To communicate clearly with each generation in today’s workplace, you need to understand the political, societal, and technological events that shaped each generation’s core beliefs and values. Once you understand the history, traits, and culture of each generation, you can then better speak each generation’s language, which builds rapport and trust. The result? Higher sales, improved bottom-line results, and increased employee retention.

1. Understanding Our
Generationally Diverse
Workforce

2. Aging Population
• 10,000 Americans turn 60
every day
• (That’s 416 every hour!)

3. Aging Population
• 76M will reach retirement
age in 10-15 years
• (That’s 43% of workforce!)

4. Are You Ready?

5. Who Are the Generations in
Today’s Workforce?

6. Generations in the
Workplace
•Traditionalist
•Baby Boomer
•Gen X
•Gen Y

7. 1. Baby Boomers
• Born 1946-1964
• 82.8 Million
• 29.4% of U.S.

8. 2. Generation X
• Born 1965-1980
• 58.9 Million
• 21% of U.S.

9. 3. Generation Y
• Born 1981-2001
• 80.4 Million
• 28.6% of U.S.

10. Each generation is shaped
by the political, technological
and cultural events that
occurred in their lifetimes.
These events create
generational traits.

11. Impacts

12. What Helped Shape the
Baby Boomers?

13. Baby Boomers
Events that shaped them
– Assassination of MLK, JFK
– Vietnam War
– Free love
– Availability of college
educations

14. Baby Boomers
What are their generational
traits?
– Macro- and micro-detail
oriented
– Idealistic and cause-driven
– Team-focused
– Consensus-oriented

15. What Helped Shape
Generation X?

16. Generation X
Events that shaped
them
– Recessions
– Watergate
– Gulf War
– Explosion of Shuttle
Challenger
– High divorce rates
– MTV domination

17. Generation X
What are their
generational traits?
– Self-sufficient
– Pragmatic
– Distrustful of hierarchy
– Individualistic
– Ambitious

18. What Helped Shape
Generation Y?

19. Generation Y
Events that shaped
them
– 9/11
– AIDS epidemic
– Obama presidential
campaign
– Wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan
– Social media
– Reality TV

20. Generation Y
What are their
generational traits?
– Digital natives
– Global citizens
– Embrace diversity
– Value work/life
balance
– Value community,
connection

21. Email anne@anneloehr.com for more
information on generational workshops and
keynotes.
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@anneloehr.com