Generations in the Workplace:Building Bridges

Generation Gaps: Why We Struggle

Shared Life Experiences

Social experiences

Econ

om

ic C

on

ditio

ns

Siz

e o

f th

e C

oh

ort

News headlines

Political Experiences

Pop Culture

Builders/Veterans

Born 1925-1945

Millennials/Gen “Y”

Born 1978-1996

Generation“X”

Born 1965-1977

BabyBoomers

Born 1946-1964

_ Million

_ Million _ Million

_Million

Builders/Veterans/Traditionalists

Some Defining Events:

Builder/ Veteran Values

• Duty before pleasure• Loyal• Dependable• Honor heroes and leaders• Belief in institutions like

the church, government, companies

• Discipline• Hard work and sacrifice

should be rewarded

In the Workplace

Baby BoomersSome Defining Events:

Baby Boomer Values• LIVE to work• Identity is tied to professional

life• Hard work = success• Love/hate relationship with

authority• Belief and trust in institutions• Competitive: get ahead• Service-oriented; optimistic• Relationship/team-builders • Health and wellness• Forever young

In the Workplace

Generation XDefining events:

Generation X Values• Skepticism• Distrust of institutions• Hard work does not guarantee

success• Work-life balance: work to LIVE• Identity is connected to fun, family• Self-reliant, autonomous• Practical/pragmatic• Work should be fun• Competitive; upward mobility• Adapt to change well• Techno-literate• Instant gratification• Multi-taskers

In the Workplace

MillennialsDefining Events

Millennial Values• FAST multi-taskers• Work to LIVE• Socially responsible: Volunteerism• Interested in spirituality• Expect and celebrate diversity• Confident; believe they are ready

now for more responsibility• Like to work in teams• Technology is an integral part of

who they are• Delayed adulthood• Want and expect PRAISE• Morality; abstinence up, substance

abuse is down

In the Workplace

Shared Values of All Generations

-- Ben Rosen, Ph.D., UNC-CH Kenan-Flagler Business School

All generations agreed that the ideal leader…

-- Ben Rosen, Ph.D., UNC-CH Kenan-Flagler Business School

Tips for working with Millennials

• Acknowledge their expertise and perspective and that you can learn from them

• Be open to new ways of working• Embrace technology• Create opportunities to involve them in important

projects• Offer to be a mentor• Find a communications balance• Foster fun work environment• Give frequent feedback and praise• Avoid age-related name-calling “the children”

Tips for working with Generation X

• Acknowledge their experience, expertise, and that you can learn from them

• Be clear and direct; avoid jargon, buzzwords• Find a communications balance• Allow flexibility in work style processes• Honor the need for work-life balance• Encourage a friendly, casual work environment• Avoid age-related name-calling “slacker, no loyalty,

poor work ethic”

Tips for working with Baby Boomers

• Acknowledge their experience, expertise, and hard work

• Find a communications balance between text/email/voicemail and face-to-face communication

• Seek their help with workplace politics• Use them as a sounding board• Avoid age-related comments like “They’ll do anything

to get ahead, they’re workaholics”

Tips for working with Builders/Veterans

• Acknowledge their experience and dedication• Pay attention to the chain of command• Speak positively about history of organization• Express interest in the work – processes, projects, etc.• Seek their insights• Use them as a resource• Acknowledge their respect for rules and hierarchy• Avoid age-related offensive comments “Aren’t you ready

to retire?”

What will you commit to do differently to improve teamwork with coworkers of different generations?

“People resemble their times more than they resemble their parents.”

References• Zemke, Ron; Raines, Claire; and Filipczak, Bob. Generations at Work., 2nd Edition.

AMACOM, 2013.• White, Marion. “Rethinking Generation Gaps in the Workplace: Focus on Shared

Values.” Whitepaper published by UNC Executive Development, 2011.• Espinoza, Chip; Ukleja, Mick; and Rusch, Craig. Managing the Millennials. John

Wiley & Sons, 2010.• Lancaster, Lynne C. and Stillman, David. When Generations Collide. Harper

Business, 2002.