Perceptions of the Baby Boomer, Generation X, and
Millennial Generations
Characteristic
Perception
Adaptability
All generations perceived their generation as adaptable. Generation
Xers and Millennials considered Baby Boomers as less adaptable than
themselves. Specifically, it was thought that Baby Boomers were less
comfortable with technology, resisted change, and were not accepting
of diversity.
Manageability
All generations felt Millennials were the most challenging to manage.
Baby Boomers and Generation Xers believed Millennials required
closer supervision, were less likely to follow procedures, and were less
results-driven than fellow workplace generations.
Teamwork
All generations considered themselves as good team players; however,
there were some differences in how each generation perceived the
work ethic of the others. Generation Xers and Millennials viewed their
generations as hard working, while some Baby Boomers and
Generation X members regarded the Millennials as less willing to
provide maximum effort in the workplace.
Balance
All generations reported they sought a work and life balance.
Generation Xers and Millennials perceived themselves more slightly
more likely to seek a work and life balance than their Baby Boomer
colleagues. Each generation also perceived Generation Xers and
Millennials to hold more of a preference for informality in the
workplace than the Baby Boomers.
Loyalty
All generations reported themselves to be somewhat trusting of the
organization, but Baby Boomers regarded the younger generations as
less trusting than them. Generation Xers and Millennials concurred
their generations were less likely to remain with an organization.
Note: Adapted from “Different generations, same objectives,” by D. Watt (2010), CA
Magazine, 142(2).
Generational Traits and Expectations of the Workplace
Generation
Traits
Expectations
Traditionalist
• Dedicated
• Hard working
• Conformist
• Respect for authority
• Duty before pleasure
• Security from the organization
• Promotion based on longevity
• Wait for instructions
Baby Boomers
• Optimistic
• Team oriented
• Involved in planning
• Seek personal growth
• Live to work
• Pursuit of goals
• Accepts but does not embrace
change
Generation X
• Values diversity
• Thinks globally
• Technologically literate
• Self-reliant
• Works to live
• Promotion based on ability
• Mobility
• Expects to provide input
Millennials
• Optimistic
• Confident
• “Street” smart
• Social
• Multitaskers
• Hard working
• Prefers structure
• Respects position
Note. Adapted from “Leveraging Generational Differences for Productivity Gains,” by N.
Patota, D. Schwartz, & T. Schwartz, (2007), Journal of United States Academy of
Business, 11(2), p.3.
Generational Perceptions on Workplace Situations
Traditionalists
Baby Boomers
Generation X
Millennials
Behavior
Follows the rules
Challenges rules
Changes rules
Creates rules
Training
Learns the hard
way
Preferred in
moderation
Required to keep
me
Continuous and
expected
Learning style
Classroom
Facilitated
Independent
Collaborative
Communication
Top-down
Guarded
Hub and spoke
Collaborative
Problem solving
Hierarchical
Horizontal
Independent
Collaborative
Decision making
Seeks approval
Team informed
Team included
Team decided
Leadership style
Command and
control
Unilateral
Coach
Partner
Feedback
No news is good
news
Annual review
Weekly, at a
minimum
On demand
Note. Adapted from “A Multigenerational Perspective on Employee Communication,” by P. Quinn,
2010, Risk Management, 57(1), p. 34.
Scoring Sheet
Add the numbers associated with the following letters:
A+H+K+N+S
=
Orange
C+F+J+O+R
=
Blue
B + G + I+ M + T
=
Gold
D+E+L+P+Q
=
Green
Your Personal Style
STYLE
BLUE
GREEN
GOLD
ORANGE
Core Need
self-actualization
competency
social belonging
freedom
Overall Mood
enthusiasm
cool, calm, collected
concerned
excitable
Trust
imagination
logic, consistency
authority
chance
Views Themselves
empathy
competence
dependability
impact
In Management
the catalyst
the visionary
the traditionalist
troubleshooter
Supports
growth
invention
institutions
recreation
Virtue
loyalty
strength
generosity
courage
Stressed by
feeling artificial
inadequate
rejection
restrictions
Seeks
love
insight
jurisdiction, control
freedom
At Work
harmonizing
pragmatic, efficient
procedural
varied
Esteemed by
helping people
finding insights
being of service
being resourceful
Appreciated for
unique contributions
ideas
accuracy
cleverness
Natural Intellect
with people
with strategy
with material
with senses
When Disturbed
becomes hysterical
becomes compulsive
becomes complaining
becomes punitive
Searching for
roles
problems
security
stimulation
Dislikes
hypocrisy
injustice
disobedience
ineptness
Thinks
dogmatically, narrow
agnostically, skeptic
pessimistically,
opportunistic
Loves
integrity, honesty
justice
obedience
grace, elegance
Causes of Guilt
letting someone down
lacking will power
greed
cowardice
Irritated by
being treated inept
illogical thinking
violating rules and
being told how to…
Rewarded by
acceptance
affirming their
wisdom
appreciating their
freedom
The Blending Process
You can “brighten” yourself by “adding color” to your environment or climate. Your primary
True Color is so bright and apparent, that there is a need to “fade a shade,” and draw up some of
your other colors to bring about a balance. By developing such an “ideal” environment the
result is a climate that supports everyone’s positive attitudes.
