working with other generations...baby boomers motivation “you are valued, worthy and needed”...

1

Working With Other Generations – Ohio LTAP 2020

1

Working With Other Generations

Ohio Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)

Ohio Department of Transportation

LTAP Class – 2020

Why Are These Topics Important?

Because generational differences can impact:

Work habits/values

Communication styles

Motivational factors

2


Multi-Generational Workforce

3

Since the mid-2000s, we’ve had up to four generations working side by side . . .

Multi-Generational Workforce

4

. . . who are very different in the way they grew up communicating.

3


The Generations – Born Between …

Traditionalistsa.k.a. The Silent Generation

Baby Boomers (post WW II)

Generation X

Millennialsa.k.a. Generation Y

Generation Za.k.a. Post-Millennials

1925 – 1945

1946 – 1964

1965 – 1981

1982 – 1999

2000 – ?

Millennials in the Workplace

4


We are encountering generational diversity in the

workplace.

Each generation tends to be shaped or influenced

by its environment and experiences

May have different meanings for the word “employment”

May have different communication styles

It is important to narrow any generation gaps in

order to work well with others:

Co-workers

Customers

Why Are These

Topics Important?

Question:

What does the term “Generation Gap” mean?

5


Definition of Generation

Group defined by common values, attitudes

and ambitions.

Group “programmed” at the same time by

shared experiences.

Group whose beliefs, preferences and and

work ethic have been influenced by the same

historical, social and economic realities.

Emotional Intelligence (‘EQ’) and

Communication Skills

6


Why Are These Topics Important?

Two Components . . .

Generational Trends, attitudes or experiences that tend to be

specific to Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X or Millennials

Example: familiar technologies for each.

Life-Stage Age-related issues that are common for many people,

regardless of their specific generational affiliation.

Example: typical changes in vision as we age.

7


Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity

Requirements …

Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity

Requirements …

As we grow older, our

eyes increasingly need

more light in order to see.

By the age of 45, the average person needs

4 times as much light to see at night than

someone at age 19.Source: ATSSA

8


Toolbox ConceptKnowledge, Skills and Abilities

Learning StylesVisual –Auditory - Kinesthetic

9


Additional Considerations …

We’re not defined solely by our

generational background/experiences

These factors represent just one

possible “piece of the puzzle”

Can be helpful to better understand

ourselves and others

Each of us is a unique individual

Lesson One

The “Who, What

& Why” for Each

Generation

10


Exercise #1

Scenario A:

“City of Otherville”

Robin (b. 1962)

Chris (b. 1990)

Scenario B:

“ABC-CBA, Inc.”

Gene (b. 1944)

Claire (b. 1978)

Q1: Which generations are represented by these employees?

Q2: What types of inter-generational conflict(s) appear to be indicated?

Exercise #1 Discussion

Scenario A:

“City of Otherville”

Robin

(Baby Boomer)

Chris

(Millennial)

Scenario B:

“ABC-CBA, Inc.”

Gene

(Traditionalist)

Claire

(Generation X)

11


Exercise #2

“What were some of the historical and cultural

factors that influenced people during the …”

1930 & 40s, 50s, 60s,

70s, 80s, 90s & 2000s

Write down for the decades assigned to you:

Historical Events, Famous People, Movies, TV

Shows, Music, Influences (U.S. / Global)

Generations in the News

January 16, 2015

This year, the “Millennial” generation is projected to surpass the outsized Baby Boom generation

as the nation’s largest living generation, according to the population projections

released by the U.S. Census Bureau . . .

12


The Generations – Born Between …

Traditionalistsa.k.a. The Silent Generation

Baby Boomers (post WW II)

Generation X

Millennialsa.k.a. Generation Y

Generation Za.k.a. Post-Millennials

1925 – 1945

1946 – 1964

1965 – 1981

1982 – 1999

2000 – ?

13


Q: What Were the Previous Generations?

The Greatest Generation

Born between 1901 - 1924

The Lost Generation

Born between 1883 - 1900

Traditionalists (b. 1925-45)

Trends That Shaped

The Great Depression

The rise of Adolph Hitler

Attack on Pearl Harbor

Atomic bombs

The New Deal

The Korean Conflict

14


Traditionalists

Characteristics

Older in age, but more knowledge

Dedicated/loyal

Respectful of rules

Frugal

Polite

Reserved

Usually won’t speak their minds, question

instructions or abuse privileges

Traditionalists

Work Ethic

Conformers – work is an obligation

Hard working, stable, loyal

Avoids conflict

Dislikes change

Enjoys one-on-one communication

Technology is cold and impersonal, confusing

Feels “no news is good news”

15


Traditionalists

Leadership Style

Command and control

Military oriented

Hierarchical

Dictatorial and rigid

Traditionalists

Motivation

Respect for their experience

Perseverance is valued and rewarded

Personal satisfaction for a job well done

Promotions; working your way up the ladder

16


Baby Boomers (b. 1946-64)

Trends That Shaped

Civil Rights Act

Martin Luther King Jr. march

John F. Kennedy assassination

Vietnam War

Moon landing

Woodstock

Watergate

Baby Boomers

Characteristics

Optimism and involvement

Respect for power and accomplishment

Team orientation

Personal development and self-gratification

Equality

Serious about work; serious about play

‘We can change the world’

