Generational Communication
The Changing Workplace
* By 2006, 80 million aging baby boomers totaled one-third of the
nations population – in the next decade or so they will retire
* The growth rate of the US labor force declined from 2.5% per
year in 1965 to 0% in the 1990’s
* From 2010 to 2030, the portion of the U.S. population over age
65 will grow four times as much as it did in the last 80 years
* There will be a 30% shortfall of younger workers, a shortfall that
will persist for 40 years
Overview
 Identify four generations in the workplace, and define them by
experiences and events.
 Identify the values system of each generation and how those value
affect motivation and behavior in the workplace
 Develop an understanding of how different generations
communicate and how it affect relationships in the workplace.
 Determine how your approach may need to change when coaching,
managing and leading employees of different generations
 Appreciate and gain respect for what is important to each generation
Generations at Work
* The events and conditions each of us experience during our
formative years help define who we are and how we view the
world.
* The generation we grow up in is just one of the influences on
adult behavior: gender, race, religion will also influence our
behavior
* Caution : Not all generalizations apply – We are all individuals
Why Learn About The Generations?
* Changing demographics
* Better understanding of it’s impact in the workplace
* Increase the personal competency in communication and
management
* Promote teamwork
When Generations Fail To
Communicate
* May impact turnover rates
* May impact tangible costs (i.e. recruiting, hiring,
training, retention)
* May impact intangible costs (i.e. morale)
* May impact grievances and complaints
* May impact perceptions of fairness and equality
Generations
* Traditionalists, Veterans
Born Prior to 1946
* Baby Boomers
Born 1946-1964
* Generation X, Gen-Xers
Born 1965-1980
* Nexters/Millennials
Born 1981-2002
Traditionalists
Events & Experiences
Born Prior to 1946
* Great Depression
* New Deal
* WW II
* Korean War
* Atomic Bomb
Traditionalists
Values
*
*
*
*
*
*
Grew up during wartime, shortages and sense of lack
Frugal
Hard Work
Dedication & Sacrifice
Honor / Respect for Rules
Duty before fun
Other Traditionalists
* Conservative somewhat dressy clothing
* Neatly trimmed hair
* Memories of Marx Brothers, Sinatra, Big Bands, Big Cars
* TV included Ed Sullivan, Bonanza, Father Knows Best
* Heroes include FDR, Superman, Babe Ruth, Dimaggio,
Patton, MacArthur
* Memorabilia include Juke Boxes, Blondie, Lone Ranger,
Charlie McCarthy
Baby Boomers
Events & Experiences
* Civil Rights
* Space Travel
* Cold War
* Sexual Revolution
* Assassinations
Baby Boomer
Values
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Optimism
Team Orientation
Loyal
Workaholics
Like relationships in the workplace
Interested in health and wellness
Open minded
Other Baby Boomer
* May wear designer glasses, whatever is trendy
* Longer Hair
* Designer Suits
* Memories of Smothers Brothers, Beatles, Lassie, Drive
In, Mickey Mouse Club
* TV includes Laugh In, Westerns, Lassie, Mod Squad,
Carson, MASH, Sunday Night Disney
* Heroes include John and Jackie Kennedy, MLK, John
Glenn, John Lennon, Gandi
* Memorabilia includes fallout shelters, TV dinners, Hula
Hoops, Peace Sign, Poodle Skirts,
Generation X
Events & Experiences
*
*
*
*
*
*
Fall of Berlin Wall
Women’s Liberation
Watergate
Latchkey Kids
Energy Crisis
Desert Storm
Generation X
Values
* Self Reliance/Autonomy
* Diversity
* Tech Savvy
* Fun & Informality
* Pragmatism
Other Generational X’ers
* May wear functional clothing, have tattoos, any style
hair, naval or nose rings
* Memories of Tonya Harding, Snoop Doggy Dog,
Beavis & Butthead, Video Games
* TV includes SNL, Friends, 90210, Cosby,
* Heroes include Michael Jordan, Ron Reagan, Magic
Johnson
* Memorabilia include Brady Bunch, Pet Rocks,
Platform shoes, ET, The Simpsons, Sesame Street,
Cabbage Patch Dolls
Nexters/Millennials/Gen Y
Events & Experiences
* Oklahoma City
* School Shootings
* Technology
* Clinton/Lewinsky
* Conservative Values
* 9/11
Nexter/Millennials/Gen Y
Values
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Optimistic
Civic Duty
Political
Confident
Goal Setting is Priority
