Multigenerational Communication WVASFAA Fall Conference 2010 Presenter: Damia Dobbs West Virginia University Thursday, October 28, 2010

Multigenerational Communication A generation is defined by the common attitudes, experiences and preferences that develop in the context of social and economic events of a defined period of time.

Multigenerational Communication Which of the following means the most to you? Elvis joins the Army Elvis joins the Army Jimi Hendrix dies Jimi Hendrix dies MTV debuts MTV debuts Kurt Cobain dies Kurt Cobain dies

Multigenerational Communication The answer depends on your age- or more specifically, on the generation that you belong to. Elvis was drafted in 1959 Elvis was drafted in 1959 Jimi Hendrix died in 1970 Jimi Hendrix died in 1970 MTV debuted in 1981 MTV debuted in 1981 Kurt Cobain died in 1994 Kurt Cobain died in 1994

Multigenerational Communication Why is it important to understand the differences in generations? Why is it important to understand the differences in generations? Different viewpoints Different viewpoints Different ways of putting it into action Different ways of putting it into action Experiences, ideas and values shared by people of different generations makes for a melting pot of work approaches and priorities. Experiences, ideas and values shared by people of different generations makes for a melting pot of work approaches and priorities.

Four Groups Traditionalists ( ) Traditionalists ( ) Baby Boomers ( ) Baby Boomers ( ) Generation Xers ( ) Generation Xers ( ) Millennials or Gen Y ( ) Millennials or Gen Y ( )

Traditionalists Grew up with adversity Grew up with adversity Learned values from extended family Learned values from extended family Strong beliefs about hard work, ethics, right and wrong Strong beliefs about hard work, ethics, right and wrong Massive layoffs in the 70s were very detrimental Massive layoffs in the 70s were very detrimental Women in the workplace Women in the workplace

Baby Boomers Rules are not for us Rules are not for us Buy now, pay later Buy now, pay later Have it all and be noticed for it Have it all and be noticed for it What we deserve What we deserve It’s about experience It’s about experience Balance in a stress-filled schedule Balance in a stress-filled schedule

Baby Boomers cont. “Suburbia” was created “Suburbia” was created Questioned policies, rules and practices Questioned policies, rules and practices Protests of the 60’s Protests of the 60’s Creation of the middle class Creation of the middle class Quest to remain young Quest to remain young

Generation X Resourcefulness Resourcefulness Skepticism Skepticism Focus on quality Focus on quality Impatience with “Boomer” mentality Impatience with “Boomer” mentality Balance of life Balance of life Peer-focused Peer-focused

Generation X cont. Dual career couples Dual career couples Product of technology Product of technology Employment is a contract, not a life style Employment is a contract, not a life style Smallest generation in recent history Smallest generation in recent history

Millennials Speed/ Impatience Speed/ Impatience Expectancy of choice Expectancy of choice Non-stop fun Non-stop fun Convenience Convenience Skepticism of marketing in general Skepticism of marketing in general Unprecedented growth Unprecedented growth

Millennials cont. All conventions and individuals can be challenged All conventions and individuals can be challenged One in three defined by the US government as a minority One in three defined by the US government as a minority Navigate huge technology, but problems with problem solving and taking risks Navigate huge technology, but problems with problem solving and taking risks

Traditionalist/Baby Boomer Combo Your job is what you are Your job is what you are I remember back when…… I remember back when…… Good things come to those who wait Good things come to those who wait If your hands aren’t busy, your not working If your hands aren’t busy, your not working We have a system for everything We have a system for everything Technology will never overcome hard work Technology will never overcome hard work

Millenial / Gen X Combo A job is a contract, not a calling A job is a contract, not a calling Focus on the outcome rather than the task Focus on the outcome rather than the task Balance is more important than money Balance is more important than money Management should be partners with employees Management should be partners with employees Life is too short to “pay your dues” Life is too short to “pay your dues”

Events and Experiences Traditionalists- Loyal Great Depression Great Depression New Deal New Deal World War II World War II Korean War Korean War

