When Generations Collide

Bridging the generation gap in your workplace

Jana DobbsCommunity Bank PresidentCornerBank, www.cornerbanks.com

The Gap

More generations than ever before are represented in today’s workplace Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation Xers Millennials

Who are these people and why are they getting on your nerves?

Gauging the gap

The Funky Chicken is…a. A dance created in the late 1960sb. A description of malodorous fowl in

the 1970sc. Football’s now-traditional touchdown

dance, which premiered in 1974d. None of thesee. All of these

Gauging the gap

The Funky Chicken is…a. A dance created in the late 1960sb. A description of malodorous fowl in

the 1970sc. Football’s now-traditional touchdown

dance, which premiered in 1974d. None of thesee. All of these

Gauging the gap

Spam is…a. A canned spiced ham requiring no

refrigerationb. Unsolicited email, usually an

advertisement, considered junk mailc. A comedy routine by Monty Pythond. Credited with keeping the Red Army

alive during World War IIe. All of the above

Gauging the gap

Spam is…a. A canned spiced ham requiring no

refrigerationb. Unsolicited email, usually an

advertisement, considered junk mailc. A comedy routine by Monty Pythond. Credited with keeping the Red Army

alive during World War IIe. All of the above

Gauging the gap

P. Diddy is...a. A happy little tune, easily

remembered, usually whistledb. A move in tiddlywinks that wins the

gamec. The name of a rapper and member of

the Bad Boy familyd. A specialized drive on a motherboard

Gauging the gap

P. Diddy is...a. A happy little tune, easily

remembered, usually whistledb. A move in tiddlywinks that wins the

gamec. The name of a rapper and

member of the Bad Boy familyd. A specialized drive on a motherboard

Gauging the gap

Instant messenger is…a. The latest acquisition by Federal

Express aimed at making inroads in the local delivery market

b. A form of email in which conversations are held in real time

c. Hallmark’s newest line of greeting cards

d. A rock band with social and political overtones

Gauging the gap

Instant messenger is…a. The latest acquisition by Federal Express

aimed at making inroads in the local delivery market

b. A form of email in which conversations are held in real time

c. Hallmark’s newest line of greeting cardsd. A rock band with social and political

overtones

Gauging the gap

When I think of nationally advertised fast-food restaurants, I think of…

a. Good friesb. The meal deals with toys I collected as

a kidc. Drive-thru efficiencyd. High-fat, high-salt and empty calories

Gauging the gap

When I think of nationally advertised fast-food restaurants, I think of…

It depends… Gen X & Millennials: great fries and

popular toys Driven Boomers: Efficient, but slightly

evil, necessity Traditionalists: Potentially fatal and

artery-clogging

Traditionalists Born 1922 to 1945 AKA…

World War II generation The Greatest Generation

Shaped by… Two world wars The Great Depression

Characteristics Loyal, hardworking, financially conservative Approaching retirement or partially retired

Traditionalist Values

Obedience Consistency Uniformity Conformity Law and order Give them logic—not feelings or personal

information They believe in “brighter futures,” and

when making hard decisions, they look to history to find precedents that worked

Baby Boomers

Born 1946 to 1964 Characteristics

Boundless optimism Workaholics Challenge the status quo Deeply connected to career

achievements Politically adept in the workplace

Baby Boomers

Shaped by John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr.,

Robert Kennedy assassinations Vietnam War Civil Rights movement Moon landing

Baby Boomer Values

Personal gratification Individuality Unpredictability Older Boomers are idealistic

workaholics and economic achievers Younger Boomers value family

Generation Xers

Born 1965 to 1980 Characteristics

Used to adapting, they are skilled at reacting to change

Technologically savvy They prefer informality in the

workplace Don’t expect employer loyalty Resourceful and hardworking, but have

a life after 5 p.m.

Generation Xers

Shaped by Watergate Rising divorce rates Challenger explosion Religious scandals Corporate corruption

Generation Xers Values

Unimpressed by leaders Skeptical of authority Give trust or loyalty only cautiously Family time, life “balance” Not afraid to change jobs to

advance professionally

Millennials

Born 1981 to 1999 Approximately 79 million Americans

Being compared to Boomers due to the size of the generation

AKA… Generation Y Echo Boomers

Shaped by OJ’s acquittal Columbine shootings President Clinton’s impeachment 9/11

Millennial characteristics

They are volunteering in record numbers. They view Boomers as “talkers” and

consider themselves “doers.” Nearly 35 percent of Millennials are

nonwhite or Latino, versus only 14 percent of Traditionalists.

One out of every four members lives in a single-parent environment and three in every four have working mothers.

Millennial values

Family Community Collaboration and teamwork Flexibility Eager to learn Closely resemble Traditionalists Value rules More socially conservative than their

parents

Millennial Values

In fact, this generation has reversed nearly every negative societal trend started by the Boomers. Violent crime among teenagers is down

60 to 70 percent. The use of tobacco and alcohol are at

all-time lows. So is teen pregnancy. Five out of 10 Millennials say they trust

the government and virtually all of them trust mom and dad.

Bridging the gap

View the world through another generation’s eyes Multiple lens exercise The world events that shaped their lives have

created their unique perspective in the workplace

Bridging the gap

Build on each others’ strengths to maximize your efficiency.

Traditionalists – lessons learned Boomers – navigating politics Gen Xers – multitasking Millennials – technology and reverse mentoring

Working with traditionalists

Honor the chain of command Offer them job security Value their experience Appreciate their dedication

Working with Baby Boomers

Show respect Choose face-to-face conversations Give them your full attention Play the game Learn the corporate history

Working with Gen Xers

Get to the point Use email or IM (instant messaging) Give them space Get over dues paying Lighten up

Working with Millennials

Challenge them Ask them their opinion Find them a traditionalist mentor Provide timely feedback

The best bridge…

Finding common ground What do you value?

Bonus points…the 5 C’s of winning the Millennial audience

Clarity. Drop the gimmicks and start shooting it straight.

Connexity. Use technology to add convenience to hectic lifestyles and to cut through the clutter.

Customization. If a Millennial can build the exact Jeep they want, why not the exact checking account they want?

Community. Millennials like hands-on organizations that get things done.

Choice. It’s the Millennials’ prerogative.

Sources

Howe, Neil and Strauss, William. Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation. Copyright 2000.

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Generation Studies, www.northwesternmutual.com

www.onpoint-marketing.com. Accessed July 19, 2005. www.census.gov Harris Interactive Millennium Generation Studies: The

Fifth Study. Revised Report, June 13, 2004. www.cnn.com. Workplace generation gap Kroft, Steve. The Echo Boomers. Sept. 4, 2005. CBS

News. Transcript accessed at www.cbsnews.com on Oct. 24, 2005.