Presentation

1. Working with Generations
X and Y:
Leading the Next Generation
of Public Works
Tuesday, April 2, 2012
Chas Jordan
City of Largo
Amy Blaida
Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc.

3. Generation X – Amy
(1961 - 1980)
Generation Y – Chas
(1981 - 2000)

6. THERE ARE
CURRENTLY
80 MILLION
MILLENIALS IN
THE UNITED
STATES AND
Source: http://www.justgrapeswine.com/wp-
GROWING
content/uploads/2010/01/Millennials.jp

7. Working Together
Well, now we know about Generations X and
Y... but how do we get them to work
together with us???

8. Things to Remember...
1. WE ALL WANT TO SUCCEED
2. WE ALL WANT TO LEARN
3. WE WANT OUR CAREER TO BENEFIT
AND ENRICH OUR LIVES, NOT BE OUR
LIVES.

9. Ideas for Your Workplace
1. Mentorship
2. Commitment to Professional
Development, Travel, and Training.
3. Quality Constructive Criticism and
Commendation
4. Community Outreach Programs
5. Freedom to Succeed

10. Ideas for APWA
1. Mentorship
2. Developing Mentors
3. Provide Quality Professional
Development and Membership
Services
4. Communication through New Media
5. Leadership Ladders and Planning

11. QUESTIONS??

12. Working with Generations
X and Y:
Leading the Next Generation
of Public Works
Tuesday, April 2, 2012
Chas Jordan
City of Largo
Amy Blaida
Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc.
Introduction of Presenters -
Charles R. “Chas” Jordan
Representing Generation Y
Brad Johnson
Representing Generation X
Goal of the Presentation -
As more Millenials (Generation Y) enter the workplace, and the Xers are
taking on more leadership roles, more experienced generations are finding
it harder and harder to relate to their employees, subordinates, and those
being mentored to take their place. This presentation will be a view from
two individuals in Generations X and Y and their needs, wants, and
expectations as new young professionals in the Public Works Profession.
It is intended for the attendee to provide direct information on how to better
manage and work with employees in these generations, and to make them
effective members of your team.

14. Generation X – Amy
(1961 - 1980)
Generation Y – Chas
(1981 - 2000)
We are here representing the two newest generations to enter the
workforce: Generation X and Generation Y (or the Millenials). The needs of
our generations and our peers are special, and somewhat hard for Silent
Generation individuals or Baby Boomers to understand.
Why is this important?
Nationally, APWA is seeing a real desire from Baby Boomers to be
educated on how not only to manage members of these generational
groups, but how to get them involved in APWA as well. To do that,
members of the national Diversity Committee, and it's subcommittee on
Bridging the Generations, have been putting forth educational seminars on
the subject to answer questions and to discuss some of the issues that all
generations are having.
Generational Diversity training is currently one of the most sought after
subjects by big business and major corporations in hopes of learning ways
to become more effective and efficient in their workplace.

17. THERE ARE
CURRENTLY
80 MILLION
MILLENIALS IN
THE UNITED
STATES AND
Source: http://www.justgrapeswine.com/wp-
GROWING
content/uploads/2010/01/Millennials.jp
Unlike Generation X, Generation Y mirrors or “Echos” the Baby Boomer
generation and will more than likely predominate the workforce as the
Baby Boomers retire. This means that Baby Boomers need to continue to
fulfill their role as mentors (or parents) of this generation and mentor them
to keep our businesses and communities going in the next 5-10 years.
This also means that with this generation knowing the Baby Boomers are
preparing to leave the workforce, there is a strong sense of entitlement to
good jobs, strong careers, and quick elevation.

18. Working Together
Well, now we know about Generations X and
Y... but how do we get them to work
together with us???
The purpose of this presentation is to help you learn ways to make your
workforce more effective by “Bridging” the gap between these cultural
differences in the generations.
This requires understanding of the differences and using them to your
advantage.

