Four Generations and What to Do About Them Kelli D. Peck Parrott, Ph.D. Director and Associate Clinical Professor, Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education Texas A&M University

Theory to practice… What were the national events you remember as you were growing up? What were the national events you remember as you were growing up?

Generations: The History of America’s Future, (Strauss & Howe, 1991) Generations : Length is approx. the phase of birth to adulthood, 22 years. Length is approx. the phase of birth to adulthood, 22 years. Boundaries are fixed by peer personality Boundaries are fixed by peer personality Four primary types of generations: Idealist, Reactive, Civic, and Adaptive Four primary types of generations: Idealist, Reactive, Civic, and Adaptive

Two Important Social Moments Secular Crisis Secular Crisis Focus on reordering the world of institutions and public behavior Spiritual Awakening Spiritual Awakening Focus on changing the inner world of values and private behavior

Types of Generations Idealist -increasingly indulged youths after a secular crisis Idealist -increasingly indulged youths after a secular crisis Reactive - grow up under-protected and criticized youths during a spiritual awakening Reactive - grow up under-protected and criticized youths during a spiritual awakening Civic -Increasingly protected as children after a spiritual awakening Civic -Increasingly protected as children after a spiritual awakening Adaptive -Overprotected and suffocated youths during a secular crisis Adaptive -Overprotected and suffocated youths during a secular crisis

Generations… Lost Generation Reactive GI Generation Civic Silent Adaptive Boom Idealist 13 th / Gen X Reactive Millennial Civic Homeland ?Adaptive

Our Upper Level Administrators & Co-workers – Silents or Traditionalists ( ) Spent their youth in the great depression and WWII Spent their youth in the great depression and WWII The “in-between” generation The “in-between” generation No US president (If Mr. McCain had won, he would have been the first) No US president (If Mr. McCain had won, he would have been the first) Very protective parents, who were sacrificing for them Very protective parents, who were sacrificing for them

Our Upper Level Administrators & Co-workers – Silents or Traditionalists ( ) After all their parents sacrificed and went through and having experienced the Depression, they still feel somewhat lucky to have jobs. After all their parents sacrificed and went through and having experienced the Depression, they still feel somewhat lucky to have jobs. Have seen so much change so quickly in the workplace. Have seen so much change so quickly in the workplace.

Our coworkers & supervisors… Boomers ( ) Looking for spiritualism, flocked to drugs and religion; most active era of church formation in the 20 th century Looking for spiritualism, flocked to drugs and religion; most active era of church formation in the 20 th century Redefined Gender roles – gender was their issue Redefined Gender roles – gender was their issue “A generation that when young trusted nobody over 30 today trusts nobody under 30.” “A generation that when young trusted nobody over 30 today trusts nobody under 30.” Issues – remember when…; seen a great deal of change, especially in the workplace; raised with the work ethic of parents who survived the depression and WWII. Issues – remember when…; seen a great deal of change, especially in the workplace; raised with the work ethic of parents who survived the depression and WWII.

Our coworkers & supervisors… Boomers ( ) Work is a dominant force in their lives; they often sacrifice far too much for the good of the employer. Work is a dominant force in their lives; they often sacrifice far too much for the good of the employer. One Benchmarks leadership study was full of largely Boomer execs lamenting over sacrificing time with family, spouses, and personal interests for the sake of work (Downing, 2006). One Benchmarks leadership study was full of largely Boomer execs lamenting over sacrificing time with family, spouses, and personal interests for the sake of work (Downing, 2006). Downing, K. (July/August 2006). Next generation: What leaders need to know about Millennials. Leadership in Action, 26, 3.

Our coworkers and mid-managers… Xers ( ) True children of the 1960s and 1970s True children of the 1960s and 1970s Awakening period to their parents for them was a nightmare of self- immersed parents, disintegrating homes, AIDS, and a “Me” economy Awakening period to their parents for them was a nightmare of self- immersed parents, disintegrating homes, AIDS, and a “Me” economy Find a world of more punishing consequences than anything the Silent or Boom generations ever knew Find a world of more punishing consequences than anything the Silent or Boom generations ever knew Knew that where the Boomer children had been worth the parental sacrifice of prolonging an unhappy marriage, they were not Knew that where the Boomer children had been worth the parental sacrifice of prolonging an unhappy marriage, they were not

