BALANCING LIFE’S ISSUES INC.

Making the Most of a Multigenerational

Workforce

Definition of Generation

generation: noun - all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age.

Objectives

Identify the 4 generation and the characteristics and

motivations of each.

Understand how members of each generation work

Understand how each generation affects you

Learn how to use generational difference to make

your workplace more productive for all employees

The 4 Generations

Traditionalists - born: 1922-1945 Aka – GI’s, Silent Generation, Veterans

Baby Boomers – born: 1946-1964

Generation X – born: 1965-1980

Millennials – born: 1981 – 2000

Traditionalists 1922-1945

Experiences World War II Great Depression Life-time employment Men vs. Women Little technology TV – played limited

role Music - Big Band and

Patriotic

Traits Respect for authority Patriotism Patience Hard working Stability Emotional maturity

Baby Boomers 1946-1964

Experiences Space Race Korean & Vietnam War Civil Rights Act TV Generation Rock and Roll Assassination of JFK Women’s Liberation

Traits Question authority –

anti-establishment. Dedicated – driven Idealistic Experienced Knowledgeable Service-oriented

Generation “X”ers 1965-1980

Experiences End of Vietnam War “Latch Key kids” Increased Divorce

Rate 1980 Layoffs Title IX Technology begins

rapid growth – changes how many jobs are done.

Traits Distrustful of authority Independent Creative Adaptable Team-oriented Social minded Used to structured

lives

Millennials – Generation “Y” – 1981-2000

Experiences

End of Cold War

Desert Storm

World Wide Web

Global Warming

Terrorist Attacks

Traits

Optimistic

Able to multi-task

Tenacious - confident

Very technologically

savvy

Socially responsible

Statistics on internet use

59 percent of Millennials consume most of their news via the Internet

53 percent of Gen Xers get most of their news from the Internet

Use of Social Networks:In 2005 - 7 percent of Millennials used social

networking sites; now 75 percent do. Gen Xers' use of social networking sites grew by 43Boomers’ use increased by 25 percent pointsSince 2008 Silent Generation, increased their

usage from 4 to 16 percent.

Work Style by Generation

Traditionalists - Hard working – value putting in

long hours – physical presence – work to rule.

Baby Boomers – Dedicated, team work and

meetings important, collaboration, service oriented –

work/life balance important.

Generation X and Millennials– Creative, techno-

literate, want their contribution valued irrespective

of actual time put in. Don’t want to punch a clock –

free spirit Monster, Apple and Google work styles.

Managing Traditionalists & Boomers

Traditionalists Want respect for their

contributions and knowledge.

Often detail oriented which is a valuable offset to less experience workers.

May need to learn team approach.

May need help with technology skills or extra time to adapt and accept new technology.

Baby Boomers Like face-to-face

interaction and consensus building.

Often more process oriented.

Seek high achievement and personal gratification. (Award certificates and recognition a big motivator for baby boomers)

Managing Generation X’ers & Millennials

Need flexibility to be creative which can lead to high productivity.

Immediate feedbackDislike micromanagingDo want clear directionFreedom and flexibility with the “how” to do their

work.Crave increased responsibilityOften need assistance with time management

(Facebook is the new “water cooler”)“Long-term” to Millennials is a year or two.

Managing Differences Effectively

Respect differences and try to reasonable meet needs.

Don’t manage rigidly – offers choices and optionsRespect contributions that all employees make

based on their strengths as they contribute to your goals

Work to retain good employees by strengthening their weaknesses and developing strengths.

Keep communication open and non-judgmental.Allow information to flow through all levels of

management and staff.

BALANCING LIFE’S ISSUES INC.

Making the Most of a Multigenerational

Workforce