1. Generations in the workplace
Teresa Buchman, Green River
Phil LeBlanc, University of Phoenix
WASFAA Conference May 2019
Special Thanks to Mary McGlothlan from MLI 2018
NOTE:
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2. Multiple Generations in the Workplace
Traditionalists (also called “The Silent Generation”): Born before 1945
Baby Boomers:
Gen X:
Millennials:
Gen Z:
“Cuspers”: the people born in the beginning or ending of a generation
What do you know about each of these groups?
Which generation do you belong to? Are you a cusper? Do you identify more with a different generation?
Birth order can influence which gen you identify with.
Poll the room to see which group everyone is in- Can have people move and sit together with their Generation.
We won’t spend much time on Traditionalists. We will spend most of our time focusing on Baby Boomers, Gen X and Millennials.

3. Multiple Generations in the Workplace
Traditionalists (also called “The Silent Generation”): Born before 1945
Events that defined this generation:
The Dust Bowl
Two World Wars
Prohibition
Atom Bombs
The Great Depression
The New Deal
Moving from farms to suburbs
Even though there aren’t as many Traditionalists left in the workplace, you can’t understand the next generation (baby boomers) without understanding the generation that trained them.

4. Multiple Generations in the Workplace
The Baby Boomers: Born
The biggest generation
Events that defined this generation:
Vietnam War
Woodstock
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
Civil Rights Movement
Television
Watergate
Their childhood was magical. Post-war economic boom. Cars. Freeways. Big middle class. Television, television, television. GI Bill helped pay for lots of things.

5. Multiple Generations in the Workplace
Generation X:
The smallest generation
Events that defined this generation:
AIDS
MTV
Challenger Explosion
Iran Hostage Crisis
Berlin Wall torn down
The Walkman
The Internet
Slackers. Cynicism. Sandwich generation.

6. Multiple Generations in the Workplace
Millennials:
Events that defined this generation:
Oklahoma City bombing
Columbine
September 11
Video games
Y2K
Google
Social media
Immediate access to all the things. Bad rep because they’re optimistic and determined. Mission statement and OMG PURPOSE.

7. Multiple Generations in the Workplace
Gen Z:
Events that defined this generation:
First African-American President
Marriage Equality
Sandy Hook
ISIS
Technology
Technology, social media. Our students!

8. Multiple Generations in the Workplace
In order to make changes, you have to understand the generation context each person comes to the conversation with. Here are the primary conflicts around generation sticking points:
Communication
Decision Making
Dress Code
Feedback
Fun at work
Knowledge Transfer
Loyalty
Meetings
Policies
Respect
Training
Work ethic
Dress Code
Communication- Boomers want to talk face to face or on the phone. Xers want to , millennials want to chat/text.
What is considered professional communication vs. casual communication- use of emoticons  ?
What is considered professional, or professional enough? Who decides if something was appropriate or professional enough?

9. Multiple Generations in the Workplace
Four approaches to the conflicting generation:
Ignore them.
Fix them.
Cut a deal with them.
Lead them.
Tension is inevitable but you can lead through conflict rather than trying to manage it.
Five steps for leading through the change:
Acknowledge
Appreciate
Flex
Leverage
Resolve
Every generation’s pendulum swings away from the last.
As a leader, you have to be the first to embrace new ideas and try new things. If you don’t, they won’t.
Example: Gen X is cynical. Staff meeting re: FAFSA reminders. ME: LITERALLY NOTHING WILL WORK. My Millennial FAC: What do you think about a custom Snapchat filter.

10. Multiple Generations in the Workplace
Share Your Experiences with the Group
What Questions do you have?
Reference: Sticking Points by Haydn Shaw