Generation Now: Surviving & Thriving With Multiple Generations in the Workplace
1. Generation NOW: Surviving and Thriving
with Multiple Generations in the Workplace
Back in Circulation Again
Madison, Wisconsin October 15, 2012
Lori Reed
lori@lorireed.com
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2. Why might it be important to learn
about different generations?
3. To: Help Desk
Subject: My computer
Remember that problem you fixed
the other day. It’s happening again.
Can you come fix it right away.
WTF
4. WTF? Why is he
such a PITA?
Yeah we’ll fix
your problem
…next year.
5. I sure like those
Help Desk guys.
I want to be
friendly so I’ll sign
my name with my
initials W.T.F.
Professor Walter T. Franklin
7. Learning Objectives:
• What do we mean by generations
• Define each generation
• Strengths and challenges of each
generation
• How generations approach change
• Tips to improve communication
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8.
9. Why we are the way we are?
education
?????????
personal
experiences
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30. Events
•Civil Rights Act
•Alaska and Hawaii
become states
•Vietnam War
•MLK assassinated
•Nixon becomes
president
•Neil Armstrong walks
on the moon
•Watergate Baby
•TV
Boomers
31. TV Sets in Homes
•1952 4 million
•1960 50 million
Baby
Boomers
32. Values and Traits
•Women’s and Civil
Rights
•Competitive
•Questioned their
upbringing
•Saw some flaws in
the world and tried to
fix them
Baby
OPTIMISTIC Boomers
33. Gen X
• Born 1965 – 1980
• Age 46 – 31
* As of 2011 Gen X
34. Events
• 1st home computers
TRS-80 and
Commodore
• Iran hostage crisis
• John Lennon
assassinated
• Challenger
explosion
Gen X
35. Events
• Divorce rate
TRIPLED while
Xers were growing
up
• Latch key kids
• AIDS
• Crack cocaine
• Child abductions
• Perceived threat of
nuclear war
Gen X
36. Values and Traits
• Independent
• Resourceful
• Cautious
• Self-command (no
one will do it for me)
• Faith in self, less
faith in institutions
• No common hero
SKEPTICAL
42. Characteristics
• Appreciation for
diversity
• Exposed to a lot –
travel, day care,
technology, media
• Expect workplace to
reflect diversity
• Been involved in
every family
decision
Millennial
43. Matures Boomer Gen X Gen Y
Birth 1928-1945 1946-1964 1965-1980 1981-1999
Family Traditional Disintegrating Latch key kids Blended
Education A dream A birthright A way to get there A huge expense
Values •“We” first •Loyal to “me” •“Prove it to me” •“Work hard=reward”
•Military •Team oriented •Work/Life Balance •Instant gratification
•Respect •Competitive •Why? •Hive mind
•Conformity •Workaholics •Responsible for own •Job not a way of life but
•Timeliness •Face time success means to provide for
•Must believe in leader outside activities
•“Army of 1”
•Adult-o-lescence
Heroes Army, Navy MLK No common hero Family or someone they
(not JKF know or met (individual)
individuals)
44. Matures Boomer Gen X Gen Y
Birth 1928-1945 1946-1964 1965-1980 1981-1999
In a word Loyal Optimistic Skeptical Realistic
Leadership in a Chain of Change of command Self command Don’t command –
few words command collaborate!
Career Goals Build a legacy Build a stellar career Build a portable career Build parallel careers
Preferred Satisfaction of Money, title, Freedom. Time off. Work that has meaning.
Rewards a job well done. recognition. Shifting to Relaxed dress code. Fun environment. Work
Alternative value of time. Time to Portable benefits. in teams. Resume
scheduling. care for children AND building.
Recognition. aging parents.
Balance Shifting the Help me balance myself Balance now not when Work is not everything
balance and everyone else I’m 65
Retirement Reward Retool Renew Recycle
Job Changing Stigma Puts you behind Necessary Part of daily routine
45. Matures Boomer Gen X Gen Y
Birth 1928-1945 1946-1964 1965-1980 1981-1999
Feedback No news is Once a year How am I doing? At the push of a button!
good news
Training I learned the Train too much and they The more they learn, the Lifelong learning is a
hard way so will leave. more they stay. way of life.
can you.
46. What one thing will you do
differently as a result of today’s
session?
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