FROM ONE GENERATION
TO ANOTHER:
MENTORING GEN XERS
AND MILLENNIALS
Rev. Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi, Ph.D.
CHHSM Annual Meeting – February 28, 2014
Overview
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Review of Generation X and Millennial personalities
and work traits
Similarities and differences between the generations
Leading and mentoring Generation X
Leading and mentoring Millennials
The Generation X Personality
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Self-reliant
Wants balance
Has a nontraditional orientation about
time and space
Likes informality
Pragmatic
Approach to authority is casual
Cynical
Continues to be technologically savvy
Attracted to the edge
Generation X at Work
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Assets
Adaptability
Technoliteracy
Independence
Creativity
Willingness to
buck the system
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Liabilities
Skeptical
Impatient
Distrustful of
authority
Inept at office
politics
Less attracted to
leadership
The Millennial Personality
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Resiliently optimistic
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Diverse
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Digital native
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Confident
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Collaborative
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Goal and achievement oriented
Millennials at Work
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Assets
 Liabilities
Collective action
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Need for
supervision and
Optimism
structure
Tenacity
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Demand for
Heroic spirit
constant feedback
Multitasking
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Helicopter parents
capabilities
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Family events trump
Technological savvy
work
Adept at change
Similarities between Gen Xers and Millennials
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Technologically savvy
Loyal to people but not to organizations
Turned off by leaders who place monetary-driven
(greed-driven) personal, company, and shareholder
agendas before the good of humanity
Appreciate constructive feedback on performance
Source: Walsh, Gwen, “Baby Boomers: Relating to X’s and Y’s,” Tech Edge LLC, http://techedgellc.com/the-gen-xersmillennials-tidal-wave-is-upon-us-how-are-you-tackling-the-great-divide/#sthash.ZUhOCwdN.dpuf
Differences between Gen Xers and Millennials
Millennials
Gen X
 Millennials expect to
 Don’t see the point of
work more than 40 hours working beyond the
a week to achieve the
standard number of
lifestyle they want
hours
 Prefer collaboration and  Prefer to work
working in teams
independently
 Appreciate frequent
 Appreciate freedom
engagement
Source: Zemke, et. al. Generations at Work.
Generation X and Baby Boomers
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Irritated that Baby Boomers are blocking their way
to advancement
Some Baby Boomers in key leadership positions are
behaving as “lame ducks” (to put it bluntly)
Source: Walsh, Gwen, “Baby Boomers: Relating to X’s and Y’s,” Tech Edge LLC, http://techedgellc.com/the-gen-xersmillennials-tidal-wave-is-upon-us-how-are-you-tackling-the-great-divide/#sthash.ZUhOCwdN.dpuf
Leading / Motivating / Mentoring:
Gen X
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Encourage self-directed learning
Offer nongroup-meeting formats
In presenting information to Gen Xers, get
right to the material and demonstrate
expertise
Give time and space to pursue their own
projects and ideas
Offer access to good technology (rather than
a bigger office)
Make them feel like insiders
Pitch office politics as a way to get around
rules
Provide coaching that gives them responsibility
for their own work issues
Source: Zemke, et. al. Generations at Work.
Leading / Motivating / Mentoring:
Gen X
Messages that Motivate
 I don’t care how you get it done.
 I’m not going to micromanage you.
 Our team has a good sense of humor.
Source: Zemke, et. al. Generations at Work.
Discussion
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In what ways are your experiences with Gen
Xers similar or different than what you’ve
heard today?
What are some best practices you’ve
developed in working with Gen Xers?
Millennials and Baby Boomers
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Issues with effectively engaging Millennials in
key areas:
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Connecting on a human-to-human basis
Understanding what motivates Millennials
Providing 1×1 value-add, real-time mentoring,
coaching and feedback
Working with Millennials to create career paths
Communicating with Millennials using engaging
technologies
Supporting Millennials’ work/life balance needs
Creating sustainable virtual teams (which, by
the way, save organizations huge quantifiable
dollars plus increase productivity if thoughtfully
planned and implemented)
Source: Walsh, Gwen, “Baby Boomers: Relating to X’s and Y’s,” Tech Edge LLC, http://techedgellc.com/the-gen-xersmillennials-tidal-wave-is-upon-us-how-are-you-tackling-the-great-divide/#sthash.ZUhOCwdN.dpuf
Leading / Motivating / Mentoring:
Millennials
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Help us learn.
Believe in us.
Tune in to our technology.
Connect us.
Let us make it our own.
Tell us how we’re doing.
Be approachable.
Plug in to our parents.
Be someone we can believe in.
Source: Zemke, et. al. Generations at Work.
Source: Jeanne C. Meister and Karie Willyerd,
“Mentoring Millennials.” Harvard Business Review, May
2010, http://hbr.org/2010/05/mentoringmillennials/ar/1
Leading / Motivating / Mentoring:
Millennials
Messages that Motivate
 You can make a difference here.
 You will have a clear career path so you can keep moving
ahead.
 You will work on a team with other bright, creative people.
 You can be a hero here.
Source: Zemke, et. al. Generations at Work.
Discussion
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In what ways are your experiences with
Millennials similar or different than what
you’ve heard today?
What are some best practices you’ve
developed in working with Millennials?
Questions?
Contact: Rev. Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi, Ph.D.
Director
Center for Analytics, Research and Data
(CARD)
United Church of Christ
hajbik@ucc.org
1-866-822-8224 x3866