 40 40 40

I didn’t have the opportunity to pursue post secondary education, so I

worked my way up by gaining experience

Who is a Veteran

My parents stayed together, mother stayed at home and my dad worked

in an office, but I got divorced

Who is a Baby Boomer

I expect post secondary education and expect to

get a good job after

Who is a Gen Y

I grew up with a key around my neck

Who is a Gen X

A generation who values equality – they believe respect is earned, not

given

Who are Gen Y

I value relationship and respect those with a “solid

work ethic”.

Who are the Baby Boomers

I value self- reliance and development opportunities that foster my employability

Who are Gen X

A generation who values hierarchy – they believe their boss knows best

Who are the Veterans

Team Oriented

Who are Baby Boomers

Hopeful

Who are Gen Y

Skeptical

Who are Gen X

Pessimistic

Who are Veterans

Who is Gen Y

Who is a Baby Boomer

Who is Gen X

Who are Veterans

A group of people defined by age boundaries (those who were born

during a certain era), they share similar experiences growing up, and their

values and attitudes tend to be similar.

What is a Generation?

These two countries have 9.5 times the number of Gen Y than the U.S.

and Canada Combined

India and China

This organization has mastered tailoring its messages to recruit each generation.

What is the Military

Fight Fear

All generations want these factors in their workplace

What are • Work-Life Balance• Interesting Work • A Good Salary • Benefits• Flexible Hours of Work

Group Exercise

• What generation do you consider yourself to be a member of?

• What do you like about your generation?

• What do you wish other generations understood about your generation?

• What challenges do you face at work that may have to do with your generation?

Consistent and Compelling Messages Driven into Gen Y

• You are special

• Leave no one behind

• Connect 24/7

• Achieve now

• Serve your community

Building Bridges• Learn how your team members wish to communicate• Maintain enthusiasm when dealing with challenges that

arise from interaction with diverse co-workers• Avoid selecting roles based on age; rather, select roles

based on a team member’s abilities.• Work towards equalizing each team member’s influence

within the workplace by minimizing dominance by any one member or group.

• Structure opportunities for sharing and self disclosure

• Make opportunities for generations to learn from each other

• Increase understanding about generational differences

• Demonstrate flexibility for differing needs and preferences