Generational Differences in the Workplace Barbara van der Schalie, SAIC-Frederick

Once Upon a Time What’s happening?

Once Upon a Time The Generational Link “High”AwakeningUnravelingCrises

Events Shape Society The Generational Link 2010 “High”AwakeningUnravelingCrises Matures ( )Vets/Traditionalists ( ) Boomers ( ) Gen X ( ) Millenials ( ) EarlyBoomers ( ) Late Boomers ( )

MaturesBoomers X’ers Y’ers Date of birth Age today Number in population Defining events Core values In the workplace

The events and conditions each of us experience during our formative years help define who we are and how we view the world. The generation we grow up in is just one of the influences on adult behavior.

“Matures”/Veterans + Silents/Traditionalists BoomersXersNexters (Y) Millenials Date of birth (36 years) (18 years) (13 years) Age today Number55 million77 million51 million75 million “Claim to fame”GIs and Silents (Jimmy Carter, Charlton Heston, George Bush, Sr, Billy Graham) Largest, “Me Generation” (Beatles, Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Oprah, Muhammed Ali, Hillary Clinton) “It’s only a job!” “Carpe diem” (Barak Obama, Halle Berry, Beyonce, Johnny Depp, Monica Lewinsky) Doted on Sheltered (Eminem, Macaulay Culkin, Pris Hilton, Britanny Spears Position in business community Connected and Influential Wealthiest generation Hold most of the “good jobs” and occupy most “important posts” Very mixed Oldest ones in management Just entering the business community Defining EventsWW I/II Great Depression Pearl Harbor Hiroshima Korean War Golden Age of Radio “Silver Screen” Labor Unions Television Woodstock Assassinations Vietnam Civil Rights Cold War Roe vs. Wade Space Race Watergate Latchkey kids Single parents MTV Atari AIDS Personal Computers Challenger Children of the Boomers and Oldest Gen X’ers Internet Boom School Violence Oklahoma City Bombing Cell phones 9/11

So, who are these people?

“Matures”/Veterans + Silents/Traditionalists BoomersXersNexters (Y) Millenials Date of birth (36 years) (18 years) (13 years) Age today Number55 million77 million51 million75 million “Claim to fame”GIs and Silents (Jimmy Carter, Charlton Heston, George Bush, Sr, Billy Graham) Largest, “Me Generation” (Beatles, Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Oprah, Muhammed Ali) “It’s only a job!” “Carpe diem” (Barak Obama, Halle Berry, Beyonce, Johnny Depp) Doted on Sheltered Position in business community Connected and Influential Wealthiest generation Hold most of the “good jobs” and occupy most “important posts” Very mixed Oldest ones in management Just entering the business community Defining EventsWW I/II Great Depression Pearl Harbor Hiroshima Korean War Golden Age of Radio “Silver Screen” Labor Unions Television Woodstock Assassinations Vietnam Civil Rights Cold War Roe vs. Wade Space Race Watergate Latchkey kids Single parents MTV Atari AIDS Personal Computers Challenger Children of the Boomers and Oldest Gen X’ers Internet Boom School Violence Oklahoma City Bombing Cell phones 9/11 53% female 47% male 64% married 77% w/family 20% diverse 52% female 48% male 70% married 88% w/family 21% diverse 43% female 57% male 53% married 84% w/family 30% diverse 43% female 57% male 11% married 64% w/family 32% diverse

“Matures”/Veterans + Silents/Traditionalists BoomersXersNexters (Y) Millenials Date of birth (36 years) (18 years) (13 years) Age today Number55 million77 million51 million75 million “Claim to fame”GIs and Silents (Jimmy Carter, Charlton Heston, George Bush, Sr, Billy Graham) Largest, “Me Generation” (Beatles, Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Oprah, Muhammed Ali) “It’s only a job!” “Carpe diem” (Barak Obama, Halle Berry, Beyonce, Johnny Depp) Doted on Sheltered Position in business community Connected and Influential Wealthiest generation Hold most of the “good jobs” and occupy most “important posts” Very mixed Oldest ones in management Just entering the business community Defining EventsWW I/II Great Depression Pearl Harbor Hiroshima Korean War Golden Age of Radio “Silver Screen” Labor Unions Television Woodstock Assassinations Vietnam Civil Rights Cold War Roe vs. Wade Space Race Watergate Latchkey kids Single parents MTV Atari AIDS Personal Computers Challenger Children of the Boomers and Oldest Gen X’ers Internet Boom School Violence Oklahoma City Bombing Cell phones 9/11 Core ValuesDedication/Loyalty Sacrifice Hard Work/Quality Conformity Law and Order/Rules Patience Respect for Authority Duty before Pleasure Honor Optimism Competitive Importance of Individual Teamwork Personal Gratification Health and Wellness Personal Growth Strong Work Ethic Hours not Product “Workaholic” “Face Time” with Boss Wary/skeptical/pessimistic Cynicism about work Institutional failure Diversity Thinking Globally Balance Technoliteracy Fun Informality Self-reliance Pragmatism Confidence Civic Duty Achievement Mobility Sociability Diversity Street Smarts

