This document discusses generational differences and how to bridge gaps between generations in the workplace. It provides an overview of the characteristics and experiences of the Silent, Baby Boomer, Gen X, and Millennial generations. Research shows that differences are more related to age and life stage rather than solely generation. Understanding individual motivations and providing development opportunities can help organizations better engage and support all generations. The document recommends asking questions, giving opportunities, providing challenges, fostering connections, and coaching skills as tips to help Millennials thrive specifically.

1. Demystifying Millennials
What Motivation Research Can Tell us about Bridging the Generation Gap

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3. A generation is
“…a group of individuals, born during the same period of time,
having the same approximate age,and assumed to share similar
ideas,problems,attitudes,interests, and values.”

4. Poll Question
Which Generation are you?
• Silents: 1925-1945
• Baby Boomers: 1946-1964
• Gen X: 1965-1980
• Gen Y (Millennials): 1981-1999
• Gen Z: 2000-2012

5. “The young people of today think of nothing but themselves.
They have no reverence for parents or old age.
They are impatient.
They talk as if they alone knew everything and what passes
for wisdom with us is foolishness with them.”
~ Socrates
470-390 BC

6. Source:
Every Every Every Generation
Has Been the Me Me Me Generation
Elspeth Reeve | The Atlantic | May 9, 2013
LIFE
May 17, 1968

7. Source:
Every Every Every Generation
Has Been the Me Me Me Generation
Elspeth Reeve | The Atlantic | May 9, 2013
NEW YORK
August 23, 1976

8. Source:
Every Every Every Generation
Has Been the Me Me Me Generation
Elspeth Reeve | The Atlantic | May 9, 2013
NEWSWEEK
December 30, 1985
“There they are, those
preening narcissists
who have to document
every banal moment
with their cutting-edge
communications
technology.”

9. Source:
Every Every Every Generation
Has Been the Me Me Me Generation
Elspeth Reeve | The Atlantic | May 9, 2013
TIME
July 16, 1990
“They have trouble making
decisions. They would rather
hike in the Himalayas than
climb a corporate ladder… They
crave entertainment, but their
attention span is as short as one
zap of a TV dial… They postpone
marriage because they dread
divorce.”

10. Source:
Every Every Every Generation
Has Been the Me Me Me Generation
Elspeth Reeve | The Atlantic | May 9, 2013
TIME
May 20, 2013

11. [Footer text to come] Page No 11
5 Generations
at Work
Silents 1925-1945
Baby Boomers 1946-1964
Gen X 1965-1980
Gen Y (Millennials) 1981-1999
Gen Z 2000-2012

12. What influenced you as a teenager?
What were the
hairstyles and
fashions?
What was happening
in the world?
What were your
parents’ expectations?
How did your
upbringing affect your
identification with
your generation?

13. Baby Boomers
born 1946-1964

14. What’s it like to be a Boomer?
Most mothers at home full time
Cold War, space race, Cuban missile crisis
Vietnam, Watergate, Peace Movement
Assassinations of JFK, RFK, MLK
A time of dramatic social change

15. Work Ethic Characteristics
Baby Boomers
Work IS life
Wait to be noticed and rewarded
Question authority

16. Generation X
born 1965-1980

17. What’s it like to be a Gen X-er?
More TV channels and the first home computers
Dual household income, latchkey kids, divorce
Very heterogeneous generation
Collapse of communism, spread of AIDS, economic
recession and energy crises
Long term employment is less certain
Wary of institutions but hesitant to challenge them
Work/life balance is important

18. Work Ethic Characteristics
Generation X
Free agents
Side step "the rules”
Self reliance
Work is a contract

19. Gen Y (Millennials)
born 1981-1999

20. Poll Question
What characteristics come to mind
when you think about Millennials?

21. What’s it like to be a Millennial?
Fastest growing workforce
Very tech savvy, highly connected, global citizens
Socially and environmentally conscious
Seek jobs that match their values and encourage teamwork
Expect to be highly successful
Desire frequent on-the-job feedback and gratification
Want managers they can admire
Concerned about work/life balance

22. Work Ethic Characteristics
Millennials
Energetic
Goal oriented
“What’s next?”
High expectations
Want inclusion
Entitled and impatient

23. [Footer text to come] Page No 23
Generational
Differences in
Approaches to
Leadership

24. Page No 24
What drives differences?
Is it generation or is it age?
A Global Study

25. Non-matched groups – Gen X and Gen Y

26. Matched groups (25-35 yrs. old) – Gen X and Gen Y

27. Age Differences within the Same Generation – Gen X

28. [Footer text to come] Page No 28
Generational
Differences in
Motivation
5,386 leaders
Controlling for gender & management level

29. IDI Dimensions
AFFILIATING
Giving
Receiving
Belonging
Expressing
MASTERING
Excelling
Enduring
Structuring
ATTRACTING
Gaining Stature
Entertaining
CHALLENGING
Maneuvering
Winning
Controlling
PERCEIVING
Creating
Interpreting
MAINTAINING
Stability
Independence
Irreproachability

30. Motivation Patterns by Generation

31. Understanding
the individual’s
motivational
energy patterns

32. Understanding a
multi-generational
team through the
lens of motivation

33. Millennials: the Bottom Line
Much of what you observe is related to personal and
professional maturity.
See and understand the uniqueness of each
individual… remembering the brain’s preference for
stereotyping.

34. Six Tips for Helping Millennials Thrive
√ Ask them questions to draw out deeper insights
√ Give them opportunities to be in the spotlight
√ Challenge them with stretch goals
√ Help them feel connected to the organization and to their teams
√ Coach them on persuasive skills
√ Provide good training on Delegation and Feedback

35. More on Bridging Generational Gaps
MRG.com/research

36. Page No 36
Thank you!