A Successful Multi-Generational Work Environment (From Backpacks to Briefcases-- or Notepads to I-Pads) Megan Martin Training/Development Coordinator

The Effect of Our Times The shared events and conditions each of us experience during our impressionable years help define the generation we grew up in.

The Effect of Our Times The generation we grow up in is just one of the influences on adult behavior and work relationships. allow me to be stereotypical

Why Learn About The Generations? Age is one of the most common predictors of differences in attitudes and behaviors Improve communication Promote teamwork Improve production, decrease costs; tailor programs and offerings to meet their needs

Four Generations At Work Traditionalists (Matures): born 1922-1945 Baby Boomers: born 1946-1964 Generation X: born 1965-1980 Millennials (Generation Y): born 1981-2001 Generation Z: born after 2002 71 – 94 yrs old) 52 – 70 yrs old 36 – 51 yrs old 17 – 35 yrs old 13 – 18 yrs old

Four Generations At Work Traditionalists (Matures): born 1922-1945 Baby Boomers: born 1946-1964 Generation X: born 1965-1980 Millennials (Generation Y): born 1981-2001 78 million 41 million 80 million

Four Generations At Work 5% 40% 22% 2012

Four Generations At Work 5% 40% 22% Traditionalists – .6% 2012

Four Generations At Work

Generational Differences What the older generation says about the younger generation:

Generational Differences What the older generation says about the younger generation: Young people want to change everything They never seem to want to listen They don’t have much of a work ethic Tastes and styles are different

Generational Differences What the younger generation says about the older generation:

Generational Differences What the younger generation says about the older generation: They’re too slow They don’t respect that things are different They lecture too much They’re always Saying “When I was your age…”

Generational Differences May, 1968

Generational Differences May, 1968

Shared Events Think about the shared events for each generation. Think of news headlines, politics, entertainment, technology, leadership, etc. Worksheet 1/2

Events and Experiences Traditionalists: Great Depression FDR – One President World War II Radio worksheet

Characteristics Traditionalists: Hard workers Dedication & sacrifice Respect for rules Duty before pleasure Honor, loyalty without questioning worksheet

Events and Experiences Boomers: Civil Rights Movement Sexual Revolution/ Rock and Roll Cold War Space travel Assassinations worksheet

Characteristics Boomers: Confident Solved problems by changing the rules Hierarchy at work Personal gratification Live to work – their sense of identity worksheet

Prehistoric Googling

Events and Experiences Xers: Watergate Women’s Liberation/Latch Key kids Energy Crisis Space Shuttle Challenger explodes PCs and technology worksheet

Characteristics Xers: Accept Diversity Techno literacy Informal Self-reliant/independent Pragmatic/practical Good problem solvers worksheet

Events and Experiences Millennials: Oklahoma City bombing Columbine School shootings 9/11 Child focused world Clinton / Lewinsky Technology Explosion worksheet

Characteristics Millennials Respect Diversity Techno embracing Confident/Sense of entitlement Volunteering/civic minded Live in the immediacy of the moment Good problem solvers if they are given choices worksheet

Characteristics Millennials Digital assurance Digital reliance Research everything and confer with lots of people (friends and family) before making a decision Digital filtering, randomness They choose what is the news, what they will pay attention to, decide/make their own news

Characteristics Generation Z Very entrepreneurial Internet has broken down walls/opened up possibilities for Gen. Z to create and sustain their own businesses (YouTube) Digital reliance, empowerment, arrogance Set up their own brand on-line (selfies) Self-educate and move forward based on info found on the internet Digital education Skype, FB, IM cloud/e.g. Google docs foster group collaboration and studying

Characteristics Generation Z

A Successful Workplace Environment Jennifer J. Deal, a researcher with the Center for Creative Leadership and author of Retiring the Generation Gap: How Employees Young and Old Can Find Common Ground Wisconsin State Journal; Feb. 14, 2016

A Successful Workplace Environment Jennifer J. Deal, a researcher with the Center for Creative Leadership and author of Retiring the Generation Gap: How Employees Young and Old Can Find Common Ground Wisconsin State Journal; Feb. 14, 2016 Deal’s research suggests that focusing on the similarities among your younger and older coworkers is the key.

A Successful Workplace Environment Jennifer J. Deal, a researcher with the Center for Creative Leadership and author of Retiring the Generation Gap: How Employees Young and Old Can Find Common Ground Wisconsin State Journal; Feb. 14, 2016 Deal’s research suggests that focusing on the similarities among your younger and older coworkers is the key. What are the fundamental similarities across all generations? worksheet

What Are the Fundamental Similarities Among All the Generations? worksheet

A Successful Workplace Environment What are the fundamental similarities across all generations? Jennifer J. Deal, a researcher with the Center for Creative Leadership and author of Retiring the Generation Gap: How Employees Young and Old Can Find Common Ground, has found that: regardless of generation, workers have similar values/strengths. They all want respect, want to trust their leaders, and want to learn. They are all uncomfortable with change and desire feedback. Wisconsin State Journal; Feb. 14, 2016

Leveraging Strengths GenX supervising Millennials Millennials supervising Boomers Millennials wanting feedback from Boomer or Traditionalist 4. Boomers and Traditionalists not retiring 5. Give millennials guidance and direction while appreciating their energy and self confidence. Worksheet

Successful Work Place Environment You’ve gotten to know some reasons why generations are they way they are.

Successful Work Place Environment You’ve gotten to know some reasons why generations are they way they are. You’ve talked about similarities across generations

Successful Work Place Environment You’ve gotten to know some reasons why generations are they way they are. You’ve talked about similarities across generations You’ve talked about how to leverage their strengths.

Successful Work Place Environment You’ve gotten to know some reasons why generations are they way they are. You’ve talked about similarities across generations You’ve talked about how to leverage their strengths. What do all generations want in the workplace? Worksheet

Successful Work Place Environment What does a successful work environment look like? Optimistic and clear leadership Teamwork Engaged and contributing employees Work that challenges and fulfills Work that meets a need Clear expectations Happy/content employees Secure in budget/future Fun and fulfilling work relationships – co-workers and supervisors/ connection Connection Profit from the Positive Margaret Greenburg, Senia Maymin

A Successful Workplace Environment What one thing have you learned today about the different generations, and how will you apply it to your work relationships?

Thank You!

References Zemke, Ron; Raines, Claire and Flipczak, Bob. Generations at Work: Managing the clash of Veterans, Boomers, Xers, and Nexters in Your Workplace. New York. AMACOM, 2000. Lancaster C., Lynne, Stillman, David. When Generations Collide. Harper Collins, 2002 Center for Generational Studies Office of Institutional Equity, Duke University Nemiro, Jill; Beyerlin, Michael; Bradley, Lori; Generational Differences in Virtual Teams. Jossey-Bass 2008 U.S. Labor Force Statistics, 2012 PEW Research Center http://www.pewresearch.org/about/; web