Bridging Generational Gaps: Working as OneTASSCCPresented By Amelie KaramAugust 13, 2019
*Pew Research 2018
Millennial GenerationBorn: 1981-1996Age in 2019: 23-38
Generation XBorn: 1965-1980Age in 2019: 39-54
Baby BoomersBorn: 1946-1964Age in 2019: 55-73
Silent GenerationBorn: 1928-1945Age in 2019: 74-91
Greatest GenerationBorn before 1928Age in 2019: 92+
The Generations Defined
Generation ZBorn: 1997 and laterAge in 2019: up to 22
*Pew Research
Generational understanding
Generation Z
Generation Z
Simone Biles
Technology as a norm
The Great Recession
Orlando Shooting
Parkland Shooting
Generation Z’s Strengths
u Tech savvyu Connectedu Thrifty
*Center of Generational Kinetics
Generation Z’s Weaknesses
u Communicates almost entirely on screensu Less idealistic u Less guarded with privacy
*Center of Generational Kinetics
Millennials
Millennial Generation
September 11, 2001
Cell Phones
Social Media
War on Terrorism
Taylor Swift
Columbine
Millennials’ Strengths
u Tech Dependentu Social Media Machinesu Enthusiastic u Inclusive u Self-Sufficient
Millennials’ Weaknesses
u Entitledu No Sense of Commitmentu Not Hard Workersu Know-It-All Attitude
Generation X
Generation X
Berlin Wall
Iranian Hostage Crisis
AIDS epidemic
High Divorce Rates
Watergate
Matt Damon
Generation X’s Strengths
u Effective Managersu High Revenue Generatorsu Adaptableu Problem Solversu Collaborators
Generation X’s Weaknesses
u Lack Executive Presenceu Not Cost Effectiveu Overlook Big-Pictureu Don’t Always Speak Their Mind
Baby Boomers
Baby Boomers
JFK assassination
Man on the Moon
Vietnam War
Martin Luther King assassination
Woodstock
Al Roker
Baby Boomers’ Strengths
u Productiveu Hardworkingu Team Playersu Mentors
Baby Boomers’ Weaknesses
u Not Open to Collaborationu Less Inclined to Accept Changeu Not Tech Savvy
Silent and Greatest Generation
Silent Generation and Greatest Generation
Great Depression
World War II
Betty White
Morgan Freeman
The Dust Bowl
Silent Generation’s Strengths
u Hardworkingu Willpoweru Loyal employeesu Respect authorityu Thrifty
Silent Generation’s Weaknesses
u Traditional u Less inclined to accept changeu Tech challenged
Changes
Average student loan debt for physician is $207,000.*AAMC
Statistical Differences
Only 27% of Millennials are married; whereas 65% of Baby Boomers were married at the same ages.*Gallup 2018
Gen Z is the already the most racially and ethnically diverse generation, as only 52% are non-Hispanic whites.*Pew Research 2018
The U.S. divorce rate has dropped 18% from 2008 to 2016. *University of Maryland
Average student loan debt for Millennial undergraduate is $39,400.*StudentLoanHero 2018
Four-in-ten Millennial workers ages 25 to 29 had at least a bachelor’s degree in 2016.*Pew Research 2017
Being connected
#MillennialsAreConnected
u Millennials share their opinions on social media.
u Be aware of their online presence. u Use their connectivity for your
benefit.
How to address cell phone use:
u Know the cell phone policy.u Use phone during cell phone “friendly” times.u Have a “no cell phone” conference room policy.
“
”
There should be no cell phones in conference rooms. None, zero. When sitting and waiting for a meeting to start, instead of using your phone with your head down, everyone should be focused on building relationships.
*Simon Sinek 2016
Experiences are influential.
#PrayforParkland #NeverForget911#PrayForBatonRouge
#PrayForDallas
#PrayForBoston#PrayForNice
#PrayForOrlando#PrayForSanBernardino
#PrayForParis#WhereIWas
These events have impacted all generation’sdesire for a strong work-life balance.
“
”
Fifty-one percent of Millennials are concerned about burnout.
*Witt/Kieffer
Work-Life Balance Ideas:
u Flexibility with family related eventsu Option to work from homeu Flexibility with shift changes
Everyone has a story.
Create an environment that celebrates the story.
Build a multi-generational culture.