Events and Experiences Boomers- Optimistic Civil Rights Civil Rights Sexual Revolution Sexual Revolution Cold War Cold War Space Travel Space Travel Assassinations of JFK, Robert Kennedy and MLK Assassinations of JFK, Robert Kennedy and MLK Breakdown of Family Breakdown of Family

Events and Experience Generation Xers- Skeptical Fall of Berlin Wall Fall of Berlin Wall Watergate Watergate Women’s Liberation Women’s Liberation Desert Storm Desert Storm Energy Crisis Energy Crisis

Events and Experiences Millennials - Realistic School Shootings School Shootings Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Technology Technology Child Focused World Child Focused World Clinton/ Lewinsky Clinton/ Lewinsky

Values Traditionals: Believe in conformity, authority and rules Believe in conformity, authority and rules Believe in logic Believe in logic Very defined sense of right and wrong Very defined sense of right and wrong Loyalty and respect for authority Loyalty and respect for authority

Values Baby Boomers: Individual choice Individual choice Community involvement Community involvement Prosperity Prosperity Ownership Ownership Self-actualizing Self-actualizing Health and wellness Health and wellness

Values Generation X: Contribution Contribution Feedback and recognition Feedback and recognition Autonomy Autonomy Time with manager Time with manager

Values Millennials: Self-expression is more important than self-control Self-expression is more important than self-control Marketing and branding self is important Marketing and branding self is important Violence is an acceptable means of communication Violence is an acceptable means of communication Fear living poorly- this is related to lifestyle enjoyment, not wealth Fear living poorly- this is related to lifestyle enjoyment, not wealth

Music Millennials have always had CD players Millennials have always had CD players Gen Xers had Walkmans Gen Xers had Walkmans Baby Boomers remember 8 Tracks Baby Boomers remember 8 Tracks Traditionalists listened to 45’s Traditionalists listened to 45’s

Pop Culture George Foreman has always been a bbq grill salesman for Millennials George Foreman has always been a bbq grill salesman for Millennials Cher was an actress for Gen Xers Cher was an actress for Gen Xers Cher was a TV star for Baby Boomers Cher was a TV star for Baby Boomers Cher was a singer for Traditionalists Cher was a singer for Traditionalists

Space Travel For Millennials, the US and the Soviets have always been partners in space For Millennials, the US and the Soviets have always been partners in space Gen Xers saw the beginning of shuttles Gen Xers saw the beginning of shuttles Baby Boomers saw man on the moon Baby Boomers saw man on the moon Traditionalist remember John Glenn Traditionalist remember John Glenn

Television FOX has always been a television network choice for Millennials FOX has always been a television network choice for Millennials Gen Xers enjoyed the benefits of cable Gen Xers enjoyed the benefits of cable Baby Boomers enjoyed the Big Three networks ABC, NBC and CBS Baby Boomers enjoyed the Big Three networks ABC, NBC and CBS Traditionalists enjoyed actually having TV Traditionalists enjoyed actually having TV

Style Millenial women have always had tattoos Millenial women have always had tattoos Gen Xers remembers when MTV actually played music videos. Gen Xers remembers when MTV actually played music videos. Baby Boomers will remember Woodstock and some of them won’t Baby Boomers will remember Woodstock and some of them won’t Traditionals survived the Great Depression Traditionals survived the Great Depression

“The Family Car” Millennials grew up in minivans Millennials grew up in minivans Gen Xers and Baby Boomers actually drove to school Gen Xers and Baby Boomers actually drove to school Traditionals remember their station wagon fondly Traditionals remember their station wagon fondly

Multigenerational Work Place It is important to consider generational differences when dealing with the workplace It is important to consider generational differences when dealing with the workplace Understanding where the individual is coming from will aid in targeting your mentoring style to bring out their strengths and make the most progress Understanding where the individual is coming from will aid in targeting your mentoring style to bring out their strengths and make the most progress

Work Styles Traditional: Consistency and uniformity Consistency and uniformity Seek out technological advances Seek out technological advances Past-oriented Past-oriented Command and control leadership reminiscent of military operations Command and control leadership reminiscent of military operations Prefer hierarchical organizational structures and will continue to view horizontal structure in a hierarchical way Prefer hierarchical organizational structures and will continue to view horizontal structure in a hierarchical way

