Communicating Through Generational Workforces Ben Schepens, CMPE ‘94 1

Baby Boomers ( ) ( )Millennials( )Millennials( ) Generation X ( ) Generations 2 Traditionalists ( )

WWII Korean War Great Depression New Deal Rise of Corporations Space Age Raised by parents that just survived the Great Depression Experienced hard times growing up followed by times of prosperity WWII Korean War Great Depression New Deal Rise of Corporations Space Age Raised by parents that just survived the Great Depression Experienced hard times growing up followed by times of prosperity Traditionalists ( ) Baby Boomers ( ) Civil Rights Vietnam War Sexual Revolution Cold War with Russia Space Travel Highest divorce rate and 2nd marriages in history "The American Dream" promised to them - as they pursue it are seen as greedy Materialism and ambition Civil Rights Vietnam War Sexual Revolution Cold War with Russia Space Travel Highest divorce rate and 2nd marriages in history "The American Dream" promised to them - as they pursue it are seen as greedy Materialism and ambition Generations Influencers 3

Generation X ( ) Watergate Energy Crisis Dual Income families and single parents First Generation of Latchkey Kids End of Cold War Increase divorce rate Perceptions shaped by growing up having to take care of themselves early First generation that will NOT do as well financially as their parents Watergate Energy Crisis Dual Income families and single parents First Generation of Latchkey Kids End of Cold War Increase divorce rate Perceptions shaped by growing up having to take care of themselves early First generation that will NOT do as well financially as their parents Millennial ( ) Digital Media Child focused world School shootings 9/11 terrorist attacks Typically grew up as children of divorce Came of age in a period of economic expansion Kept busy as kids First generation of children with schedules Parents strived to protect them from evils of the world Digital Media Child focused world School shootings 9/11 terrorist attacks Typically grew up as children of divorce Came of age in a period of economic expansion Kept busy as kids First generation of children with schedules Parents strived to protect them from evils of the world Generations Influencers 4

5 How DO I reach others different from me?

Driving/Root Emotions Key Points Very personal - Can be challenging / sensitive to discuss openly Define “LENS” through which one views “Truth and Value” 6 Needs What I must have to be whole Fears What I avoid Passions What inspires me

Representative Emotions 7 Wants How I try to express a Driving Emotion Key Points MAY not satisfy if Driving Emotions not clearly understood

Viewpoints and Reality 8

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How to put in practice First understand Driving Emotions in YOURSELF Start with the roots of differences – not the symptoms Many approaches to learn about another’s personality ( Myers Briggs, Psychogeometrics, Personalysis ) Asking WHY to a WANT may help realize driving NEED Be clear on desired outcome – then match actions to Driving Emotions of audience Is about understanding/reaching another effectively – not being Right/Wrong Must be sincere in your actions to have true connection 12

What does all this mean for Teams and Leadership Development? Is vital for leader to have clarity of their own Driving Emotions Team success relies on successfully integrating diversity It is naturally easier to relate to others with similar Driving Emotions – lower effort for communication Important to avoid trap of only hiring people with similar Driving Emotions Recognize Driving Emotions vary with each individual Teach team to understand and appreciate each other's Driving Emotions 13

Listen to what people Want FOCUS on what they NEED 14

Questions / Comments 15

Alumni Network / Affinity Group Engagement Important to build a diverse leadership team – participation in GT Alumni Network and Affinity Group events can help join with diverse GT Alumni Breakout Instructions: – We will Breakout into leagues based on group size – Discuss examples of how this relates to your network/affinity group – Understanding these differences, what may you do differently? – Leadership Development How to build and sustain a diverse leadership team How can GTAA help to recruit, build and sustain a diverse leadership team – Network/Affinity Group Engagement/Participation How to engage a diverse group of alumni from your area How can GTAA help engage more alumni in your network and affinity group? 16

Communicating Through Generational Workforces Ben Schepens, CMPE ’94 17