The following represents a sampling of responses from several thousand people when asked to
de- scribe and share their values, joys, strengths, needs and stresses. The responses came from
all genders, cultures and ethnicity.
BLUE
Values
Joys
Strengths
Needs
Stresses and
Frustrations
GREEN
GOLD
ORANGE
Honesty
Friendship
Sensitivity
Harmony
Compassion
Intellectual achievements
Logic
Knowledge
Competency
Loyalty
Dependability
Responsibility
Honesty
Perfection
Freedom
Fun/play
Spontaneity
Variety
Adventure
Romance
Family
Friendships
Music
Affection
Communication
Creativity
Nurturer
Sincere
Listening
High achievement
Recognition of ideas
Personal achievement
Meeting challenges
Confidence
Analysis/analytical
Logical
Problem-solver
Determined
Time for family
Job satisfaction
Home
Order
Sense of family
Organized
Commitment
Consistent
Responsible
Dependable
People
Fun
Adventure
Excitement
Performing
Independence
Flexible
Takes action
Energetic
Optimistic
Harmony
People
Understanding
Love
Affection
Disharmony
Uncaring
Time limits
Lack of romance
Challenge
Need to understand
Autonomy
Truth and facts
Accuracy
Rules
Unfairness or injustice
Incompetency
Nonsense rules
Stability
Consistency
Organization
Appreciation
Time
Lack of control
Change
Financial insecurity
Inconsistency
Freedom
Variety
Money
Expression
Being on time
Unnecessary routine
Waiting
Lack of money
Improving Personal Relationships
With A Bright Green By
• Recognizing their need for independence
• Valuing their abstract thinking, be aware of their curiosity
• Helping them with day-to-day details
• Preserving their privacy to think and to read
• Realizing their stress comes from the fear of appearing foolish • Allowing them to be self-critical
• Understanding that they esteem themselves by being competent • Praising with ingenuity, respect their inventions and ideas
With A Bright Gold By
• Recognizing their need for security
• Remembering to be on time
• Trying to be extra organized and efficient
• Returning things you borrow
• Doing what you say you will
• Praising their responsible actions
• Acknowledging their stability
• Responding to important dates
With A Bright Blue By
• Having one on one time, listen to them
• Recognizing their need to contribute
• Praising their imagination and creativity
• Reassuring them of your commitment to their success
• Sharing your thoughts and feelings
• Being open, responsive and supportive
• Being aware they wear their heart on their sleeve
With A Bright Orange By
• Recognizing their need for freedom
• Valuing their playfulness
• Helping them to think before they act
• Being spontaneous and fun, don’t slow them down
• Realizing their stress comes from lack of excitement
• Being adventuresome and optimistic
• Competing in fun
• Praising their skills
• Responding to their generosity
Improving Job Performance
Of A Bright Green By
• Assigning projects which require analytical thinking and problem-solving
• Discussing your “big picture” with them and by eliciting their universal outlook
• Inspiring them with futuristic ideas and potentialities
• Respecting their inclination to go beyond the established rules of the system
• Allowing them the freedom to improve the system
• Taking their ideas to the next step and encouraging them to think independently
• Praising their inventiveness and their ingenuity
• Understanding their need to avoid redundancy and repetitive tasks
With A Bright Gold By
• Assigning work which requires detailed planning and careful follow- through
• Defining the tasks in clear and concrete terms
• Being punctual and reliable
• Providing a well-structured, stable work environment and by avoiding abrupt changes
• Giving standard rules and regulation and setting a good example
• Praising their neatness, organizational capabilities and efficiency
• Giving regular and frequent feedback on any project to reassure them
• Recognizing their need to be straightforward, dependable, responsible, and business-minded
• Giving tangible recognition for their work
With A Bright Blue By
• Creating a warm and personal working atmosphere
• Interacting as much as possible with openness and honesty
• Establishing a harmonious working environment and avoiding conflict and hostility
• Showing your support, caring, and appreciation
• Allowing them the freedom to express feelings and the time to heal emotional wounds
• Making use of their natural gifts for communication, nurturing, and people-oriented ideas
• Praising their imaginative and creative approach to the job
• Providing them with one-on-one feedback
With A Bright Orange By
• Assigning projects which are action-packed and require a hands-on approach
• Providing opportunities to be skillful and adventurous
• Using their natural abilities as a negotiator
• Allowing them the freedom to do the job in their own style and in non-traditional ways
• Encouraging them to use their gifts of originality and flair
• Providing opportunities for job competition
• Allowing freedom of movement and understanding their preference for action over words
• Praising their performance and skillfulness while on the job