Learning Objectives by Gary Batis How diversity can add value and benefit to the workplace by providing commitment to serve a diverse community. Learn that different age groups bring with them different styles, perspectives, and life experiences. Diversity – “the condition of being, diverse, “variety” (Webster’s Dictionary).

Steps to Diversity Thinking Awareness of Self Awareness of Others Acceptance Appreciation of Differences Constructively Using the Differences

The Veterans: born between 1922 and The Baby Boomers: born between 1943 and The Generation Xers: born between 1960 and The Generation Nexters: born between 1980 and Generational Differences in the Workplace

The Veterans ( ) Defining Events and Trends: Heros: Music of Their Early Years: Swing and Big Band Great Depression  WWII  The New Deal  Korean War  Rise of Labor Unions  Polio Vaccine  Golden Age of Radio  The Silver Screen FDR  Babe Ruth  Audie Murphy  Winston Churchill  Eisenhower Benny Goodman  Duke Ellington  Glenn Miller  Tommy Dorsey  Kate Smith  Bing Crosby  Ella Fitzgerald  Frank Sinatra Memorabilia: Kewpie Dolls  Mickey Mouse  The Lone Ranger  Flash Gordon

The Veteran Generational Personality They like consistency and uniformity They like things on a grand scale They are conformers They believe in logic, not magic They are disciplined They are past-oriented They believe in law and order Their spending style is conservative

The Baby Boomers ( ) Defining Events and Trends: Heros: Music of Their Early Years: Rock ‘n Roll Vietnam War  Civil Rights Movement  Cold War  Women’s Liberation  The Space Race  Television  Suburbia  Assassinations Gandhi  Martin Luther King  JFK and Jackie  John Glenn Elvis  The Beatles  Rolling Stones  Grateful Dead  Beach Boys  Jimi Hendrix  Bob Dylan  The Supremes  The Temptations Memorabilia: The Ed Sullivan Show  Poodle Skirts and Pop Beads  Laugh-In  Slinkies  TV Dinners  Hula Hoops

The Boomer Generational Personality They believe in growth and expansion They think of themselves as stars of the show They tend to be optimistic They learned about teamwork at school and home They have pursued personal gratification They have searched their souls – repeatedly They have always been cool

The Xers ( ) Defining Events and Trends: Heros: Music of Their Early Years: Disco, Rap & Reggae Watergate  AIDS  MTV  Latchkey Kids  Computers  Fall of Berlin Wall  Glastnost/Perestroika  Challenger Disaster (None) Elton John  Bruce Springstein  Tina Turner  Bon Jovi  Michael Jackson  U2  Prince Memorabilia: The Brady Bunch  Pet Rocks  ET  Cabbage Patch Dolls  Platform Shoes  Star Wars

The Generation X Generational Personality They are self-reliant They are seeking a sense of family They want balance They like informality Their approach to authority is casual They are skeptical They are attracted to the edge They are technologically savvy

The Nexters/Generation Y ( ) Defining Events and Trends: Heros: Music of Their Early Years Alternative Rap, SKA & Remix Oklahoma City Bombing  McGwire and Sosa  It Takes a Village  Schoolyard Violence  Girls Movement Michael Jordan  Princess Diana  Mia Hamm  Bill Gates  Tiger Woods Jewel  Puff Daddy  Alanis Morrisette  Toni Braxton  Savage Garden  Garth Brooks  Backstreet Boys  Spice Girls Memorabilia: Barney  Beanie Babies  The X Games  Pogs  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles  Virtual Pets

The Nexter/Generation Y Generational Personality Optimism Civic Duty Confidence Achievement Sociability Morality Street Smarts Diversity Generation Y is still in process of developing a Generational Personality, but so far seems to hold the following Core Values upon which the personality will be based:

Diversity Standards (Do not mean a lack of standards) Every one in the organization has the right to establish certain behavioral standards. Behavioral standards must be tied to the community and organization’s objectives.

Tips on Dealing with Diversity Actions Avoid stereotyping Improve communication Understand group interaction Manage culture clash Find common ground