Making the Most of Generational
Differences
Presented by Terry Stewart Mouchayleh, Ph.D.Director of Professional Development & Evaluation
Austin Community College District
The American Workplace: Who are We?
Veterans: Also called the Silent Generation, Traditionalists and Seniors, these individuals were born between 1922 and 1943.
Baby Boomers: Born between 1943 and 1960, the generation is also referred to as the Me Generation, and the Sandwich Generation.
Generation X: This group of individuals was born between 1960 and 1980 and is sometimes called the Baby Bust Generation.
Millennials: Also referred to as the Echos, the Nexters, and Generation Y, these individuals were born between 1980 and 2000.
Quick Poll
Who are we in this room?
Why Does it Matter?
For the first time in American history, four generations are side-by-side in the workplace.
“All employees must expand their comfort zone with other generations. When each generation understands the characteristics, values and motivations of the others, there is a greater appreciation of what everyone brings to the workplace.”
--Freda Turner, Jacksonville Business Journal
It’s all about communication and understanding with whom you are
communicating.
Veterans
Depression era children
World War II
Great sense of loyalty
Desire to be accepted socially
Fairly conservative
Defined by work
Desire to succeed—pay dues
Baby Boomers
All about Me
Created social change
First wave of working women
More than one marriage
Big spenders-poor savers
Desire to succeed—pay dues
Generation X
Latchkey kids Function well alone Raised on electronic
media Often children of divorce
and non-traditional family units
Sometimes seen as barriers to parents’ success
Use of newest technology is a given
Tend to be pessimistic and skeptical of authority and institutions
Short attention spans
Quick Quiz: What is a Gen X defining movie?
Millennial Generation
Younger siblings of Gen Xers
Benefited from parents’ later life success
Gravitate toward group activity
Identify with parents’ values
New technology is a given
Are racially and ethnically diverse
Often have at least one immigrant parent
Short attention spans
Quick Quiz
How do Millennials feel about older generations?
Employment Characteristics
Veterans: loyalty to employer, hard work, dependability, personal touch, obedience over individualism
Baby Boomers: Belief in paying dues, sense of duty, sacrifice for success, loyalty to employer, salary contributes to satisfaction
Gen X: tech skills, entrepreneurial, mobility/flexibility at work, lack of work loyalty, want balance of work and home life, need immediate feedback, desire for challenge
Millennial generation: tech skills, expectation of diversity, rapid results/immediate feedback, mobility/flexibility at work, want balance of work and home life, independence, desire for challenge.
Quick QuizWhich of these is not a common way that Millennial generation individuals communicate?A. PhoneB. EmailC. My Space/FacebookD. Text messaging
Okay, fine, but why the huge differences?
Answer:
Technology
Parenting
Helicopter Parents
Are Gen Xers and Millennials Alike?
60% of Millennials and <40% of Gen Xers are comfortable speaking with professors
60% of Millennials and 29% of Gen Xers are comfortable asking for special treatment
70% of Millennials and 40% of Gen Xers believe that authority figures should set and enforce rules
60% of Millennials and 35% of Gen Xers feel comfortable challenging professors on grades
--Molly Epstein, Emory University, 2007
Quick Quiz
Do Gen Xers enjoy group activities?
Famous Last Words: “Well, they’ll just have to get used to the way we do
things around here.”
Well . . . .
“Highly skilled Generation X junior officers and enlisted soldiers are leaving in droves. The lure of higher paying civilian jobs is only part of the problem. . . many of these young Gen X officers are not merely leaving for financial reasons, but for management reasons. They don’t believe their older more senior-ranking officers understand their needs or manage them properly.”
--Gregory P. Smith, Managing the New Workforce
And . . . .
“Generation X employees tend to be less motivated by promises of overtime pay and more motivated by personal satisfaction with their job.”
--Gregory P. Smith
“I used to entice my teachers to work on extra projects by paying stipends. This new crop won’t even do it for money.”
--Texas public school administrator
Of course there’s this . . . .
Millennial generation employees “. . . Refuse to do the ‘what’ until they hear the ‘why.’ Raised by teachers and parents who allowed them to freely speak their minds, these employees can drive managers crazy with questions . . . “
--Lynne Curry, Managing the GenX/Y Employee
“These high maintenance Millennials, like their predecessors . . . are great multi-taskers but with 10 times the speed of their older siblings. . . . They come into the work force with technological knowledge that didn’t exist even when Gen Xerswere entering the workforce.”
--Ji Hyun Lee, Office Politics Manager
Suggestions for Making it Work
Take the Risk
Expect Frustration
Expect Surprises
Encourage Mentoring
Cont’d
Encourage Collaboration
Be Open About the Differences
Clearly State Expectations
Stay Informed/Educate Yourself
Know Your Staff/Clients
Benefits
Enhanced Creativity
Creative Problem-Solving
Variety of Viewpoint Offers More Options
Better Understanding of Those you Serve & Educate
Better Understanding of Our New Social Mix
“My favorite kind movie is one that gets me so focused on it that I don’t even
look to see who’s texting me.”