19. What defines a generation?
• A traumatic event
• A dramatic shift in demography
• A privileged interval that connects the generation
with a cycle of success and/or failure
• Creation of sacred spaces and collective memories
• The leaders of that time
• Through the work of people who know and support
each other
20. Why Learn About The Generations?
• Changing demographics
• Better understand its impact in the workplace
• Increase personal competency in communication
and management
• Promote teamwork
21. How Many Generations are Working Today?
• Answer: Four
– Traditionals
– Baby Boomers
– Generation X
– Millennials/Generation Y
22. Who is in the Workforce?
Baby Boomers
Traditionals
Gen X
Millennials
29. If so….you are a Traditional.
• Years of Birth—1900-1945
• General Characteristics
– Loyalty & faith to institutions
– Believe in a top-down approach
– Firmly believe in reward of retirement for years of
service
• Defining Technology: Radio & Telephone
• Communication Style: One on one, write a memo
30. Traditionals prefer
• Hard work
• Dedication & sacrifice
• Respect for rules
• Duty before pleasure
• Honor
• Well-defined hierarchy
31. Traditionals at Work
Assets Liabilities
• Stable • Inept w/ambiguity and change
• Detail oriented • Reluctant to buck the system
• Uncomfortable with conflict
• Thorough
• Reticent when they disagree
• Loyal
• Hard working
32. When communicating with a Traditional
• If your boss is a Traditional, determine their
tolerance for input & questions
• Traditionals follow credible leaders who listen well, if
you supervise them give weight to their opinion
• Be sure to tell them that they are critical to success
• Traditionals feel respected when you follow their
suggestions
• Use them as coaches/mentors for all generations
• Traditionals expect leaders to delegate. If you
supervise them define tasks clearly.
• Offer them training in their fields and in computer
skills.
33. Messages that Motivate Matures
• ―Your experience is respected here.‖
• ―It’s important for the rest of us to hear what has, and
hasn’t, worked in the past.‖
• ―Your perseverance is valued and will be rewarded.‖
38. If so…you are a Baby Boomer
• Years of birth—1946-1964
• General characteristics
– Economically optimistic
– Driven by competition and material rewards
– Hard working
– Focused on ―big picture‖
• Defining Technology: Television
• Communication style: Phone call, Call me anytime
39. Boomers prefer
• Collegial & consensual work relationships
• Concerned about participation and spirit in the
workplace
• Prefer a lot of communication
• Share responsibility
• Respect each other’s autonomy
• Dislike traditional hierarchy
40. Boomers at Work
Assets Liabilities
• Service oriented • Not naturally ―budget minded‖
• Driven • Uncomfortable with conflict
• Willing to ―go the • Reluctant to go against peers
extra mile‖ • Put process ahead of results
• Good at • Sensitive to feedback
relationships
• Judgmental of those who see
• Want to please things differently
• Good team players
41. When communicating with a Boomer
• Boomers look for credible leaders they can trust, do
your best to keep them informed about coming
changes
• Provide retirement coaching
• Ask what they want to achieve in their remaining
work years
• Ask Boomers to act as coaches for Xs & Millennials
• Offer them training in leadership skills as well as
flex-time and work-life balance
42. Messages that Motivate Boomers
• ―You are important to our success.‖
• ―We recognize your unique and important
contribution to our team.‖
• What is your vision for this project?‖
• ―You are valued.‖
48. If so…you are a Generation X’er
• Years of birth—1965-1980
• General characteristics
– Skeptical about the safety & predictability of the
world
– Independent
– Resourceful
– Media savvy
– Brutally honest
• Defining Technology: Computer
• Communication Style: Cell phones, call at work,
email
49. Gen Xer’s prefer
• Fair, competent & straightforward
• Do not respect authority prefer egalitarian
relationships
• Like to be challenged and thrive on change
50. Xers at Work
Assets Liabilities
• Adaptable • Impatient
• Techno-literate • Poor people skills
• Independent • Inexperienced
• Not intimidated by • Cynical
authority
• Creative
51. When communicating with a Gen Xer
• Don’t expect deference from this group
• Gen X is not likely to do what you say without asking
questions
• They feel respected when you listen to their ideas
• Typically dress less formally than Boomers &
Traditionals
• Often the greatest reward you can give them is the
freedom to work independently
• Reward Gen X with control over their time and
greater work-life balance
• Offer them the option of leadership training
• Gen X is loyal to people over companies. To retain
them inform them about coming changes
• Keep meetings short & agendas clear
52. Messages that Motivate Gen X’ers
• ―Do it your way.‖
• ―We’ve got the latest computer technology.‖
• ―There aren’t a lot of rules here.‖
• ―We’re not very corporate.‖
57. If so…you are a Millennial
• Years of birth—1981-2002
• General characteristics
– Realistic
– Self-controlled
– Collaborative
– Driven by meaning in their work
– Experts in the use of technology
• Defining Technology: Cell Phone
• Communication style: Social media, text messages
58. Millennials prefer
• Prefer polite relationship with authority
• Like leaders that pull people together
• Believe that collective action will achieve change
59. Millennials at Work
Assets Liabilities
• Loyalty • Need for supervision
• Optimism and structure
• Tolerant • Inexperience,
particularly with
• Multi-tasking handling different
• Fast-thinking people issues
• Technologically savvy • Service levels are low
60. When communicating with a Millennial
• Provide short-term goals and structure small,
multiple job steps
• Allow multi-tasking
• They are more likely to job jump
• Check in with them often
• Answer all their questions, the questions signify
interest not disrespect
• Keep meetings short and focused
• Use email and text messages to reach the Millenials
• Offer them training in leadership and problem-
solving
61. Messages that Motivate Millennials
• ―We provide equal opportunities here.‖
• ―Your mentor is in his/her sixties.‖
• ―You are making a positive difference to our
company.‖
• ―You handled that situation well.‖
