surviving and thriving in a multi-generational workplace - 2016
TRANSCRIPT
Surviving and Thriving in a Multi-Generational Workforce
Veterans/Traditionalists: Over 72 years old
• Important events included: – The Great Depression– WWII – Disney releases it’s first animated feature (Snow
White)– The Korean War– Sputnik went into Orbit
You might be a veteran if…• You have the ability to entertain yourself without a
TV, in fact you remember the days before TV
• Popular Technology: Radio
Baby Boomers: 51-71 years old• Important events included: – Man walks on the Moon– Civil Rights– Woodstock– Deaths of JFK and Martin Luther King– Vietnam War begins
You might be a Boomer if you can complete these sentences…
• When the Beatles first came to the U.S. in early 1964, we all watched them on the ______show
• "Get your kicks, ________________”
• Popular Technology: Television
Generation X: 37-50 years old
• Important events: – The Cold War (remember getting under your desk?)– Challenger Shuttle Explodes on Takeoff– Berlin Wall Dismantled– Fall of Communism in Eastern Europe– U.S. Troops go to Persian Gulf for the 1st time– AIDS Identified
You might be a Gen Xer if…• Schoolhouse Rock played a HUGE part in how you actually
learned the English language. – I know what a Bill (sittin’ up on Capital Hill) is thanks to that show!!
Popular Technology: Computers
Older Millennials: 28-36 years old
• Important Events: – Death of Princess Diana– Death of Mother Teresa– Columbine– 9/11– World Center Attacks– War begins in Iraq for a 2nd time
You might be a Millennial if…• Blog, Facebook, Instagram, IM, text messaging, and
other social media are a regular part of your daily life
• Popular Technology: The internet, cell phones
Younger Millennials: 19-27 years old
• Important Events: – Grew up during the “Great Recession”– 9/11 still impacting parenting styles– War on Terror and weapons of mass destruction
You might be a Millennial if…• You use SnapChat, YouTube, and Instagram regularly,
you love reality TV, and you have never known a time without technology
• Popular Technology: Mobile Technology
What Make’s Millennials Different?
94% of Millennials state they respect older generations
Is the workplace really that different compared
to 20 years ago?
Sound Familiar?
• Looking for meaningful work• Seeking challenge• Chance to prove themselves and show they can
perform well• Enjoys contact with people• Desire to be in a position of responsibility• Resents being looked at as though they have no
experience• Tends to be more job mobile• Less respectful of authority
Who does this describe?
Training and Development Journal
November 1970Sorry Boomers, the other generations in the workforce
didn’t like you when you started working!
Every generation that enters the workforce makes waves!
Every generation that enters the workforce makes waves!
Workplace Values
Veterans Boomers Gen Xers Millennials
Career Goals
Build a legacy Build a stellar career
Build a portable career
Build parallel careers
Rewards Satisfaction of a job well done
Money, title, recognition, corner office
Freedom is the ultimate reward
Work that has meaning for me
Work-Life Balance
Support me in shifting the balance
Help me balance everyone else and
find meaning myself
Give me balance now! Not when
I’m 65
Work isn’t everything. Need
flexibility to balance my other
activities
Job Changing
Carries a stigma Puts you behind Is necessary Is part of the daily routine
Training I learned the hard way, you can too!
Train ‘em too much and they’ll
leave
The more they learn, the more
they’ll stay
Continuous learning is a way
of life
Source: When Generations Collide
Generation Z
How Can You Help Different Generations Work Together
Effectively?
FOCUS: on the similarities of the different generations.
We all want to be successful in our careers.
We all have hopes and dreams.
UNDERSTAND: the differences between the way the generations
approach work.• OPTIMIZE: the strengths of each group:
Veterans are loyal and want to make a difference.
Boomers are highly optimistic but may be looking toward their next stage of life.
X-ers value independence and flexibility and the opportunity to manage.
Millennials value teamwork and personal connection as well as making a difference.
REALIZE: the possible weaknesses of each generation.
Younger workers may not see the potential hazards and pitfalls of business. They don’t have the knowledge of what has worked in the past
and what has been a total failure.
Older workers may be too focused on the way things have “always been done” and thus be
resistant to accepting new procedures and new technologies.
If you remember nothing else, remember this…
Jennifer [email protected]
Download this presentation from:Twitter: Jenfisherfw
www.jenthreepointzero.com
Thank You!!!