Four Generations at Work

Born Into Different Perspectives

1920s 1940s 1960s 1980s

Traditionalists

Baby Boomers

Generation X

Millennials

Landmark Events: Traditionalists

1932

The Depression

New Deal

1936 1942

World War II

1951

Korean War

Landmark Events: Baby Boomers

1950 1968

The Cold War

Assassinations

1956

Civil Rights

1964

The Beatles

Landmark Events: Generation X

1973 1975 1989 1992

Watergate

Women’s Lib

Berlin Wall Falls

Desert Storm

Landmark Events: Generation X

1973 1975 1989 1992

Watergate

Women’s Lib

Berin Wall Falls

Desert Storm

1985 1997 1999

Columbine

2001

September 11

Clinton / Lewinsky

Technology

Four Sets of Values

Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation X Millennials

Traditionalist Values

• Dedication and sacrifice• Duty before pleasure• Respect for rules• Hard work• Honor

Baby Boomer Values

• Personal gratification• Team orientation• Personal growth• Involvement• Optimism

Generation X Values

• Fun and informality• Techno literacy• Self-reliance• Pragmatism• Diversity

Apple®

Millennial Values

• Achievement-oriented• Respect for diversity• Confident• Optimistic• Civic duty

Impact of poor communications between generations

Increased:•Turnover

•Grievances • Morale issues•Costs of hiring, training, retention

Feedback Preferences“No news is good news.”

“Feedback once a year with lots of documenting.”

“Sorry to interrupt, but how am I doing?”

“Feedback whenever I want, at the push of a button.”

Traditionalists

Baby Boomers

Generation X

Millennials