“Matures”/Veterans + Silents/Traditionalists BoomersXersNexters (Y) Millenials Date of birth (36 years) (18 years) (13 years) Age today Number55 million77 million51 million75 million “Claim to fame”GIs and Silents (Jimmy Carter, Charlton Heston, George Bush, Sr, Billy Graham) Largest, “Me Generation” (Beatles, Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Oprah, Muhammed Ali) “It’s only a job!” “Carpe diem” (Barak Obama, Halle Berry, Beyonce, Johnny Depp) Doted on Sheltered Position in business community Connected and Influential Wealthiest generation Hold most of the “good jobs” and occupy most “important posts” Very mixed Oldest ones in management Just entering the business community Defining EventsWW I/II Great Depression Pearl Harbor Hiroshima Korean War Golden Age of Radio “Silver Screen” Labor Unions Television Woodstock Assassinations Vietnam Civil Rights Cold War Roe vs. Wade Space Race Watergate Latchkey kids Single parents MTV Atari AIDS Personal Computers Challenger Children of the Boomers and Oldest Gen X’ers Internet Boom School Violence Oklahoma City Bombing Cell phones 9/11 Core ValuesDedication/Loyalty Sacrifice Hard Work/Quality Conformity Law and Order/Rules Patience Respect for Authority Duty before Pleasure Honor Optimism Competitive Importance of Individual Teamwork Personal Gratification Health and Wellness Personal Growth Strong Work Ethic Hours not Product “Workaholic” “Face Time” with Boss Wary/skeptical/pessimistic Cynicism about work Institutional failure Diversity Thinking Globally Balance Technoliteracy Fun Informality Self-reliance Pragmatism Confidence Civic Duty Achievement Mobility Sociability Diversity Street Smarts In the WorkplaceLoyal and expect loyalty in all Super interpersonal skills Enjoy flex time Promotions based on tenure Timeliness, productivity “Standard model” Loyal and expect loyalty in all Relationships Gain control of their time Rules made to be followed “Customization” “Techno cautious” Open communication Production over tenure PERSON to trust Want options Can spot a phony Peer to peer referral Individual who will help them Constant communication Positive reinforcement Looking for great personal fulfillment Don’t want to be hurried

Effects of Defining Events Matures WW II, Korean War, Silver Screen, Silent Movies Boomers Television, Vietnam War, Assassinations X’ers Latchkey kids, personal computers, Atari, MTV, Watergate Y’ers/Millenials Internet, Chat room, Cell phones, 9-11

Effects of Defining Events Communication Media Traditionalists: rotary phone, one-on-one, memos Boomers: touch tone phones, call me anytime X’ers: cell phones, call me at work Y’ers/Millennials: internet, picture phones, i-phones,

Effects of Defining Events Money Traditionalists: Put it away, pay cash Boomers: Buy now, pay later X’ers: Conservative, save, save, save Y’ers/Millennials: Earn to spend

Effects of Defining Events Education Traditionalists: A dream Boomers: A birthright Xers: A way to get there Y’ers/Millennials: An incredible expense

Effects of Defining Events Learning Modes Visual Auditory Kinesthetic/Tactile Example: How would you like to be taught to do this? Read instructions (visual) Have it explained verbally (auditory) Manipulate it yourself (kinesthetic/tactile)

In the Workplace Career goals Traditionalists: build a legacy Boomers: build a stellar career X’ers: build a portable career Y’ers/Millennials: build parallel careers

In the Workplace Tenure Traditionalists: One job in career Boomers: Company loyalty, transition difficult X’ers: Several different jobs, same career Y’ers/Millennials: Several different careers

In the Workplace Balance Traditionalists: allow me the balance I have earned Boomers: help me balance everyone else and find meaning myself, sandwich generation X’ers: give me balance/flexibility now, not when I’m 65 Y’ers/Millennials: work isn’t everything, if you don’t give it to me, I will find it elsewhere

In the Workplace Feedback Traditionalists: No news is good news Boomers: Once a year with lots of documentation X’ers: Sorry to interrupt but how am I doing? Y’ers/Millennials: Feedback whenever requested, as soon as requested

What does it all mean?

Keys to Managing the Generations Appreciation/Acceptance Expectations Process Direct contact Ambition vs. Direction Technoliteracy

Managing the Generations Focus on GOALS. Inclusive vs. exclusive Tradition vs. legacy Invest in talent. Manage change. Show EVERYONE the future.