Our coworkers and mid-managers… …Xers ( ) Not shielded, so adult life held no secrets…believe they need to keep their eyes open, expect the worst and handle it on their own Not shielded, so adult life held no secrets…believe they need to keep their eyes open, expect the worst and handle it on their own Two-thirds have found they have to work harder than other generations to enjoy the same standard of living Two-thirds have found they have to work harder than other generations to enjoy the same standard of living Try to call as little attention to themselves as possible, really have not come together as a generation. You can find anything in this group. Try to call as little attention to themselves as possible, really have not come together as a generation. You can find anything in this group. FEAR FEAR Race was their issue Race was their issue

Millennials – The Next Great Generation (Howe & Strauss, 2000) Young Americans born 1982 or after Young Americans born 1982 or after Most numerous, affluent, and ethnically diverse generation in American history Most numerous, affluent, and ethnically diverse generation in American history Largely the children of Boomers, pre-teens are the children of Xers. Largely the children of Boomers, pre-teens are the children of Xers.

Millennials…our colleagues??? Conventional – turning back toward traditionalism, but with a modern twist – very rules oriented and highly moral Conventional – turning back toward traditionalism, but with a modern twist – very rules oriented and highly moral Confident – very optimistic about people and themselves Confident – very optimistic about people and themselves Special – have been perceived as special since birth Special – have been perceived as special since birth

Millennials…our colleagues??? Sheltered – sheltered and protected in ways that prior generations have not Sheltered – sheltered and protected in ways that prior generations have not Pressured – feel more stress than any other generation has Pressured – feel more stress than any other generation has Achieving – group is perceived as achieving so individuals feel pressure to keep up Achieving – group is perceived as achieving so individuals feel pressure to keep up Team Oriented – oriented toward teams rather than individuals Team Oriented – oriented toward teams rather than individuals

Millennials…our colleagues? Very close to their parents. You are not just getting an employee, but parents too. Very close to their parents. You are not just getting an employee, but parents too. Helicopter parents Helicopter parents Family oriented – 71.3% considered raising a family to be an “essential or very important objective” Family oriented – 71.3% considered raising a family to be an “essential or very important objective” These parents provide a great deal of support, but also intrusion and annoyance as well. These parents provide a great deal of support, but also intrusion and annoyance as well. ACE & UCLA Higher Education Research Institute, The American freshman: National norms for Fall 1999.

Millennials… “Candidates are stalling on job offers to consult with their parents. Parents are calling hiring managers to protest pay packages and trying to renegotiate.” “Candidates are stalling on job offers to consult with their parents. Parents are calling hiring managers to protest pay packages and trying to renegotiate.” Numbers of companies are involving parents in the recruiting process with welcome packets and including them on informational sessions, but not beyond. Numbers of companies are involving parents in the recruiting process with welcome packets and including them on informational sessions, but not beyond. Downing, K. (July/August 2006). Next generation: What leaders need to know about Millennials. Leadership in Action, 26, 3.

Millennials…our colleagues? Very technologically savvy, though there are socio-economic differences. Very technologically savvy, though there are socio-economic differences. Often form initial opinions of organizations based on their websites. Often form initial opinions of organizations based on their websites. Downing, K. (July/August 2006). Next generation: What leaders need to know about Millennials. Leadership in Action, 26, 3.

Our work and workplaces… By 2010 will see an exodus of Boomers – 2 leaving for every one new hire (Gerdes, 2006) By 2010 will see an exodus of Boomers – 2 leaving for every one new hire (Gerdes, 2006) 85 million Baby Boomers, 51 million Xers, 75 million Millennials 85 million Baby Boomers, 51 million Xers, 75 million Millennials Theilfoldt, D. & Schief, D. (August 2004). Generation X and the Millennials: What you need to know about mentoring the new generations. Law Practice Today.

Issues and areas of conflict… Issue: Silents and Boomers have sacrificed all for the company/organization, Millennials appear to have no loyalty to the organization. Issue: Silents and Boomers have sacrificed all for the company/organization, Millennials appear to have no loyalty to the organization. Common Ground: This is not new. Xers were not loyal either. Millennials and Xers seem to form more loyalty to the project, their co-workers, and perhaps the values of the company. Are looking for companies that value social responsibility, diversity, and the environment. Common Ground: This is not new. Xers were not loyal either. Millennials and Xers seem to form more loyalty to the project, their co-workers, and perhaps the values of the company. Are looking for companies that value social responsibility, diversity, and the environment. Gerdes, L. (September, 2006). The best places to launch a career. Business Week, 4001.