Respect for Diversity
Social
Nexters/Millenials/Gen Y In
Workplace
*
*
*
*
*
*
Fastest growing segment of the workforce
High expectations of self and employers
Looking for job security
Likely to change careers
Important to periodically update skills
Seeking employers that focus on development and
training
* Focus on work-life balance
* Changes management styles
Other Nexter/Millennials
* May wear Retro Clothing, Spiked , bleached or “in style” hair,
Body Piercing
* Cell phones, IPODs
* Memories of Goo-Goo Dolls, Trench coat Mafia, 9-11
* TV includes Dawson Creek, The WB, Malcom in the Middle,
Who wants to be a Millionaire, That 70’s Show
* Heroes include NYPD/NYFD, Parents, Mother Theresa, Bill
Gates, Mia Hamm, Tiger Woods
* Memorabilia include, Barney, Teenage Mutant Turtles,
American Girl Dolls, Spice Girls, X-Games, Oprah, Rosie
Generations in the Workforce
Traditional
6%
Millenial
23%
Boomers
41%
Gen X-ers
30%
Workplace Characteristics
Traditionalists
Work Ethic
and Values
Baby Boomers
Generation X
Hard work
Workaholics
Eliminate the task
What’s next
Respect authority
Work efficiently
Self-reliance
Multitasking
Sacrifice
Crusading causes
Tenacity
Duty before fun
Personal fulfillment
Want structure
and direction
Adhere to rules
Desire quality
Skeptical
Tolerant
Question authority
Work is…..
Generation Y
An obligation
An exciting
adventure
Entrepreneurial
Goal oriented
A difficult
challenge
A contract
A means to an
end
Fulfillment
Leadership
style
Directive
Command-andcontrol
Consensual
Collegial
Everyone is the
same
Challenges others
Asks why
*TBD
Interactive
style
Individual
Team player
Loves meetings
Entrepreneur
Participative
Workplace Characteristics (Cont.)
Traditionalists
Communications
Formal
Baby Boomers
Generation X
In person
Direct
E-mail
Immediate
Voice mail
Sorry to
interrupt, but
how am I
doing?
Whenever I want
it, at the push of a
button
Memo
Generation Y
No news is
good news
Don’t appreciate
it
Satisfaction in a
job well done
Money
Messages that
Motivate
Your experience
is respected
You are valued
Do it your way
You are needed
Forget the
rules
You will work with
other bright,
creative people
Work and Family
Life
Ne’er the twain
shall meet
No balance
Balance
Balance
Feedback and
Rewards
Title recognition
Work to live
Freedom is the
best reward
Meaningful work
Workplace & communication
strategies to use with Traditionalists
* Formal rather than informal
* Face to face, not text or email
* Honor the chain of command
* Offer them job security
* Traditional recognition; plaques, photos
Messages
* “Your experience is respected here”
* “Loyalty is valued and rewarded”
Workplace & communication
strategies for communicating with
Baby Boomers
*
*
*
*
*
State objectives and desired results of the team
Choose face-to-face conversations
Give them your full attention
Love pep talks
Recognition with wide public profile like a company
newsletter
Messages
* “You are valued”
* “Your contributions are important to our success”
Workplace and communication
strategies for communicating with
Generation X
* Get to the point
* Use e-mail
* Tell them what needs to be done, not how
* Give them multiple task, let them prioritize
* Lighten up
* Regular, honest feedback
* Informal recognition, such as a day off
Messages
* “Do it your way”
* “We are not very corporate here”
Workplace and communication
strategies for communicating with
Nexters/Millenials/Gen Y
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Provide continuous opportunity for learning and building skills
Know their goals, and show them how they fit in the big picture
Challenge them
Ask them their opinion
Find them a mentor
Be more of a coach, less boss
Communicate informally through email and hallway
conversations
* Messages
* “Your boss is in his/her sixties”
* “You and your co-workers can help turn this company around”
Bridging The Gap
* Be aware of the differences, embrace them
* Appreciate the strengths, draw on them
* Recognize the contributions and intricacies of
all
Valuing Differences
Information flows in all directions in a learning
organization. The most successful leaders find a
way to let every generation be heard. They
recognize that no one has all the answers. This
appreciation of diversity allows each group to
contribute and be a part of the growth of an
organization.