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

•Email

•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)