1. Managing Four Generations in the Workplace
By: Melissa Hawkins, Brenda Mummert, and Colleen Nestruck

2. Objectives What is a ”Generation” The Four Generations Characteristics1
What is a ”Generation” 2
The Four Generations 3
Characteristics 4
Workplace Characteristics 5
Managing Multiple Generations 6
What’s to come 7
Question

3. What is a “Generation”?
“group of contemporaries: all of the people who were born at approximately the same time, considered as a group, and especially when considered as having shared interests and attitudes”.
(English Dictionary, 2011 )

4. The “4” Generations 1922-1945 Veterans, Traditionalists, Silent
Baby Boomers
Generation “X”
Generation “Y” Millennial

5. Characteristics Respect for authority Conformers Disciplined Patriotic
Veterans, Traditionalist, Silent ( )
Respect for authority
Conformers
Disciplined
Patriotic
Conservative

6. Characteristics - (continued)
Veterans, Traditionalist, Silent
Nuclear Family
Education was a dream
Rotary Phones
Put cash away for later
Paid in cash

7. Positive about the future Involvement Rebels Hippies
Characteristics
Baby Boomers ( )
Positive about the future
Involvement
Rebels
Hippies
Believed nothing was impossible

8. Characteristics - (continued)
Baby Boomers
Education was a birthright
Touch tone phones
Buy now, pay later

9. Asks the question “why” Fun Relaxed and casual Latch-key-kids
Characteristics
Generation X ( )
Skeptical
Asks the question “why”
Fun
Relaxed and casual
Latch-key-kids
Education-a way to get there

10. Characteristics - continued
Generation X
Cell Phones
Cautious with money
Save, save, save
Looks toward the future

11. Practical understanding of life Confident Likes to have fun Social
Characteristics
Generation Y ( )
Practical understanding of life
Confident
Likes to have fun
Social
Merged families

12. Characteristics - continued
Generation Y “Millennial”
Education is expensive
Internet
Picture Phones
Earn money to spend money

13. Workplace Characteristics
Veterans
Hard working
“Just git’er done”
Punctual & never miss work
Respect Authority
Obey Rules
Work before fun

14. Workplace Characteristics
Baby Boomers
Workaholics
“Work-til-you-drop”
Personal fulfillment
Desire quality
Sacrifice personal life to achieve professional goals
Work for 1 employer all their lives

15. Want structure and direction Skeptical
Work Characteristics
Generation X
Eliminate tasks
Self-reliant
Want structure and direction
Skeptical
Opt for quality of life instead of careers
Want to know “why”
See work as a challenge/contract

16. Sticks firm to a decision Goal oriented Tolerant
Work Characteristics
Generation Y
What’s next
Multitasking
Sticks firm to a decision
Goal oriented
Tolerant
See work as a means to an end

17. Managing Multiple Generations
The Effect on the Workplace
He wants feedback, what the heck is that?
Get a life!
They have no
work ethic
It’s 5:00, I’m
out of here!
You’re right, but I’m the boss!
Just do your job!
I remember when…
No!
The kid wants a promotion after six months on the job!

18. Managing Multiple Generations
The Effect on the Workplace
Recruiting
Building Teams
Dealing with Change
Motivating
Managing
Maintaining and Increasing Productivity
Communication

19. Managing Multiple Generations
Interactive Style
Veterans—Individual, one on one
Baby Boomers—Loves meetings
Generation X—Initiates communication
Generation Y—Participative

20. Managing Multiple Generations
Communication Style
Veterans—Formal or memo’s
Baby Boomers—In person
Generation X—Direct or immediate
Generation Y— and voice mail

21. Managing Multiple Generations
Feedback and Rewards
Veterans
No news is good news
Satisfaction is a job well done
Baby Boomers
Don’t appreciate it
Wants money and Title Recognition

22. Managing Multiple Generations
Feedback and Rewards (continued)
Generation X
Constantly wants to know “how am I doing”?
Freedom is the best reward
Generation Y
Gives feedback how ever they want
Wants feedback at the push of a button
Rewards come with meaningful work

23. Managing Multiple Generations
Messages that Motivate
Veterans—need to hear that their experiences are respected!
Baby Boomers—need to hear you are valued and needed!
Generation X—wants to hear “do it your way”, “forget the rules”!
Generation Y—needs to hear that they are bright and will work with others like them!

24. What’s to come 5-Generations in the workplace Know as Generation 9/11
Grown up with war
See things through a lens due to
9/11
View the world with less optimism

25. Your Logo