Appreciating the Generations
Karlea Brown - [email protected]
Each Generation is Unique!
It is important to:
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Understand Differences
Know Workplace Characteristics
Recognize Generational Strengths and Differences
Appreciate Generational Influences
Understanding Differences
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Currently, four generations are working side by side.
o Traditionalists
o Baby Boomers
o Gen X
o Gen Y / Millennials
o Gen Z (has not entered the workforce, yet.)
Traditionalists
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Born 1925-1945
Currently 70-90 years old
Influenced by :Roaring 20’s, Great Depression, WWI & WWII, Korean War
Baby Boomers
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Born 1946-1964
Currently 51-69 years old
Influenced by: TV, Vietnam, Human Rights Movement, Protests, Drugs & Rock ‘n Roll
Gen X
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Born 1965-1980
Currently 35-50 years old
Influenced by: Sesame Street, MTV, Personal Computers, A tripling divorce rate, Latch Key
Children
Gen Y / Millennials
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Born 1981- 2000
Approx. 15-34 years old
Influenced by: Expanded Technology, Natural Disasters, Gangs, Diversity, Violence, 9/11
Gen Z
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The Future…
Workplace Characteristics
For the first time in history, four generations are in the workforce together. Four generations have
existed in society together before, but never the workforce.
Traditionalists prefer face-to-face communications and are less inclined to show emotion- “Let’s have
conversation”
Whereas Baby Boomers are more comfortable with communicating on the phone- “Call me on my cell”
Gen X’ers are protective of their time and heavy users of email. Focusing even less on face-to-face
communication- “Send me an email”
Gen Y relies heavily on texting and other forms of electronic communication. They are less comfortable
with face-to-face communication- “Text/Facebook/Tweet me”
Traditionalists
Motivators: Being respected; Security
“Your experience is respected”
Feedback & Rewards: No news is good news; Satisfaction is a job well done; Subtle, private recognition
on an individual level.
Baby Boomers
Motivators: Being valued and needed; money
“You are valued”
“You are needed”
Feedback & Rewards: Feel rewarded by money; Material recognition: letters, certificates, awards; Enjoy
public recognition; Appreciate yearly feedback whether needed or not
Gen X
Motivators: Time off; Freedom and removal of rules
“Do it your way”
“Forget the rules”
Feedback & Rewards: Like to be rewarded with time off; not enamored with public recognition; prefer
regular feedback; more interested in benefits; need constructive feedback to be more effective
Gen Y
Motivators: Time off- maintaining a personal life; working with other bright people
“You will work with other bright, creative people”
Feedback & Rewards: Like to be given feedback often and they will ask for it; be clear about goals and
expectations; Appreciate supervision and structure; Want recognition for their heroes; bosses,
grandparents, etc.
Work and Family Life
Traditionalists work hard to maintain job security.
Baby Boomers are hesitant in taking too much time off for fear of losing their place on the team.
Resulting in an imbalance between work and family.
Gen X having Baby Boomers for parents focus more on a balance between work and family; they worry
less about taking time off.
Gen Y manages to balance work, family, community involvements, and self-development. They often
flex time or participate in job sharing, and leaves of absence will be requested more by this generation.
To them technology is/was…
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Social Mediao Gen Y has been heavily influenced by all sorts of social media; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,
My Space, and many others.
o Other generations are slowly adapting to the changes and learning how to utilize these
platforms.
Cell Phones
o Gen X was originally introduced to cell phones and handheld devices.
o Gen Y sees cell phones as a must-have for communication, organization, and entertainment.
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