Generational Communication

* 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

The Changing Workplace

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

Overview

* 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

Generations at Work

* Changing demographics

* Better understanding of it’s impact in the workplace

* Increase the personal competency in communication and management

* Promote teamwork

Why Learn About The Generations?

* 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

When Generations Fail To Communicate

* Traditionalists, Veterans Born Prior to 1946

* Baby Boomers Born 1946-1964

* Generation X, Gen-Xers Born 1965-1980

* Nexters/Millennials Born 1981-2002

Generations

* Great Depression

* New Deal

* WW II

* Korean War

* Atomic Bomb

Traditionalists Events & Experiences

Born Prior to 1946

* Grew up during wartime, shortages and sense of lack* Frugal* Hard Work* Dedication & Sacrifice* Honor / Respect for Rules* Duty before fun

TraditionalistsValues

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

* Civil Rights

* Space Travel

* Cold War

* Sexual Revolution

* Assassinations

Baby Boomers Events & Experiences

* Optimism* Team Orientation* Loyal* Workaholics* Like relationships in the workplace* Interested in health and wellness* Open minded

Baby Boomer Values

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,

* Fall of Berlin Wall* Women’s Liberation* Watergate* Latchkey Kids* Energy Crisis* Desert Storm

Generation X Events & Experiences

* Self Reliance/Autonomy

* Diversity

* Tech Savvy

* Fun & Informality

* Pragmatism

Generation X Values

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

* Oklahoma City

* School Shootings

* Technology

* Clinton/Lewinsky

* Conservative Values

* 9/11

Nexters/Millennials/Gen YEvents & Experiences

* Optimistic* Civic Duty* Political* Confident* Goal Setting is Priority* Respect for Diversity* Social

Nexter/Millennials/Gen YValues

* 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

Nexters/Millenials/Gen Y In Workplace

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

Traditional7%

Boomers41%

Gen X-ers30%

Millenial23%

Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation X Generation Y

Work Ethic and Values

Hard work

Respect authority

Sacrifice

Duty before fun

Adhere to rules

Workaholics

Work efficiently

Crusading causes

Personal fulfillment

Desire quality

Question authority

Eliminate the task

Self-reliance

Want structure and direction

Skeptical

What’s next

Multitasking

Tenacity

Entrepreneurial

Tolerant

Goal oriented

Work is….. An obligation An exciting adventure

A difficult challengeA contract

A means to an end

Fulfillment

Leadership style

DirectiveCommand-and-control

ConsensualCollegial

Everyone is the same Challenges others Asks why

*TBD

Interactive style

Individual Team playerLoves meetings

Entrepreneur Participative

Workplace Characteristics

Workplace Characteristics (Cont.)

Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation X Generation Y

Communications Formal

Memo

In person Direct

Immediate

E-mail

Voice mail

Feedback and Rewards

No news is good news

Satisfaction in a job well done

Don’t appreciate it

Money

Title recognition

Sorry to interrupt, but how am I doing?

Freedom is the best reward

Whenever I want it, at the push of a button

Meaningful work

Messages that Motivate

Your experience is respected

You are valued

You are needed

Do it your way

Forget the rules

You will work with other bright, creative people

Work and Family Life

Ne’er the twain shall meet

No balance

Work to live

Balance Balance

* 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 to use with Traditionalists

* 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 & communication strategies for communicating with Baby Boomers

* 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 Generation X

* 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”

Workplace and communication strategies for communicating with

Nexters/Millenials/Gen Y

* Be aware of the differences, embrace them

* Appreciate the strengths, draw on them

* Recognize the contributions and intricacies of all

Bridging The Gap

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.

Valuing Differences