For the first time in history, four generations are working together. Nearly half of Canadians have experienced a clash with workers either older or younger than themselves. Each generation has different values and expectations shaped by the events that have transpired during their young adult years.

Traditionalist ( 65 +)

Traditionalists Lifetime Events

The oldest group is the Traditionalists, born between 1922 and 1945. During their young adult lives, this generation was suffering through the Great Depression, with most unsure where their next meal would come from or where they would be sleeping. There was no social structure and people could easily die of starvation if they didn’t make efforts to secure food and lodging. With the onset of World War II, the population was given employment, with soldier’s paycheques going home to their wives and single women able to work and earn money. It’s for that reason that the idea of becoming a GI was such an honoured position, raising a generation that saw following orders and not questioning your leaders as the right thing.

Traditionalist Movie

Traditionalists

Management Style•Respect for authority and hierarchical system•Command and control•Dictatorial

Work Style•Work hard (Get it done)•Focus on process and rules•Don’t rock the boat

Work with Colleagues•Formal relationships•When in conflict, defer to seniority

Technology•Lack many skill sets required but are using more technology•Need slower paced more direction

Baby Boomers ( 45 – 65)

Baby Boomer Lifetime Events

Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, were the first generation to see so much social advancement in the form of civil rights. They were also the largest group to protest the moral issues of war. They were able to instigate change by coming together. It’s for this reason that Baby Boomers tend to believe that their work environment is about a team that works together.

Boomers Movie

Baby Boomers

Management Style•Participative•Decisions by consensus•Open-minded

Work Style•Bend the rules•Work in teams•Focus on people not numbers

Work with Colleagues•Personal relationships •Avoid conflict

Technology•Vary from text preferred resources to computer generated resources•Learn from younger generations , use many varieties

Gen X (30-44)

Gen X Lifetime EventsGen X’ers were born between 1965 and 1980. This generation saw the negative effects of all the changes happening during the 70’s. Where smoking was promoted as a healthy break, during the 50’s - surgeon general notices came out in the 70’s showing the lies that the tobacco industry had propagated. The economic crisis - caused by the oil industry and OPEC, saw many North American’s either on strike or out of work - and many saw their parents, after many years of loyal service, having their employment terminated. Young Gen X’ers also saw high divorce rates among their parents, resulted in many latch-key kids having to fend for themselves while living with one parent. It resulted in a generation that felt it could only rely on themselves to survive

Gen X Movie

Generation X

Management Style•Fair and flexible•Straightforward – brutally honest•Not political

Work Style•Focus on results•Change the rules•Work independently with little supervision

Technology•Familiarity and ease with various technology•Technologically literate

Work with Colleagues•Colleagues are friends•Open dialogue to resolve conflict

Generation Y (Millennials) (29 & under)

Gen Y Lifetime EventsAnd the most recent generation is Gen Y or Millenials, born between 1981 and 2000. This generation is one that after living under the fear of terrorist as well as violent attacks, it comes together in their electronic communities (facebook, myspace, blogs, cell phones), sharing openly with everyone. They are the first generation to be able to overcome the power of the media and take that power away by simply making the world aware of any news through the internet. They have come to care about their community, including being concerned about the environment. Also, being techno-natives, they have grown up with all the accessible technology and most things available 24 hours/day, they don’t know a time when that wasn’t available and find it difficult to believe that where a technological solution exists we wouldn’t just put it in place.

Gen Y Movie

Gen Y

Management Style•Inclusive•Personal•Opinionated

Work Style•Focus on quickest solution using technology•Challenge the rules•Work independently with supervision and direction

Technology•Very adept with variety of technologies•Prefer sound, visuals, fast paced and interactive

Work with Colleagues•Casual and social relationships•Debate and challenge each other to achieve compromise

Management StyleTraditionalist

•Respect for authority and hierarchical system•Command and control•Dictatorial

Baby Boomers

•Participative•Decisions by consensus•Open-minded

Gen Y•Inclusive•Personal•Opinionated

Gen X

•Fair and flexible•Straightforward – brutally honest•Not political

Work StyleTraditionalist

•Work hard (Get it done)•Focus on process and rules•Don’t rock the boat

Baby Boomers

•Bend the rules•Work in teams•Focus on people not numbers

Gen Y

•Focus on quickest solution using technology•Challenge the rules•Work independently with supervision and direction

Gen X

•Focus on results•Change the rules•Work independently with little supervision

Working with ColleaguesBaby Boomers

•Personal relationships •Avoid conflict

Traditionalists

•Formal relationships•When in conflict, defer to seniority

Gen Y•Casual and social relationships•Debate and challenge each other to achieve compromise

Gen X•Colleagues are friends•Open dialogue to resolve conflict

What are some important factors affecting learning motivation?

Are these factors different among the four generations?