Geri & Rebecca boyer Kaskaskia Engineering group, LLC Leading a Multi-Generational Workforce: Understanding Generational Differences Geri & Rebecca boyer Kaskaskia Engineering group, LLC

Outline Introduction Disclaimer Plan

Generational Overview   Silents Baby Boomers Generation X Millennials Birth Years 1900-1945 1946-1964 1965-1980 1981-2000 Current Age 70+ 51-69 35-50 15-34 % of Current Workforce  2% 29% 34% 35% Also Known As Veterans, Traditionalists, Radio Babies, The Forgotten Generation “Me” Generation, Moral Authority Xers, The Doer, Post Boomers, America’s Neglected Middle Child Gen Y, Generation Next, Echo Boomers, Chief Friendship Officers, 24/7’s

Historical Context Silents Baby Boomers Generation X Millennials   Millennials World War II Great Depression New Deal Rise of Corporations Experienced hard times while growing up which were followed by times of prosperity Civil Rights & Feminist Cause Cold War/Russia Construction of the highway system Highest divorce rate and 2nd marriages in history Post War Babies who grew up to be radicals of the 70’s and yuppies of the 80’s “The American Dream” was promised to them as children and they pursue it Watergate Energy Crisis Raised by dual income families and single parents First generation of latchkey kids Downsizing Grew up having to take care of themselves early Came of age when US was losing its status as the most powerful nation in the world The first generation that will NOT do as well financially as their parents Helicopter parents Digital Media Child-focused world First generation of children with schedules School shootings & terrorist attacks Hope to be the next great generation & to turn around all the “wrong” they see in the world More sheltered than any other generation Came of age in a period of economic expansion

Generational Persona Silents Dedicated, steadfast employees Fiscally prudent Linear work style Loyal to organization/employers (duty, honor, country) Organized Respectful of Authority Rule Followers Sacrifice Strong work ethic Task oriented Trusted hierarchy and authority

Generational Persona Baby Boomers Live to work Consumerism Multi-taskers Loyal to careers and employers Good communication skills Anti-establishment Consensus leadership Believe in teamwork and cooperation Find worth in their work ethic Optimistic Political correctness

Generational Persona Generation X Work to live Angry but don’t know why Results driven Loyal to Manager Crave independence Unimpressed with authority Distrust large organizations Pragmatic Self-starters Skeptical of institutions Willing to put in the extra time to get a job done Adaptable Built “portable” resume

Generational Persona Millennials Work to fill the time between the weekends Eager to spend money High-speed stimulus junkies Loyal to peers Fiercely independent but need supervision Respect given for competency not title/seniority Challenge everything as a standard way of approaching a situation Value diversity and change Tech Savvy Entitled

Discussion – Work Ethic What are ways to foster tolerance between these generational work styles? How do you quantify the contribution of each generation? Maximum Effort (Silents) Workaholic (Baby Boomers) Work/Life Balance (Gen X) Work/Life Blend (Millenials)

Discussion – Work Asset What type of benefits are needed to retain employees across the generations? What are the challenges of attracting new hires across the generations? Loyal Cooperative Self-Reliant Entitled

Discussion - Communication What changes have you made in your company to accommodate multi-generational communication styles? What counter-measure have you put in place to maintain professional communication? Discrete Like hand written notes Diplomatic In person Blunt/Direct Use E-mail Polite All Electronic communication

Discussion – Feedback and Rewards How is feedback and rewards given in your firm? Is it satisfying for everyone? Private recognition Feel rewarded by money Want to be rewarded with time off Like to be given feedback often and will ask for it

What other aspects of running an intergenerational office do you struggle with and how can it be accommodated? Silents Baby Boomers Generation X   Millennials Dedicated, steadfast employees Fiscally prudent Linear work style Loyal to organization/employers (duty, honor, country) Organized Respectful of Authority Rule Followers Sacrifice Strong work ethic Task oriented Trust hierarchy and authority Live to work Consumerism Multi-taskers Loyal to careers and employers Good communication skills Anti-establishment Consensus leadership Believe in teamwork and cooperation Find worth in their work ethic Optimistic Political correctness Work to live Angry but don’t know why Results driven Loyal to Manager Crave independence Unimpressed with authority Distrust large organizations Pragmatic Self-starters Skeptical of institutions Willing to put in the extra time to get a job done Adaptable Built “portable” resume Work to fill the time between the weekends Eager to spend money High-speed stimulus junkies Loyal to peers Fiercely independent but need supervision Respect given for competency not title/seniority Challenge everything as a standard way of approaching a situation Value diversity and change Tech Savvy Entitled