four generations
in the workplace
... or
top 10 signs of
multi-generational issues
This presentation reflects my personal opinion Sacha Chua
and not the official opinion of my employer. sachac@ca.ibm.com
© 2009 IBM

four generations
in the workplace
Matures The Great Depression, WW II
~ 64 and older, < 1945
Baby Boomers Civil rights, Woodstock, Beatles
45 – 64 years old, 1945-1964
Generation X The Gulf War, Atari & Nintendo
27 – 45 years old, 1964-1980
Generation Y 9/11, the Internet
~ 28 and younger, 1980-2000

1
“I don't have any
multi-generational issues.”
a) You're a great manager. Teach others.
b) The issues are there, you just can't see them.
c) You don't have any issues... yet.

2
“When she retires,
our team will be in big trouble!”
Asset repositories are not the answer.
Mentorship is better, but it takes time.
Don't burn your bridges.

3
“No thanks to the stock market,
I'll be working for a long time!”
“Retirement” is changing.
Build opportunities for engagement and growth.
Watch out for frustration.

4 “He's so set in his ways.”
Understand why people resist change.
Acknowledge different motivations and needs.
Watch out for age bias.

5
“60-hour weeks
never killed anyone.”
Life needs and work expectations change.
Some people live to work. Others work to live.
Look for a healthy balance.

6 “Where am I going to find
the time to do everything?”
Check your assumptions.
Delegate tasks and develop people.
Learn from people across generations.

7 “Working at home?
I bet he's sleeping.”
Watch out for presenteeism.
Focus on results.
Reach out and connect.

8 “Why can't I hire, engage, and
keep anyone under 30?”
Reach out and connect.
Show people how they help make a difference.
2 – 3 years is long-term.

9 “Stop surfing and start working!”
Understand the need for connection.
Find out what engages people.
Focus on results.

10. “Why does she want
to use blogs, wikis,
and all that stuff?”
Mentoring works both ways.
Try out new ways of working, and adopt the best.
Watch out for anxiety and frustration.

1. I don't have any multi-generational issues.
2. When she retires, our team will be in big trouble!
3. No thanks to the stock market, I'll be working for a long time!
4. He's so set in his ways.
5. 60-hour weeks never killed anyone.
6. Where am I going to find the time to do everything?
7. Working at home? I bet he's sleeping.
8. Why can't I hire, engage, and keep anyone under 30?
9. Stop surfing and start working!
10. Why does she want to use blogs, wikis, and all that stuff?
http://passitalong.tap.ibm.com/topic/show/155
sachac@ca.ibm.com

Slides and discussion:
Four Generations in the Workplace :
Top 10 Signs of Multigenerational Issues
http://slideshare.net/sachac/four-generations-in-the-workplace
Other resources:
Generation Blend
Rob Salkowitz, 2008
When Generations Collide
Lynne C. Lancaster and David Stillman, 2002
Generations at Work
Ron Zemke, Claire Raines and Bob Filipczak, 2000
sachac@ca.ibm.com