And how it applies to you Presented By: Emily Embry Oconee County Public Library

Inter-generational communication "at no time in our history have so many and such different generations with such diversity been asked to work together, shoulder to shoulder, side by side, cubicle to cubicle." (Zemke, Raines,and Filipczak, 2013) Traditionalists (before 1943) The Babyboomers ( ) Generation X (1960 – 1980) Millenials (1980 – 1995) Linksters (1995 – present)

Inter-generational communication Disclaimer The research listed is based on describing a "cohort of people" which may mean that some of the generational characteristics may or may not apply to you or your coworkers from different generations. Traditionalists (before 1943) The Babyboomers ( ) Generation X (1960 – 1980) Millenials (1980 – 1995) Linksters (1995 – present)

Similarities and Differences in each cohort Four Areas that describe the characteristics of each generational cohort. Core Values Personality Assets/Liabilities Leadership/Team Member qualities

Core Values Dedication Sacrifice Hard work Conformity Law & Order Respect Patience Delayed gratification Duty & Honor

Core Values Dedication Sacrifice Hard work Conformity Law & Order Respect Patience Delayed gratification Duty & Honor Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960) Optimism Team oriented Personal gratification Health & wellness Personal growth Youth Work Involvement

Core Values Dedication Sacrifice Hard work Conformity Law & Order Respect Patience Delayed gratification Duty & Honor Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960) Optimism Team oriented Personal gratification Health & wellness Personal growth Youth Work Involvement Generation X (1960 – 1980) Diversity Thinking globally Balance Techno-literacy Fun Informality Self-reliance Pragmatism

Core Values Dedication Sacrifice Hard work Conformity Law & Order Respect Patience Delayed gratification Duty & Honor Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960) Optimism Team oriented Personal gratification Health & wellness Personal growth Youth Work Involvement Generation X (1960 – 1980) Diversity Thinking globally Balance Techno-literacy Fun Informality Self-reliance Pragmatism Millenials (1980 – 1995) Optimism Civic Duty Confidence Achievement Sociability Diversity

Personality Like consistency and uniformity Like things on a grand scale Believe in logic, not magic They are disciplined Past oriented and history absorbed Spending style is conservative

Personality Like consistency and uniformity Like things on a grand scale Believe in logic, not magic They are disciplined Past oriented and history absorbed Spending style is conservative Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960) Believe in growth and expansion Tend towards optimism Know all about teamwork Have always been the cool kids Pursued personal gratification, often at a high price They have searched their souls repeatedly, obsessively, recreationally

Personality Like consistency and uniformity Like things on a grand scale Believe in logic, not magic They are disciplined Past oriented and history absorbed Spending style is conservative Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960) Believe in growth and expansion Tend towards optimism Know all about teamwork Have always been the cool kids Pursued personal gratification, often at a high price They have searched their souls repeatedly, obsessively, recreationally Generation X (1960 – 1980) Self reliant They want balance The have a non-traditional orientation about time and space Their approach to authority is casual They are cynical Continue to be tech savvy Attracted to the edge

Personality Like consistency and uniformity Like things on a grand scale Believe in logic, not magic They are disciplined Past oriented and history absorbed Spending style is conservative Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960) Believe in growth and expansion Tend towards optimism Know all about teamwork Have always been the cool kids Pursued personal gratification, often at a high price They have searched their souls repeatedly, obsessively, recreationally Generation X (1960 – 1980) Self reliant They want balance The have a non-traditional orientation about time and space Their approach to authority is casual They are cynical Continue to be tech savvy Attracted to the edge Millenials (1980 – 1995) Resiliently optimistic Digital natives Collaborative Goal and Achievement Oriented Diverse Confident

Assets Traditionalists Stable, Loyal, and Hardworking Baby Boomers Driven, want to please, and willing to “go the extra mile” Generation X Adaptability, Creative, and Independent Millenials Tenacious, Multi-tasking capabilities, Tech Savvy

Liabilities Traditionalists Inept with change Uncomfortable with conflict Reticent to disagree Baby Boomers May put process ahead of result Defensive in face of feedback Judgmental of differing opinions Generation X Impatient Distrustful of Authority Inept at office Politics Millenials Need for Supervision and Structure Demand for constant feedback Helicopter parents

Leadership Team Members Traditionalists Command Control Baby Boomers Personal Approach Informal Political Generation X Pragmatic Realistic Millenials They want it their way They know they are not ready Believe in Transparency Traditionalists Need a strong leader to tell them exactly what, when, and how Baby Boomers Feel the need to prove themselves Don’t suffer fools but may not confront them either Generation X Prefer working alone or on virtual teams Demand high productivity and quick completion of tasks to free up more personal time “work hard, play hard” Millenials Need for Supervision and Structure Demand for constant feedback Helicopter parents

Linksters (1995 – present) True Digital natives Love texting limited face to face communication Challenges: work part-time Love flex schedules staying connected need clear direction

What does all this have to do with Communication? Challenges: Differences in Core Values Negative perceptions Inhibited collaboration due to lack of understanding among the different generations.

Solutions Over Communication Raise your Social I.Q. (Soft Skills) Being aware of differences Find opportunities to get to know your co-workers from different generations Boundaries – “good fences make good neighbors”

Questions to ask ourselves? Am I communicating with my staff/fellow co- workers enough? Am I communicating in a professional manor? How is my Social I.Q. ? Harvard Study:

Social IQ/Soft Skills Communication Enthusiasm & “I Can”Attitude Teamwork Networking Kare Anderson, Be an opportunity maker : n_opportunity_maker n_opportunity_maker Problem Solving & Critical Thinking Professionalism

Conclusion We as librarians work with and for multiple generations. It is important to remind ourselves of the golden rule when working with staff and patrons while maintaining a professional attitude.

Questions

References Bersin, J. (2013) Millennials Will Soon Rule The World: But How will they lead? Retrieved on 10/15/15 from soon-rule-the-world-but-how-will-they-lead/2/ Redstone Arsenal (2014) Resiliency Training Notes. Johnson, M. and Johnson, L. (2010) Generations, Inc.: From Boomers to Linksters - Managing the Friction Between Generations at Work. New York, NY: American Management Association. Post, P. and Post, P., (2005) Emily Post's The Etiquette advantage in Business. New York, NY: Harper Resource; 2nd Ed. Zemke, R. Raines, C., and Filipczak, B. (2013) Generation at Work: Managing the Clash of Boomers, GenXers, and GenYers in the work place. New York, NY: American Managment Association. Thank you!