Generationally Savvy:
Bridging the Generation Gap
Maryland State Department of
Education
College and Career Ready Conference
2015
Outcomes
• To assist participants to understand, support
and work with colleagues, parents and
students of all generations.
• To understand the mind-sets of different
generations and how each group see the
world based on its experience
Surgeon General’s Warning
• If this information is used to
pigeonhole people, it becomes
a dangerous weapon.
• When we ask ourselves,
“How can I be more effective?”
it is a valuable tool.
I grew up with that…
• Listen or view the items in the “I grew up with
that” activity.
• Identify the items you grew up with by standing
up.
• Be careful to only identify the items you grew up
with as a child (under 15-years-old), and not just
items you are familiar with from other life
experiences.
Generation Sorting Activity
Born before 1944
•
•
•
•
Loyal and hardworking
Respect authority
Appreciate formality
Prefer basic, sober
communication
• Have a great amount of
knowledge and
experience
• Used to delaying rewards
• Offer stability
Traditionalists
1945-1960/63
• Excel at teamwork
• Love meetings and
collective decision
making
• Invented the 70 hour
work week
• Desire to stand out in
the crowd
1964-1980/82
• Expect a lot, demand a
lot
• Appreciate constructive
feedback
• Work well alone
• Dislike meetings
• Want work/life balance,
dislike long hours
• Technologically savvy
Generation X
1980/82-2000
• High/over Achievers
• Best educated
generation
• Try hard
• Eager to learn
• Confident and assertive
• Able to multi-task
• Accustomed to praise
and structure
Millenials
Apply your generational knowledge…
• In your assigned generational groups, review
the scenarios on the handout provided.
• Consider what you have learned about your
generation and write down how you would
approach the scenario as a school/district
leader.
• Discuss your generational perspectives on the
scenarios as a whole group.
Now What?
• What are your personal take-aways and
commitments?