What Every Generation Wants:
u Flexible hoursu Meaningful worku Relaxed and efficient workplaceu Good benefits and perks
“
”
Happiness led to a 12% spike in productivity, while unhappy workers proved 10% less productive.
*University of Warwick 2015
The more satisfied your employees are in their work, the more satisfied your customers will be.
*Witt/Kieffer
Create a culture that is:
u Well-definedu What words will guests use to describe your organization?
u Properly executedu Are employees successfully living out culture at work?
u Makes an impactu How is the culture helping the community?
u Gives work meaning and purposeu Do employees know their role in making the culture thrive?
Employee loyalty
“
”We give people license to be themselves.
-Herb Kelleher
Co-founder of Southwest Airlines
Building employee loyalty
*NRC Health
u Create a strong culture u Build relationships u Allow employees freedom to be unique in their job u Affirm fellow employeesu Collaborate when decision making
Affirmation is important
“
”
Ninety-nine percent of Millennials surveyed said affirmation was important.
*Amelie Karam: Millennial Survey 2016
Millennials like to receive affirmation from their coworkers or direct boss.
*Amelie Karam: Millennial Survey 2016
How do Millennials like to receive affirmation?
A. Verbally in privateB. Verbally in publicC. Sent in an emailD. Handwritten in a note
*Amelie Karam: Millennial Survey 2016
Collaborating with Multi-Generations
“
”
One-hundred percent of Millennials surveyed wanted to be heard and asked for input at work.
*Amelie Karam: Millennial Survey 2015
Ways to involve every generation:
u Collaborate when decision makingu Offer a Mentoring / Reverse-Mentoring programu Have a representative from every generation on the Boardu Construct a multi-generational strategic planning committee
Generational Changes
*Pew Research 2018
52%
61%
70%
82%
25%
18%
12%
4%
14%
15%
15%
13%
6%
4%
0
1%
4%
1%
3%
1%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%
Gen Z in 2018
Millennials in 2002
Gen X in 1986
Baby Boomers in 1968
THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC MAKEUP OF AMERICA’S GENERATION
PERCENTAGE OF 6 TO 21-YEAR-OLDS
White Hispanic Black Asian Other
Millennials vary by culture.
*Harvard Business Review Study 2015
Guiding principles for adapting to different cultures:
u Acknowledge that differences exist.
u Seek to understand, rather than criticize or defend your way of doing tasks.
u Be gracious; accept that you may not understand another’s viewpoint.
u Withhold judgment.
u Seek to communicate through their worldview lens.
u Don’t assume that a lack of knowledge is the same as stupidity.
*15five
One Unified organization
Use Gen Z’s connectivity to access a broader audience.
Use Millennials’ inclusiveness to create more diverse perspective.
Use Gen X’s adaptability to discover new ways to do things.
Use Baby Boomer’s experience to help mentor the younger employees.
Takeaways
Takeaway #1
To attract and retain top talent you must be open to
change.
Takeaway #2
Build a community within the workplace that is
supported by individual relationships.
Takeaway #3
Be aware of the generational and cultural needs in the
workplace to help employees feel satisfied with their job.
Takeaway #4
To encourage employee loyalty, allow employees to
be themselves in their roles.
Takeaway #5
All generations in the workplace have more similarities
than they do differences.
It’s nine o’clock on a MondayThe regular crowd shuffles in.There’s a Boomer sitting next to meWriting notes with his paper and pen
He says, “Amelie, this place is killing me.I’ll tell you how this job goes:I worked hard, I worked nights, I worked holidays,When I wore a younger man’s clothes.”
Sing us a song Gen SpecialistSing us a song todayWe all have to work togetherBut have yet to find a good way
Now Zach at the front’s a Millennial He thinks our lunch should be free. A vegan, his food must be locally-sourcedAnd there’s someplace that he’d rather be.
Larry, the Boomer managerThe flip-phone carrying typeHe’s talking with Jamie, the MTV babyWho sighs when Millennials gripe.
And the breakroom it sounds like a funeral homeAnd the microwave reeks Lean Cuisine And they sit at the table and ask if I’m ableCause “this ain’t the job of our dreams.”
Sing us a song Gen SpecialistSing us a song todayWe all have to work togetherAnd we hope you will show us a way.
ameliekaram.com 903.293.8107 [email protected]
Amelie Karam Speaking and Consulting