19. Things to Remember...
1. WE ALL WANT TO SUCCEED
2. WE ALL WANT TO LEARN
3. WE WANT OUR CAREER TO BENEFIT
AND ENRICH OUR LIVES, NOT BE OUR
LIVES.
To make this easy we decided to put our recommendations into three
specific things to remember.
The first thing you need to remember is: WE ALL WANT TO SUCCEED.
Forget the notion that either Generation X or Generation Y is apathetic or
does not care, or does not work hard. Let X and Y use the tools at their
disposal to succeed on their own as well. Sometimes your way is NOT the
only way, and usually is NOT the most efficient way.
The second thing you need to remember is: WE WANT TO LEARN.
Silent Generation and Baby Boomers are our greatest resource to learn
how to better our careers and to be effective in our jobs. The best way to
make younger generations a productive part of your workforce is to nurture
their development. Mentorship is essential.
The third thing you need to remember is: WE WANT OUR CAREER TO
BENEFIT AND ENRICH OUR LIVES, NOT BE OUR LIVES.
Gone are the days where incoming workers can be ground to a pulp in
work because they are the new guys and need to earn their spikes. If you
believe this needs to be done, you are going to lose a lot of great new
workers in your workplace. Younger generations have been taught by you
the older generations that they can do anything, and that they should find a
job they love. If they do not love it, they will not stay, and they will bounce
from place to place until they do.

20. Ideas for Your Workplace
1. Mentorship
2. Commitment to Professional
Development, Travel, and Training.
3. Quality Constructive Criticism and
Commendation
4. Community Outreach Programs
5. Freedom to Succeed
Ideas for you to use in working together effectively in your workplace:
1. Mentorship is the most important benefit you can provide a Generation X
or Y employee. Mentoring them in business etiquette, in technical and
professional skills, and most importantly: in communication and
leadership.
2. Generations X and Y are looking for quality travel, training, and
professional development opportunities to enrich their work experience.
They want to become the best they can be at their current jobs, and also
want to make themselves the best professional they can.
3. Generations X and Y are not looking to be bossed, and will easily break
and leave if they feel they are not treated well. What they look for is the
same treatment their parents and teachers gave them: feedback that shows
when they are doing something well, but also ways to improve.
4. This is a leadership opportunity you could give to a Generation X or Y
individual. Let them know that the staff wants to provide service back to
the community and see how they run with it. You may be surprised at the
success and the drive they show.
5. Give these employees freedom to succeed. Give them clear direction
and an intended outcome for what YOU need, then let them do it the way
THEY want to. I know this is difficult to agree to, but letting these
employees be innovative is beneficial to both you and the employee.

21. Ideas for APWA
1. Mentorship
2. Developing Mentors
3. Provide Quality Professional
Development and Membership
Services
4. Communication through New Media
5. Leadership Ladders and Planning
Ideas for you to use in working together effectively in APWA:
1. We come back to Mentorship. Younger members are unsure of their
place in the organization and therefore need experienced members to
guide them through the programs, politics, and organizational units that
are APWA.
2. We need to train new Mentors. The best way to involve young members
is to train our Public Works Directors, Assistant Directors, Managers,
Engineers, etc. to seek out and involve new talent. Young members will
get involved if an older member suggests it, or even goes so far as guides
them through the process.
3. APWA MUST provide membership benefit to these members. The main
way to do that is through Professional Development opportunities and
Training. Younger professionals are not going to join this organization for
Networking opportunities alone, and their communities aren't going to pay
for it.
4. Communication to them in modes that they are used to and use
frequently will guarantee they are knowledgeable of the current events of
the organization.
5. Provide clear understanding of ways to succeed and advance in
leadership in the organization so it is understood from day one. Also,
breakdown rigid expectations and “good ole boy” mentalities, because
nothing will turn them away faster.

22. QUESTIONS??
Ideas for you to use in working together effectively in APWA:
1. We come back to Mentorship. Younger members are unsure of their
place in the organization and therefore need experienced members to
guide them through the programs, politics, and organizational units that
are APWA.
2. We need to train new Mentors. The best way to involve young members
is to train our Public Works Directors, Assistant Directors, Managers,
Engineers, etc. to seek out and involve new talent. Young members will
get involved if an older member suggests it, or even goes so far as guides
them through the process.
3. APWA MUST provide membership benefit to these members. The main
way to do that is through Professional Development opportunities and
Training. Younger professionals are not going to join this organization for
Networking opportunities alone, and their communities aren't going to pay
for it.
4. Communication to them in modes that they are used to and use
frequently will guarantee they are knowledgeable of the current events of
the organization.
5. Provide clear understanding of ways to succeed and advance in
leadership in the organization so it is understood from day one. Also,
breakdown rigid expectations and “good ole boy” mentalities, because
nothing will turn them away faster.