Work Styles Baby Boomer: Confidence in tasks Confidence in tasks Emphasize team building Emphasize team building Seek collaborative, group decision making Seek collaborative, group decision making Avoid conflict Avoid conflict

Work Styles Generation X: High-quality end results High-quality end results Productivity Productivity Balance between work and life- work to live not live to work Balance between work and life- work to live not live to work Flexible work hours/ job sharing appealing Flexible work hours/ job sharing appealing Free agents Free agents See self as a marketing commodity See self as a marketing commodity Comfortable with authority but not impressed with titles Comfortable with authority but not impressed with titles

Work Styles Millennials: Want to know how what they do fits into the big picture and need to understand how everything fits together- want to effect change and make an impact Want to know how what they do fits into the big picture and need to understand how everything fits together- want to effect change and make an impact View their work as an expression of themselves; not as a definition of themselves View their work as an expression of themselves; not as a definition of themselves Exceptional multi-taskers- need more than activity happening at a time Exceptional multi-taskers- need more than activity happening at a time Seek active versus passive involvement Seek active versus passive involvement Less likely to seek managerial or team leadership positions that would compromise life outside of work Less likely to seek managerial or team leadership positions that would compromise life outside of work

Work Styles Millennials: Seek flexibility in work hours and dress code Seek flexibility in work hours and dress code Seek a relaxed work environment- bright colors, open seating, personal touches Seek a relaxed work environment- bright colors, open seating, personal touches Expect corporate social responsibility and will not work for or purchase products from organizations that are not socially responsible Expect corporate social responsibility and will not work for or purchase products from organizations that are not socially responsible Seek work in teams Seek work in teams Seek continuing learning and will take advantage of training made available to them Seek continuing learning and will take advantage of training made available to them Want everything instantly—everything now Want everything instantly—everything now

Attributes Traditional: Disciplined Disciplined View an understanding of history as a way to plan for the future View an understanding of history as a way to plan for the future Dislike conflict Dislike conflict Detail oriented Detail oriented

Attributes Baby Boomer: Adaptive Adaptive Goal-oriented Goal-oriented Focus on individual choices and freedom Focus on individual choices and freedom Adaptive to a diverse workplace Adaptive to a diverse workplace Positive attitude Positive attitude

Attributes Generation X: Adaptability Adaptability Independence Independence

Attributes Millenial: Adapt rapidly Adapt rapidly Crave change and challenge Crave change and challenge Create constantly Create constantly Exceptionally resilient Exceptionally resilient Committed and loyal when dedicated to an idea, cause or product Committed and loyal when dedicated to an idea, cause or product Accept others of diverse backgrounds easily and openly Accept others of diverse backgrounds easily and openly Global perspective Global perspective

Career Goals Traditionalists: “Build a Legacy” Baby Boomers: “ Build a Stellar Career” Generation Xers: “Build a Portable Career” Millennials: “Build Parallel Careers”

Rewards Traditionalists: “Satisfaction of a job well done” Baby Boomers: “Money, title, recognition, the corner office” Generation Xers: “Freedom is the ultimate reward” Millennials: “Work that has meaning for me”

Job Changing Traditional: “Job changing carries a stigma” Baby Boomer: “Job changing puts you behind” Generation X: “Job changing is necessary” Millennial: “Job changing is part of my daily routine”

Training Traditional: “I learned the hard way; you can too!” Baby Boomer: “Train them too much and they will leave” Generation X: “The more they learn, the more they stay” Millennials: “Continuous learning is a way of life”

Multigenerational Communication Keeping these generational differences in mind can make dealing with co-workers, as well as students less of a challenge. Remember to discard biases and preconceived notions and enjoy the generational differences

Credits Works Cited 2010 NASFAA National Conference. PPT. Managing a Multigenerational Workforce. PPT. "Meet The Multigenerational Workforce." ValueOptions®, a Leading National Managed Care Company, Specializes in Management for All Behavioral Health Issues. Web. 08 Sept Thielfoldt, Diane, and Devon Scheef. "Generation X and The Millennials: What You Need to Know About Mentoring the New Generations." American Bar Association - Defending Liberty, Pursuing Justice. Aug Web. 01 Sept