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
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