2. Objective
To heighten awareness and understanding of
generalized differences among generations,
in order to:
Decrease misunderstandings and conflicts
Alleviate stress, frustration, and discomfort
Increase effective communication
3. What is a Generation?
A group of individuals defined by age
boundaries
Have similar experiences growing up
Values and attitudes tend to be similar
4. Generations in the Workplace
Must be able to work effectively with all
generations represented in the modern
workforce
Any successful organization will blend
multiple generations to accomplish their
mission.
5. Mind the Gap
The gap describes a vast difference in
cultural norms between various generations.
The gap occurs when older and younger
people do not understand each other
because of their different values, attitudes,
experiences, opinions, habits, behavior,
interests, and communication
styles.
6. Times Have Changed!
The once linear nature of power at work, from
older to younger, has been dislocated by
changes in health, wellness and life
expectancy, lifestyle, technology, and
knowledge base.
7. Generational Collisions
First time in American history that four
generations have worked side-by-side in the
workforce.
Each generation has distinct attitudes,
behaviors, expectations, habits, and
motivational buttons.
The four generations often collide due to
differing values, ideas, methods, and
communication styles.
8. The Modern Workforce
Generation Birth Age Workforce %
Traditionalist 1922 – 1945 88 - 65 5%
Baby Boomer 1946 – 1964 46 - 64 45%
Generation X 1965 – 1980 30 - 45 40%
Generation Y 1981 – 2000 14 - 29 10%
9. Influences
Things that happen when you’re 10 years old
tend to shape your outlook and the outlook of
your generation.
What significant world events happened
when you were 10?
10. Significant Events
1925: The first public demonstration of “radio
vision”, later known as television.
1928: Penicillin is discovered
1929: Wall Street crash and beginning of the
Great Depression
1931: Star Spangled Banner is adopted as
national anthem.
1941: Attack on Pearl Harbor. USA joins
World War 2. Women enter the workforce in
record numbers.
11. Significant Events (part 2)
1950: Korean War begins
1952: First effective polio vaccine created
1954: Supreme Court orders the end of racial
segregation in schools.
1958: Creation of the cassette tape
1959: Alaska and Hawaii join the USA
1959: Beginning of Vietnam War
1959: First documented AIDS case
12. Significant Events (part 3)
1961: Berlin wall is built
1963: MLK gives his “I have a dream” speech
1964: Civil Rights Act abolishes segregation
1969: Moon Landing
1969: Woodstock
1969: Creation of ARPANET, grandfather of
the Internet as we know it
1970: Maiden flight of the Boeing 747
13. Significant Events (page 4)
1970: Deaths of Jimi Hendrix and Janis
Joplin
1973: Roe v Wade is decided, giving women
the right to choose
1975: Vietnam War ends
1977: Personal computers introduced
1979: First space station is launched
1979: China implements “One Child” policy
14. Significant Events (page 5)
1980: Prince Charles begins courting Lady Di
1981: Prince Charles and Lady Di marry
1986: Space Shuttle Challenger explodes
1986: Chernobyl nuclear disaster
1989: Berlin wall falls
1989: Tiananmen Square massacre
1989: Exxon Valdez oil spill
1990: World Wide Web invented
15. Significant Events (page 6)
1990: Gulf War begins
1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union
1996: Dolly the Sheep is first cloned mammal
1998: Osama bin Laden issues fatwa against
the West
1998: Monica Lewinsky case emerges
2000: International space station begins
operations
17. Generational Influences/Characteristics
Veterans Boomers Gen X Gen Y
Core
Values
Respect
Authority
Conformers
Discipline
Optimism
Involvement
Skepticism
Fun
Informality
Realism
Confidence
Social
Extreme Fun
Family Traditional
Nuclear
Disintegrating Latch-Key
Kids
Merged
Families
Education A Dream A Birthright A Way to
Get There
Incredible
expense
18. Generational Influences/Characteristics
Veterans Boomers Gen X Gen Y
Communication
Media
Rotary
phones
One-on-one
Write a
memo
Touch-tone
phones
Call me
anytime
Cell phones
Call me only
at work
Internet
Picture
Phones
E-mail
Dealing with
Money
Put it away
Pay cash
Buy now,
pay later
Cautious
Conservative
Savers
Earn to
spend
19. Work Styles and Attitudes
Veterans Boomers Gen X Gen Y
Work
Ethic and
Values
Hard work
Respect
authority
Sacrifice
Duty before fun
Adhere to rules
Workaholics
Work efficiently
Crusading
causes
Personal
fulfillment
Desire quality
Question
authority
Eliminate the
task
Self-reliance
Want
structure and
direction
Skeptical
What’s next
Multitasking
Tenacity
Entrepreneurial
Tolerant
Goal oriented
Work and
Family
Life
Ne’er the twain
shall meet
No balance
Work to live
Balance Balance
20. Work Styles and Attitudes
Veterans Boomers Gen X Gen Y
Work is ... An obligation An exciting
adventure
A difficult
challenge
A contract
A means to
an end
Fulfillment
Leadership
style
Directive
Command-
and-control
Consensual
Collegial
Everyone is
the same
Challenge
others
Ask why
TBD
Interactive
style
Individual Team player
Loves meetings
Entrepreneur Participative
21. Work Styles and Attitudes
Veterans Boomers Gen X Gen Y
Communica
tions
Formal
Memo
In person Direct
Immediate
E-mail
Voice mail
Feedback
and
Rewards
No news is
good news
Satisfaction in
a job well
done
Don’t appreciate
it
Money
Title recognition
Sorry to
interrupt, but
how am I
doing?
Freedom is
the best
reward
Whenever I
want it, at the
push of a
button.
Meaningful
work.
Messages
that
motivate
Your
experience is
respected
You are valued
You are needed
Do it your
way
Forget the
rules
You will work
with other
bright,
creative
people
22. Questions for Thought/Discussion
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 do you admire most about each of the other
generations?
What challenges do you face in work or service
situations that may have to do with your generation?
23. Benefits of Multi-Generational Teams
Team is more flexible
Decisions are strong because they are more
broad-based
Team is more innovative
Team can better meet the needs of a diverse
work environment (or community)
24. Keys to Overcoming Differences
Understanding – The more we understand
others’ point of view and allow for differences,
the better we can communicate.
Acceptance – We should try to accept
someone for who they are, even if we don’t
agree with them.
Willingness – We have to be willing to keep
lines of communication open, even when we
disagree.
25. Organization of Choice
Requires a culture that recognizes and
appreciates a variety of perspectives, styles,
and opinions.
Differences in perspectives are sought out,
valued, respected, and put to use.
Leaders tap into the best productive and
creative assets of each person.
26. Value the Differences
Each of us has our own unique characteristics.
It is our differences though that make our lives
together interesting and rewarding. Everyone
has something to contribute. We all need to
remember to accept others for who they are
and look for the best they have to offer. We
also have to be willing to adapt to the styles
and characteristics of others. That is what
valuing differences is all about!
27. Additional Readings
Mixing and Managing Four Generations of Employees
http://www.fdu.edu/newspubs/magazine/05ws/generations.htm
Gen Y, Gen X and the Baby Boomers: Workplace
Generation Wars
http://www.cio.com/article/178050/Gen_Y_Gen_X_and_the_Baby_Boomers_Wo
Age-Old Conflict: Baby Boomers Vs. Generation Y
http://www.conntact.com/archive_index/archive_pages/4780_Business_New_Ha
Tips To Improve Interaction Among The Generations
http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/inte
