Managing Four Generations in the Workplace

By: Melissa Hawkins, Brenda Mummert, and Colleen Nestruck

Objectives

What is a ”Generation”

Workplace Characteristics

The Four Generations

What’s to come

Question

Managing Multiple Generations

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

Characteristics

“group of contemporaries: all of the people who were born at approximately the same time, considered as a group, and especially when considered as having shared interests and attitudes”.

(English Dictionary, 2011 )

What is a “Generation”?

The “4” Generations

• Generation “X”

• Generation “Y” Millennial

• Baby Boomers• Veterans, Traditionalists, Silent

1922-1945

1946-1964

1965-1980

1981-2000

Characteristics

• Respect for authority• Conformers• Disciplined• Patriotic• Conservative

Veterans, Traditionalist, Silent (1922-1945)

• Nuclear Family• Education was a dream• Rotary Phones• Put cash away for later• Paid in cash

Characteristics - (continued)Veterans, Traditionalist, Silent

CharacteristicsBaby Boomers (1946-1964)

• Positive about the future• Involvement• Rebels• Hippies• Believed nothing was impossible

• Education was a birthright• Touch tone phones• Buy now, pay later

Characteristics - (continued)Baby Boomers

• Skeptical • Asks the question “why”• Fun• Relaxed and casual• Latch-key-kids• Education-a way to get there

CharacteristicsGeneration X (1965-1980)

• Cell Phones• Cautious with money• Save, save, save• Looks toward the future

Characteristics - continuedGeneration X

• Practical understanding of life• Confident• Likes to have fun• Social• Merged families

CharacteristicsGeneration Y (1981-2000)

• Education is expensive• Internet• Picture Phones• E-mail• Earn money to spend money

Characteristics - continuedGeneration Y “Millennial”

• Hard working• “Just git’er done”• Punctual & never miss work• Respect Authority• Obey Rules• Work before fun

Workplace CharacteristicsVeterans

• Workaholics• “Work-til-you-drop”• Personal fulfillment• Desire quality• Sacrifice personal life to achieve

professional goals• Work for 1 employer all their lives

Workplace CharacteristicsBaby Boomers

• Eliminate tasks• Self-reliant• Want structure and direction• Skeptical• Opt for quality of life instead of careers• Want to know “why”• See work as a challenge/contract

Work CharacteristicsGeneration X

• What’s next• Multitasking• Sticks firm to a decision• Goal oriented• Tolerant• See work as a means to an end

Work CharacteristicsGeneration Y

Managing Multiple GenerationsThe Effect on the Workplace

Get a life!He wants feedback,

what the heck is that?

They have no work ethic

It’s 5:00, I’m out of here!

You’re right, but I’m the boss!

Just do your job!

No!I remember when…

The kid wants a promotion after six months on the job!

• Recruiting• Building Teams• Dealing with Change• Motivating• Managing• Maintaining and Increasing Productivity• Communication

Managing Multiple GenerationsThe Effect on the Workplace

• Veterans—Individual, one on one• Baby Boomers—Loves meetings• Generation X—Initiates communication• Generation Y—Participative

Managing Multiple GenerationsInteractive Style

• Veterans—Formal or memo’s• Baby Boomers—In person• Generation X—Direct or immediate• Generation Y—E-mail and voice mail

Managing Multiple GenerationsCommunication Style

• Veterans– No news is good news– Satisfaction is a job well done

• Baby Boomers– Don’t appreciate it– Wants money and Title Recognition

Managing Multiple GenerationsFeedback and Rewards

• Generation X– Constantly wants to know “how am I doing”?– Freedom is the best reward

• Generation Y– Gives feedback how ever they want– Wants feedback at the push of a button– Rewards come with meaningful work

Managing Multiple GenerationsFeedback and Rewards (continued)

• Veterans—need to hear that their experiences are respected!

• Baby Boomers—need to hear you are valued and needed!

• Generation X—wants to hear “do it your way”, “forget the rules”!

• Generation Y—needs to hear that they are bright and will work with others like them!

Managing Multiple GenerationsMessages that Motivate

What’s to come5-Generations in the workplace

• Know as Generation 9/11• Grown up with war• See things through a lens due to

9/11• View the world with less

optimism

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