A Successful
Multi-Generational
Work Environment
(From Backpacks to
Briefcases)
Megan Martin
Training/Development
Coordinator
University of Missouri Extension
The New Generation!
Stella Marie Bildner 12-02-2010
The Effect of Our Times
 The shared events and conditions each of
us experience during our impressionable
years help define the generation we grew
up in.
The Effect of Our Times
The generation we grow up in is just one
of the influences on adult behavior.
allow me to be stereotypical
Why Learn About The
Generations?
Changing demographics
Better understanding of colleague and
client relationships
Improve communication
Promote teamwork
Bottom line
Four Generations At Work
 Traditionalists (Matures): born 1922-1945
66 – 89 yrs old)
 Baby Boomers: born 1946-1964
47 – 65 yrs old
 Generation X: born 1965-1980
31 – 46 yrs old
 Millennials (Generation Y): born 1981-2001
10 – 30 yrs old
Four Generations At Work
 Traditionalists (Matures): born 1922-1945
 Baby Boomers: born 1946-1964
78 million
 Generation X: born 1965-1980
41 million
 Millennials (Generation Y): born 1981-2001
80 million
Generational Differences
What the older generation says about the
younger generation:
Young people want change.
Tastes and styles are different.
They don’t have much of a work ethic.
Generational Differences
What the younger generation says about the
older generation:
The older generation doesn’t respect that
things are different.
The older generation always says “When I
was your age . . .”
The older generation likes to lecture too
much.
Generational Differences
May, 1968
Shared Events
Think about the shared events for each
generation. Write down those events
on the work sheet.
Think of news headlines, politics,
entertainment, technology,
leadership, etc.
Events and Experiences
Traditionalists:
 Great Depression
 FRD – One President
 World War II
 Radio
 Korean War
Characteristics
Traditionalists:
 Hard workers
 Dedication & sacrifice
 Respect for rules/authority
 Duty before pleasure
 Honor, loyalty without
questioning
Events and Experiences
Boomers:
 Civil Rights
Movement
 Sexual Revolution/
Rock and Roll
 Cold War
 Space travel
 Assassinations
Characteristics
Boomers:
 Optimism, energetic
 Solved problems by
changing the rules
 Hierarchy at work
 Personal gratification
 Live to work – their
sense of identity
Events and Experiences
Xers:
 Watergate
 Women’s
Liberation/Latch Key
kids
 Energy Crisis
 Space Shuttle
Challenger explodes
 PCs and technology
Characteristics
Xers:
 Accept Diversity
 Techno literacy
 Fun and informality
 Self-reliant/independent
 Pragmatic/practical
 Good problem solvers
Events and Experiences
Millenials:
 Oklahoma City
bombing
 Columbine School
shootings
 9/11
 Child focused world
 Clinton / Lewinsky
 Technology Explosion
Characteristics
Millenials:
 Respect Diversity
 Techno embracing
 Confident/Sense of
entitlement
 Volunteering/civic
minded
 Live in the immediacy of
the moment
 Good problem solvers if
they are given choices
Values in the Workplace
Traditionalists:
Years of service, hard work, tradition, following rules,
loyalty, respect authority
Baby Boomers:
Training, working long hours, moving up based on
seniority, teams, involvement
Generation X:
Work smarter not longer, pro-active approach to their career,
need to see the reason for the task, value time off, give them
structure, they will provide you feedback
Millenials:
Hard workers but like to have fun, comfortable with mistakes,
work with the community, willing to take on projects, like
immediate and often feedback
Core Values
Traditionalists: respect for authority
Boomers: teams, involvement
Gen Xers: skepticism,
fun, informality
Millennials:
realism,
confidence,
extreme
fun, social
Colliding Issues
GenX supervising
Millenials
Very independent
Very dependent
Millenials
supervising
Not automatically respectful
Boomers
Workaholic
Xers & Millenials
Tech savvy
Boomers
Automatically respectful
supervising
supervising
Other issues?
Xers and Millenials
Work/Life Balance
Traditionalists and Boomer
Not so much tech savvy
A Successful Workplace
Environment
How did the workplace look when you
began your job at your youngest years,
compared with how it looks now?
Successful Work Place
Environment
What does a successful work
environment look like?
Successful Work Place
Environment
What does a successful work
environment look like?
• Optimistic and clear leadership
• Teamwork
• Engaged and contributing employees
• Work that challenges and fulfills
• Work that meets a need
• Clear expectations
• Happy/content employees
• Secure in budget/future
• Fun and fulfilling work relationships – co-workers and
supervisors
•Continuing Professional Development
Successful
Core
ValuesWork Place
Environment
Traditionalists: Respect for authority
Boomers: Teams, involvement
Gen Xers: skepticism,
fun, informality
Millennials:
realism,
confidence,
extreme
fun, social
Successful Work Place
Environment
Respect for authority
Teams, involvement
Skepticism, fun,
informality
Realism,
confidence,
extreme
fun, social
A Successful Workplace
Environment
What is changing
on the workplace
horizon?
A Successful Workplace
Environment
What is changing
on the workplace
horizon?
A Successful Workplace
Environment
What steps are
needed in order
to ensure we
have a
successful multigenerational
environment?
What Is Needed for Success in the
Multi-Generational Workplace?
Accept and embrace all generations—Leverage all
as a source of great potential (instead of a
cause for tension)
Change your way of thinking – respect old way/
embrace new way
Invest in the right technology
Develop engaging training
Create new roles
Thank You!
References
 Zemke, Ron; Raines, Claire and Flipczak, Bob.
Generations at Work: Managing the clash of Veterans,
Boomers, Xers, and Nexters in Your Workplace. New
York. AMACOM, 2000.
 Lancaster C., Lynne, Stillman, David. When
Generations Collide. Harper Collins, 2002
 Center for Generational Studies
 Office of Institutional Equity, Duke University
 Nemiro, Jill; Beyerlin, Michael; Bradley, Lori;
Generational Differences in Virtual Teams. Jossey-Bass
2008