Issues and Areas of Conflict Issue – The generations share a similar language with totally different meanings. Ex. Broken record technique, OMG, BFF Common ground – Find means for keeping up, Facebook, MySpace, blogs

Issues and areas of conflict… Issue: Silents and Boomers feel devalued, as if their experience and contributions are no longer important. Millennials are not willing to pay their dues. Common Ground: Millennials are impatient to make an impact, but they are eager for feedback. While they want to be respected, they are also looking for leadership. Several orgs are giving new employees senior level mentors. Gerdes, L. (September, 2006). The best places to launch a career. Business Week, 4001.

Issues and areas of conflict… Issue: Silents, Boomers, and especially Xers are highly independent. The Millennials’ involvement of parents and need to work on teams is seen as childish. “They just need to grow up!” Common Ground: The biggest complaint about Xers was their inability to work with others. Millennials do this well and can teach us all. The truth is teams do accomplish more than individuals.

Issues and Areas of Conflict Issue: Authority – Silents respect it, Boomers have a love-hate relationship with it, but now are the authority. Xers are unimpressed with it and Millennials do not see the need for it. Common Ground: They are used to instant answers and the internet, the great equalizer. They will seek out the most knowledgeable and influential person regardless of rank. Training and information are key. Robinette, K. (July 24, 2009). Millennials in the workplace challenge managers. Daily Journal of Commerce.

Tips for working with Millennials… 1.State desired outcomes clearly and specifically, then get out of the way. Allow freedom to do it how, where, and when they prefer if possible, but with clear quality/volume expectations and timelines. Time is a 24/7 resource. Tell them when it’s due, not when to do it. 2.Put it in writing – they are rules oriented. Heathfield, S. (n.d.). Managing the Millennials: 11 tips for managing the Millennials. Retrieved November 1, Shepard, S. (2004). Managing the Millennials. Retrieved April 28,

Tips for working with Millennials… 3.Have the work be meaningful – help them see meaning and impact – KEY 4.Provide continuous feedback, but be as positive as possible – Oreo or sandwich method 5.Experiential learning is preferred; use different learning techniques, multimedia, activities, etc. Phillips, C. (February, 2008). Get the best out of Millennials by tweaking habits. Advertising Age, 79, 6.

Tips for working with Millennials 6. Be prepared to train them about EVERYTHING – assume nothing about behavioral norms 7. Cross-train – keeps them engaged, challenged, and helps them to form attachments to the work and colleagues (train them to get a job somewhere else) 8. Provide work-life balance – important to them and all of us. Heathfield, S. (n.d.). Managing the Millennials: 11 tips for managing the Millennials. Retrieved November 1,

Tips for working with Millennials 9. Provide leadership and guidance – they want to look up at you, be connected, and learn – mentor and coach. 10. Play to their strengths, let their creativity, technological skills, and brainpower loose and they will do amazing things. 11. Remember we were all young too…they are in the process of becoming.

The Most Important Tip for working with Millennials People are like onions, they have lots of layers. Generation is only one layer and this information may or may not apply. There is criticism of these generational images. Treat everyone as the INDIVIDUAL they are.

Generational Views “Children nowadays are tyrants, they contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers.” attributed to Socrates

Questions? Comments? Thank you!

References ACE & UCLA Higher Education Research Institute, The American freshman: National norms for Fall Downing, K. (July/August 2006). Next generation: What leaders need to know about Millennials. Leadership in Action, 26, 3. Gerdes, L. (September, 2006). The best places to launch a career. Business Week, Hallon, J. (March, 2008). Millennials at the gate. Workforce Management, 87, 4. Heathfield, S. (n.d.). Managing the Millennials: 11 tips for managing the Millennials. Retrieved November 1, Howe, N. & Strauss, W. (2000). Millennials rising: The next great generation. New York: Vintage Books. Phillips, C. (February, 2008). Get the best out of Millennials by tweaking habits. Advertising Age, 79, 6. Robinette, K. (July 24, 2009). Millennials in the workplace challenge managers. Daily Journal of Commerce. Shepard, S. (2004). Managing the Millennials. Retrieved April 28, Generations: The history of America’s future, Strauss, W., & Howe, N. (1991). Generations: The history of America’s future, New York: Morrow. Theilfoldt, D. & Schief, D. (August 2004). Generation X and the Millennials: What you need to know about mentoring the new generations. Law Practice Today.