17


Baby Boomers

Work Ethic

Competitors – success through hard work

Driven

Workaholic

Work is a source of personal identity

Rewarded with “tangibles”

Live to work – career first

Must develop technological skills before they

can progress

Baby Boomers

Leadership Style

Consensus-building approaches

Passionate

People oriented

18


Baby Boomers

Motivation

“You are valued, worthy and needed”

“I approve of you”

Enjoy and need human interaction

Generation X (b. 1965-81)

Trends That Shaped

Challenger explosion

Fall of the Berlin Wall

Working mothers – 2 incomes

Cable TV; MTV

Video games: Atari, PacMan, Pong,

Asteroids, Space Invaders

“Star Wars” (Movies + SDI)

Personal computers and e-mail

Electronic babysitters

Corporate downsizing

19


Generation X

Characteristics

Independent and resourceful

Accepting of change

Comfortable with diversity

Expect a balanced lifestyle

Dedicated to people, ideas, and tasks

Self reliant and individual

Generation X

Work Ethic

Not looking for longevity or lifetime employment

“I want it now” attitude

Technologically literate – immediate

Flexibility – work whenever, just get it done

Want to be developed, engaged, and appreciated

Looking for fun

Little regard for rank/authority, big regard for

shared knowledge

Challenger

20


Generation X

Leadership Style

Limit bureaucracy

Brutally honest

Frequent feedback

Change direction quickly

Generation X

Motivation

Cutting edge technology

Continuing education and development

Freedom to use their own resourceful-

ness and creativity to achieve success

Avoid micro-managing

21


Millennials (b. 1982-2003)

Trends That Shaped

Internet & Social Media: YouTube,

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Columbine

Oklahoma City bombing

September 11

Global warming debate

Hurricane Katrina

Video games: Nintendo, Xbox, PlayStation

iPod, iTunes, iPhone

Millennials –

Characteristics

E-learners

Used to instant communication; impatient

Optimistic, confident in self

Sense of civic responsibility

Achiever

Family centered

Concerned for environment

Most educated, most diverse, most tolerant

Want balance of family, hobbies and work

22


Millennials –

Work Ethic

Technocrats

Work is a way to fill time between weekends

Not likely to seek out additional

responsibilities

Difficulty understanding and accepting rules

and protocols

“I’ll do the job you hired me to do, that’s all”

Goal/achievement oriented

Need mentorship

Millennials –

Leadership Style

Honesty

Integrity

Team oriented

Collaborative

23


Millennials –

Motivation

Grow and develop through education

Life is about abundance

Exposed to more, accomplish more

Expect to be given more

“Be all that you can be”

Cram as much as you can into life

Lesson Two

Understanding

the Generations

24


Understanding the Generations

Common generational stereotypes

Potential assets & liabilities

The value of a having a

multi-generational team/workforce

Commonalities for

ALL Generations

Everyone is comfort seeking

Most people resist change, but don’t like

status quo either

Everyone wants information, to be kept

“in the loop”

Everyone likes some level of control

25


From the Industrial Age

to the Information Age

Can Older Employees Learn New

Technologies?

26


Can Older Employees Learn New

Technologies?

Yes – but might need additional time to do so.

Potential challenges include:

“Unlearning” previously learned methods

Uncertainty as to whether the new

technology is really worth learning (“I’ve done

just fine in my life so far without this . . . ”)

Keeping up with the rapid pace of updates

Possible changes in vision, hearing,

short-term memory, etc. as we age

27


Lesson Three

Generational

Differences in Key

Workplace

Dimensions

Potential “Clash” Points

Agency loyalty

From organizational to individual

Chain of command

From rigid to freedom

Work ethic

From standard work hours to flexible

Feedback and mentoring

Differences in communication styles

28


Generations & Preferred

Communication Styles

Which generation is typically association

with each of the following communication

methods?

Email

Memorandum; chain of command

Social media

Face-to-face meeting

Minimizing Friction

Know who you’re working with

Create a climate for and of RESPECT

Communicate openly and honestly

29


To Maximize the Strengths of

Each Generation…. Traditionalists

Respect and acknowledge their expertise

Follow the chain of command

Baby Boomers

Offer praise and recognition

Conduct face-to-face interaction

Generation X

Resist micro-managing

Balance of face-to-face & technology communication

Millennials

Ask their opinion

Offer challenges

Workplace Differences Reminders

Don’t label or stereotype

How do you want to be perceived by others?

Focus on job performance

Praise in public, punish in private

Send this message:

We are good for each other,

Let’s challenge each other,

Let’s communicate with each other!

30


Looking to the Future . . .

31


The Millennial Generation: Common Traits

Millennials in

the Workplace

32


Additional Perspectives . . .

Mentoring & Reverse Mentoring

33


Summary & Resources

Summary & Resources

34


Every person I meet

can teach me something

that I did not know.

Final Comments . . .

Questions . . .

Thank You!

working with other generations...baby boomers motivation “you are valued, worthy and needed”...

Documents