Please Respect My Generation! 5 Generations at work SAIGE 10th Annual National Training Conference Thursday, June 6, 2013 10:15 am – 11:30 am Northern Quest Hotel, Spokane, Washington Presented by: Cynthia D. Dunn, Director Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Tax Exempt and Government Entities (TE/GE) Division Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Washington, DC

Who Am I? Cynthia Dunn, Director, IRS, TE/GE, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Highest Ranking Native American Ancestry Official in TE/GE 33 Years of Federal Service EEO/EDI/Diversity/Civil Rights Field since 1992 Lifetime Member of SAIGE Tribal Affiliation = Crow, Blackfeet, and Black Hawk Proud Mother and Grandmother

Agenda Generational BINGO – Opening Exercise The Aging Workforce The Five Generations at Work Generational Communication/Biases Generational Talk – Exercise Generational Quotes The F.A.I.R. Approach to Generational Diversity A Quick Review The Way We Lived - Exercise Our Future Generation Questions? Contact Information

Generational Diversity Bingo – Opening Exercise A person over 50 years of age A lifetime member of SAIGE A person who has attended a Tribal College or University A person who speaks more than one language 1st time in Spokane A person who is of Navajo decent A person who grew up on an Indian reservation A person under 30 years of age A person who has lived outside of the USA A person who is left-handed A person who has attended more than one SAIGE Conference A person who marched for a cause FREE SPACE A person who has worked for 3 or more federal government agencies A person who is registered with the Bureau of Indian Affairs A person who has over 25 years of federal service A person with American Indian/ Alaskan Native heritage A person who was born on a recognized day of celebration A person who has attended a Pow Wow SAIGE Board Member (present or past) A person who has both parents still living A person who has experienced discrimination 1st SAIGE Conference A person who has less than 10 years of federal service Cherokee Tribal Affiliation

Generational Diversity BINGO

The Aging Workforce

People are Living Longer… George Roberts, born 1908, Oldest and Longest-serving Federal Employee Emma Tillman, born 1892, died @ 114 yrs old January 28, 2007 Madame Jeanne Louise Calment, born 1875 (died @ 122 years, 164 days old August 4, 1997)

The Aging Workforce

The Five Generations at work

Matures Born before 1939 Influenced by the Military 35 million people today Hard Workers Respect for Rules Dedicated to the Job

Tips on Working with Matures Allow the employee to set the “rules of engagement” Ask what has worked for them in the past and fit your approach to that experience Let them define quality and fit your approach to that definition Use testimonials from the nation’s institutions (government, business, or people) Emphasize that you’ve seen a particular approach work in the past, don’t highlight uniqueness

Baby Boomers 1940-1963 Most influential people today 80 million people Team Oriented Personal Gratification and Growth Ambitious and Driven to Succeed

Tips on Working with Baby Boomers Show them how you can help them use time wisely Assess their comfort level with technology in advance Demonstrate how important a strong team is Customize your style to their unique needs Emphasize that working with you will be a good experience for them Emphasize that their decision is a good one and a “victory” for them—they’re competitive and want to win Follow up and check in and ask how the individual is doing on a regular basis

Generation X 1964-1980 Prove it to me 45 million people Fun and Informative Self Reliant and Pragmatic Techno Literacy

Tips on Working with Generation X Put all the options on the table Be prepared to answer “why” Present yourself as an information provider Use their peers as testimonials when possible Appear to enjoy your work Follow up and meet your commitments. They’re eager to improve and expect you to follow through

Generation Millennials or Generation Y 1981-1990 Instant Gratification 75 million people Feel Civic Duty Optimistic Achievement Oriented

Tips on Working with Millennials/Generation Y Offer customization—a plan specific to them Offer peer-level examples Spend time providing information and guidance Be impressed with their decisions

Newest Generation – Generation 9/11 Born after 1991 Less optimistic about the future Not many are in the workforce yet Questions the Importance of College All They Know is War Start Working early

Tips on Working with Generation 9/11 Understand that all they know is war, consequently they will face the aftermath of the Iraq war and the effects of today’s political decisions. They are emotionally tied to global violence and economic issues. If dissatisfied in the workplace they are most likely to change jobs We’ll be learning more about this generation over time

Tips on Working with Generation 9/11 Understand that all they know is war, consequently they will face the aftermath of the Iraq war and the effects of today’s political decisions. They are emotionally tied to global violence and economic issues. If dissatisfied in the workplace they are most likely to change jobs We’ll be learning more about this generation over time

Generational Communication How is communicating with someone from another generation different from communicating with someone from your own generation? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages?

Determining Generational Biases How do you prefer to communicate – email or phone? What operating system are you running? Do you participate or allow your employees participate in the alternate work schedules?

What Can We Do to Keep Generational Biases Out of the Workplace? Understand that generations, like ethic traits or other personal characteristics, help make us who we are. These differences contribute to a diverse and vibrant workplace. Respect those differences. Try to understand those differences and think positively about them. Treat others with respect at all times. Try to avoid all stereotypes, be they negative or positive. Remember that all traits of a generation may not apply to everyone in that generation. Try to be flexible with others. Explain to others why it is wrong if you feel that you’re being stereotyped. Try to learn from one another what each generation has to offer.

Generational Talk - Exercise Acronyms or Text Talk? Abbreviations? Social Media (Facebook, twitter, texting) What in the world does that stand for?

Generational Quotes “Wisdom is perishable. Unlike information or knowledge, it cannot be stored in a computer or recorded in a book. It expires with each passing generation.” “Before you go and criticize the younger generation, just remember who raised them.” “Blessed is the generation in which the old listen to the young; and doubly blessed is the generation in which the young listen to the old”

F.A.I.R. Approach to Generational Diversity F = Feedback A = Assistance I = Inclusion R = Respect

A Quick Review Generational context is not about age, but common experiences Acknowledge your team’s expectations, not just your own Different is neither right nor wrong, just different Age-ism is the death of any coaching strategy Generational understanding does not take the place of concern for the individual Different generations care about different approaches to the same problem – highlight points accordingly Technology is not universal – assess your team members’ affinity level before making communication assumptions

The Way We Lived… A Generational Exercise Name a political or major event that impacted your life/generation. Tell us about your music/movies/food/ clothing. Describe to us the technology in your generation. Who are your heroes? What do you like about your generation?

Our Future Generation

Questions?

MY Contact Information Cynthia Dunn, Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) IRS - TE/GE: Office of EDI 999 North Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone: 202-283-9959 Cell: 202-360-0867 Cynthia.D.Dunn@irs.gov