Understanding GenerationalDifferences in the Workplace

© 2009 Spring Institute for Intercultural LearningAll rights reserved

Myrna Ann AdkinsStefan AdkinsErika Taylor

What is a Generation?

A group of generallycontemporaneous individualsregarded as having common

cultural or socialcharacteristics and attitudes

Generations at WorkFour Generations at Work

Traditionalists (Matures):Born 1922 – 1945

Baby Boomers:Born 1946 – 1964

Generation X:Born 1965 – 1980

Millennials (Generation Y, Nexters):Born 1981 – 2001

Cuspers

Generations at Work

What are the shared events thathappened during each generation’simpressionable years?

•Headlines

•Leadership

•Cultural Events

How might these events influenceeach generations values?

Shared (historical) Events

•OklahomaCity Bombing•Columbineand otherschoolshootings•Technology•Childfocused world•Clinton/Lewinsky•9/11/

•Watergate•Women’sLiberation•EnergyCrisis•SpaceShuttleChallengerexplodes•DesertStorm

•CivilRightsmovement•SexualRevolution•Rock &Roll•Cold War•SpaceTravel•Assassinations

•GreatDepression•The NewDeal•World War II•FDR – Onepresident•Korean War

Millennials1980 - 2001

Gen Xers1965 - 1980

BabyBoomers1946 - 1964

Traditionalists1922 - 1945

Personal and Lifestyle Characteristics

Earn to spendCautious,conservative,save

Buy now, paylater

Put it away,Pay cash,Save, save,save

Money

Internet, e-mail, picturephones, i-pods

Cell phones;if its aboutwork, only callme at work

Touch-tonephones,Call me anytime

Rotary phones,One-on-one,Write a memo

Communication

An incredibleexpense

A way to getthere

A birthrightA dreamEducation

Mergedfamilies,coddled kids

Latch-keykids

DisintegratingTraditional,nuclear

Family

Realism,confidence,social,extreme fun

Skepticism,informality,fun

Optimism,involvement

Respectauthority,Conformers,Discipline

Core values

Millennials1980 - 2001

Gen Xers1965 - 1980

Baby Boomers1946 - 1964

Traditionalists1922 - 1945

Workplace Characteristics

participativeEntrepreneurTeam playerIndividualInteractive style

E-mail,Voice mail

Direct,Immediate

In personFormal memoCommunications

TBDEveryone isthe same,Challengeothers,Ask why

Consensual,Collegial

Directive,Command-and-control

Leadership style

BalanceBalanceNo balance,Work to live

Never the twainshall meet

Work/Lifebalance

A means toan end,fulfillment

A difficultchallenge,A contract

An excitingadventure

An obligationWork is…

What’s next?Multitasking,Tenacity,Tolerant,Goal oriented

Eliminate thetask,Self-reliance,Wantstructure anddirection,skeptical

Workaholics,Work efficiently,Personalfulfillment,Desire quality,Questionauthority

Work hard; payyour duesRespectauthority,loyal andunquestioning,Follow rules

Work Ethic

Millennials1980 - 2001

Gen Xers1965 - 1980

Baby Boomers1946 - 1964

Traditionalists1922 - 1945

Workplace Characteristics

TBDI may retireearly; I’vesaved mymoney…

If I retire whoam I? I haven’tsaved anymoney, so Ineed to work

Put in 30 years,retire and live offpension andsavings

Retirement

Willing andeager to takerisks, don’tmind makingmistakes –they considerthis a learningopportunity

Trainingenhancesversatility inthemarketplaceandinvestment intheir future

Training is acontribution totheorganization’sgoals, but also apath topromotion andcompensation

Training shouldcontribute to theorganization’sgoals

Training andDevelopment

Seekopportunitiesto take on andbe a part ofprojects,Need to havefun,Need to have asense ofcontrol overtheirenvironment

FaircompensationOpportunitiesto earn extra,time off,Enjoyableatmospherewhere workisn’t taken tooseriously

Like to berecognized forachievements,Money,Title recognition

Satisfaction in ajob well done

Rewards andcompensation

You will workwith otherbright andcreative people

Do it yourway,Forget therules

You are valued,You are needed

Your experienceis respected

Messages thatmotivate

Like to be givefeedback oftenand will askoften

Coaching,hands off typeof supervisorystyle

Officialfeedback oncea year

No news is goodnews

Providingfeedback

Millennials1980 - 2001

Gen Xers1965 - 1980

Baby Boomers1946 - 1964

Traditionalists1922 - 1945

Books• When Generations Collide:

Who They Are. Why TheyClash. How to Solve theGenerational Puzzle at Work~Lynne C. Lancaster

• Generations at Work:Managing the Clash ofVeterans, Boomers, Xers, andNexters in Your Workplace~Ron Zemke

To Listen