1. Generational Identity in the Workplace
Notes:
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November 25, 2008
Dr. Judy Laws
Graybridge Malkam

2. Agenda What are Generations and Why do they Matter?
Generations in Today’s Workforce
Understanding the Four Generations

3. Generation
A group of people defined by age boundaries (those who were born during a certain era)
They share similar experiences growing up
Their values and attitudes tend to be similar

4. The Power of Four
This is the first time in North American history that we have had four different generations working side-by-side in the workplace.
Each generation has distinct attitudes, behaviors, expectations, habits, and motivational buttons.
These four generations often collide, as their paths cross.
They have different values, different ideas, different ways of getting things done, and different ways to communicating in the workplace.

5. Poll: What generation do you belong to? When were you born?
Veterans - born 1920 to 1945
- today 88 to 63 years old
Baby Boomers - born 1946 to 1964
- today 44 to 62 years old
Generation X - born 1965 to 1980
- today 28 to 43 years old
Generation Y - born 1981 to 1999
- today 9 to 27 years old

6. Demographic Reality Baby Boomer 1946 - 1964 Gen X 1965 - 1980 Gen Y
One reason this generation is significant is its sheer demographic muscle. The boomers were a huge generation, but many boomers delayed having children. This delay led to a bust in the birth rate from mid-1960s to the mid-1970s. The birth rate started picking up again in the late 1970s and a result we have youthful generation that more or less equals the boomers in terms of its size. In North America alone, we’re talking about 88 million young people.
Note the “pig and the python” that is entering the workforce… what kind of space will they want/ require?
Baby Boomer
Gen X
Gen Y
Veterans
1922 – 1945
< 10% of Workforce
Source: © New Paradigm Learning Corporation 2006

7. Disclaimer
Be careful not to categorize someone just based upon the year they were born – it’s more their behaviors and values that will identify them with a particular generation
Exact population numbers within each group will vary
Very few consistent sources on the exact years that encompass the Veteran, Boomer, Generation X, and Generation Y categories 7

9. 10 20 30 40 Generations Jeopardy Generation? What’s the Value? I am….
Heroes and Cartoons
Grab Bag 10 20 30 40

10. I didn’t have the opportunity to pursue post secondary education, so I worked my way up by gaining experience
Category
Who is a Veteran

11. My parents stayed together, mother stayed at home and my dad worked in an office, but I got divorced
Category
Who is a Baby Boomer

12. I expect post secondary education and expect to get a good job after
Who is a Gen Y

13. I grew up with a key around my neck
Who is a Gen X

14. A generation who values equality – they believe respect is earned, not given
Who are Gen Y

15. I value relationship and respect those with a “solid work ethic”.
Who are the Baby Boomers

16. I value self- reliance and development opportunities that foster my employability
Who are Gen X

17. A generation who values hierarchy – they believe their boss knows best
Who are the Veterans

18. Team Oriented
Who are Baby Boomers

19. Hopeful
Who are Gen Y

20. Skeptical
Who are Gen X

21. Pessimistic
Who are Veterans

22. Who is Gen Y

23. Who is a Baby Boomer

24. Who is Gen X

25. Who are Veterans

26. A group of people defined by age boundaries (those who were born during a certain era), they share similar experiences growing up, and their values and attitudes tend to be similar.
What is a Generation?

27. These two countries have 9. 5 times the number of Gen Y than the U. S
These two countries have 9.5 times the number of Gen Y than the U.S. and Canada Combined
India and China

28. What is the Military
Fight Fear
This organization has mastered tailoring its messages to recruit each generation.

29. All generations want these factors in their workplace
What are
Work-Life Balance
Interesting Work
A Good Salary
Benefits
Flexible Hours of Work

30. Group Exercise
What generation do you consider yourself to be a member of?
What do you like about your generation?
What do you wish other generations understood about your generation?
What challenges do you face at work that may have to do with your generation?

31. Consistent and Compelling Messages Driven into Gen Y
You are special
Leave no one behind
Connect 24/7
Achieve now
Serve your community
Consistent and compelling messages driven into this generation have been (Raines, 2002):
• You are special – this group has been catered to from the time they were born – Baby Gap, Nickelodeon, Time magazine for kids
• Leave no one behind – in a globalized society, they were raised to be tolerant of all races, religions, sexual orientations
• Connect 24/7 – the internet, cell phones, Personal Digital Assistants have always existed for this generation
• Achieve now – from elite pre-schools to private college-search agents, this generation has always had high goals and short time lines
• Serve your community – volunteerism is at an all-time high with this generation; a strong economy and encouragement from parents contributes to this

32. Building Bridges Learn how your team members wish to communicate
Maintain enthusiasm when dealing with challenges that arise from interaction with diverse co-workers
Avoid selecting roles based on age; rather, select roles based on a team member’s abilities.
Work towards equalizing each team member’s influence within the workplace by minimizing dominance by any one member or group.
Structure opportunities for sharing and self disclosure
Make opportunities for generations to learn from each other
Increase understanding about generational differences
Demonstrate flexibility for differing needs and preferences
Minimize your generational framework. It is only natural for people to look at the world
through their own set of values and experiences. Those who don’t fall into line with this
framework just don’t get it. In terms of intergenerational interactions, people judge others by
their own framework that has been heavily influenced by their generation’s formative events,
traits, and characteristics. In dealing with members of other generations, it is important to
minimize the use of glasses that tint how people and situations are judged.
Learn how team members wish to communicate. • A top-notch, cross-functional team with individuals from
several different generations has been set up to recommend
a solution to a nasty manufacturing problem. After a couple
of weeks, the manager responsible for the team cannot
understand why there is constant bickering and nothing is
getting done. If the manager were aware of just one
characteristic of each individual relating to communication
needs, he or she might understand the stalemate. The
Veterans on the team are looking for handwritten notes and
direct, specific requests for work to be done. The Boomers
do not like to work independently, and they expect to have
meetings any time, any place — and it is fine if they are
called day or night. Xers do not want to hear about the
project outside of work, and don’t dare call them at home.
And the Yers don’t want any meetings at all, they only
communicate via voice mail and . Is it any wonder
that the team is having trouble getting motivated toward the
goal? At the beginning of any team formation, an effective
leader should consider spending time learning how team
members wish to communicate.