Post on 19-Jul-2020
Talking 'Bout My Generation:
Understanding a
Multi-Generational Workforce
WASHRM
September 24, 2014
Presented by:
Judy Whipp Mills, MBA
Adjunct Trainer, Workforce Solutions
•What are the 4 generations?
•Why should we recruit the 4 generations?
•How can we best train each generation?
•How can we best communicate across the
generations?
•Q&A
Objectives
•Knowing what era
people grew up in helps
predict their general
attitudes, characteristics,
and values
•Aids in managing and
retaining employees of
all ages
Why Bother?
•Traditionalists/Veterans
(before 1945)
•Baby Boomers (1946 – 1964)
•Generation X (1965 – 1980)
•Generation Y/Millennials
(1980 – 1994)
The Four Generations
Traditionalists’ Attributes & Values
Highly dedicated Detail-oriented
Hard working Willing to make sacrifices
Respect authority Like to follow a process
Like structure Stay for the long-haul
Duty before pleasure Conformity
Law and order Adherence to rules
Waste not, want not
Baby Boomers’ Attributes & Values
Love/hate authority Work hard and long hours
Results-driven Cynical, but loyal
Self-focused Want immediate gratification
Good team players Willing to go the extra mile
Service oriented Want respect
Competitive Like consensus
I am what I do attitude
Gen Xers’ Attributes & Values
Independent/self-reliant Want to have fun
Training/learning focused Technologically savvy
Like informality Learn quickly
Seek work/life balance Embrace diversity
Think globally Cynical
Question authority Clever
Give respect when earned Resourceful
Millennials’ Attributes & Values Self-confident Technologically savvy
Like informality Learn quickly
Need supervision Want meaningful work
Open to feedback Like working on a team
Outspoken Expect constant learning
Live in the moment Value serving community
Hopeful, idealistic Determined
Open-minded Well-educated
Multi-taskers Instant gratification
Loyal to individuals, not organizations
• Born 1995 & after
• Ages 19 & younger
• Aka Generation “I”,
Generation Alpha
• Learned how to navigate
the Internet as toddlers
• Stay tuned… more to
come in a few years!
Generation Z
Why Recruit Traditionalists?
Traditionalists: Fact or Fiction?
Facts:
• They have fewer on-the-job
accidents than other
generations
• They are willing students when training is done right
• The US Dept. of Health
reports they are just as
productive as younger generations
• They prefer to be working, at least part time
Myths:
• They have more
accidents and get sick
more often
• They can’t learn technology
• They are not as
productive as younger employees
• They don’t want to work
Why Recruit Baby Boomers?
Baby Boomers: Fact or Fiction?
Facts:
•Their life expectancy is near 80
•The National Center for
Education reports that
enrollment by Boomers in
education programs is up
significantly.
•They have the largest debt of
any generation. A “comfortable
retirement” is a distant dream.
Myths:
• They are on their way
out
• They have quit learning
• They have always had it
easy
Why Recruit Gen Xers?
Gen X: Fact or Fiction?
Facts:
• Many are struggling to make ends
meet. This is the first US generation
whose lifestyle won’t be better than
their parents’.
• Many are in their 30’s with
established careers and families.
They are committed to having a life
beyond work.
• They are concerned about
healthcare, but more concerned
about the impact aging Boomers
will have on future costs.
Myths:
• They are
materialistic
• They are “slackers”
who are not willing
to work hard
• They want all the
benefits they can
get from their
employers
Why Recruit Millennials?
Millennials: Fact or Fiction?
Myths:
• They are “going to hell
in a hand basket.”
• They are getting a
great education.
• They don’t respect their
elders.
Facts:
• They will make heroes of
themselves.
• Some will advance into the
information age, but others will
fall behind for lack of basic
reading or math skills.
• They prefer to be mentored by
the wisdom of seasoned
Traditionalists & Boomers.
GENERATIONS’ ASSETS AT WORK
TRADITIONALISTS:
•Detail-oriented
•Loyal
•Hard-working
•Stable/dependent
•Experienced
BABY BOOMERS:
•Competitive/driven
•Willing to go extra mile
•Good team players
•Consensus-builders
GEN XERS:
•Techno-savvy
•Independent
•Adaptable
•Unintimidated by authority
•Entreprenurial spirit
MILLENNIALS:
•Techno-savvy
•Great at multitasking
•Heroic spirit
•Team players
How Can We Best Train
Each Generation?
TRADITIONALISTS’ LEARNING STYLE
Prefer traditional
classroom
Formal learners
Lectures &
Presentations
Don’t rush
"What do they mean our training program is
outdated? We all went through it!"
BOOMERS’ LEARNING STYLE
Prefer printed
resources
Passive learners
Seminars &
Workshops
Training is a perk
GEN XERS’ LEARNING STYLE
Prefer online
resources
Like self-directed
learning
Active seekers of
information
Lively, printed
materials
MILLENNIALS’ LEARNING STYLE
Conditioned over early
learning years to expect
multimedia and
interactive methods
Processes info selectively
Teamwork
How Can We Best
Communicate Across
the Generations?
•Inclusive language (“we”, “us”)
•One-on-one meetings or written
•Focus on words
•Use more formal language
•Don’t waste their time
•Don’t expect them to share their
innermost thoughts immediately
Communicating with Traditionalists
•Body language
•Speak in an open, direct style
•Answer questions thoroughly
•Avoid controlling/manipulative language
•Present options
•Face-to-face, team meetings or
electronic communication
Communicating with Boomers
•Open and constant communication
•Short sound bites
•Efficient and direct language
•Ask them for feedback
•Share information immediately & often
•Use an informal communication style
•Listen! You might just learn something.
Communicating with Gen Xers
•Action words
•Don’t talk down to them -- show respect
•Technology (email, IM, text, podcasts, blogs, etc)
•Visuals
•Humor
•Constantly seek their feedback
•Encourage them to break the rules & explore
•Allow for networking opportunities
Communicating with Millennials
1. Avoid bad grammar, racist or sexist
language, & profanity
2. Listen for value in “experience stories” – avoid
dismissing them as being out of date
3. Practice listening – ask questions to clarify
intent
4. Respect alternative viewpoints – even when
you disagree
5. Talk to your employer – understand their
concerns and goals
10 Tips for Cross Generational
Communication
6. Be technology-minded – and open-minded to
more changes
7. Let managers get to know you – it enhances
workplace rapport
8. Avoid judging a generation on a few people
9. Manage people, not age groups – focus on
personal strengths of employees
10. Communicate, communicate, communicate –
don’t stop talking and don’t stop listening
10 Tips for Cross Generational
Communication
The WORK is What Unites Us
• Traditionalists are motivated by it,
when it’s satisfying
• Boomers derive their
identity/respect from it
• Gen Xers find security in amassing
skills from it
• Millennials want to make a
difference through it
THANK YOU!!
“Each generation imagines itself to be more
intelligent than the one that went before it and
wiser than the one that comes after it.”
- George Orwell
(English novelist, journalist & critic)