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Surviving and Thriving in a Multi-Generational Workforce
1. Gain an understanding of different generations in the workforce and what makes each important on your team
2. Identify effective strategies for working in multigenerational workplaces and teams
3. Learn what Millennials are looking for and how to mentor them appropriately
Our Goals for Today
1st time in US History!
Veterans: Over 68 years old
• Important events included: – The Great Depression– WWII – Disney releases it’s first animated feature (Snow
White)– The Korean War– Sputnik went into Orbit
You might be a veteran if…• You have the ability to entertain yourself without
a TV, in fact you remember the days before TV
• Popular Technology: Radio
Baby Boomers: 48-67 years old• Important events included: – Man walks on the Moon– Civil Rights– Woodstock– Deaths of JFK and Martin Luther King– Vietnam War begins
You might be a Boomer if you can complete these sentences…
• When the Beatles first came to the U.S. in early 1964, we all watched them on the ______show
• "Get your kicks, ________________”
• Popular Technology: Television
Generation X: 33-47 years old
• Important events: – The Cold War (remember getting under your desk?)– Challenger Shuttle Explodes on Takeoff– Berlin Wall Dismantled– Fall of Communism in Eastern Europe– U.S. Troops go to Persian Gulf for the 1st time– AIDS Identified
You might be a Gen Xer if…• Schoolhouse Rock played a HUGE part in how you actually
learned the English language. – I know what a Bill (sittin’ up on Capital Hill) is thanks to that show!!
Popular Technology: Computers
Millennials: 12-32 years old
• Important Events: – Death of Princess Diana– Death of Mother Teresa– Columbine– 9/11– World Center Attacks– War begins in Iraq for a 2nd time
You might be a Millennial if…• Blog, Myspace/Facebook, IM, text messaging, and
other social media are a regular part of your daily life
• Popular Technology: The internet, cell phones
Generational Activities
• Form generational groups
• Brainstorm 5 positive and 5 negative characteristics of other generations (Veterans, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials) Write them on the note cards
• Create a list of what you don’t understand about other generations approach to work.– Bring cards to front when finished
• Within your group, do the characteristics written accurately describe you?– Choose a spokesperson to explain your answer
What Make’s Millennials Different?
94% of Millennials state they respect older generations
Mentoring Millennials
Mentoring Program
Purpose
Value
Mentors/Advisors
Design
Method
Baby Boomer Run
Career Advancement
Mentee/learner gains understanding and skills
People with higher status and knowledge
One-to-one mentoring: Long-term relationships
Face-to-face
Millennial-Run
Primary Learning
Rapid dissemination of knowledge
Anyone with knowledge the learner needs
Networked relationships: Time determined by needs
Virtual
Know What Millennials think of Mentoring!
Mentoring
Matters!
98% of Millennials believe working with a mentor is a necessary component in development.
PowerhouseCoopers Global CEO Survey cited in “If You Want to Retain Your Best Young Workers, Give Them a Mentor Instead of Cash Bonuses”
by Vivian Giang, July 2011
Is the workplace really that different compared
to 20 years ago?
According to a survey by Lee Hecht Harrison, 60% of employers are experiencing intergenerational
tensions at work.
*Source: Generation Y: They’ve Arrived at Work with a New Attitude, 2005
Sound Familiar?
• Looking for meaningful work• Seeking challenge• Chance to prove themselves and show they can
perform well• Enjoys contact with people• Desire to be in a position of responsibility• Resents being looked at as though they have no
experience• Tends to be more job mobile• Less respectful of authority
Who does this describe?
Training and Development Journal
November 1970Sorry Boomers, the other generations in the workforce
didn’t like you when you started working!
Every generation that enters the workforce makes waves!
Every generation that enters the workforce makes waves!
Workplace Values
Veterans Boomers Gen Xers Millennials
Career Goals
Build a legacy Build a stellar career
Build a portable career
Build parallel careers
Rewards Satisfaction of a job well done
Money, title, recognition, corner office
Freedom is the ultimate reward
Work that has meaning for me
Work-Life Balance
Support me in shifting the balance
Help me balance everyone else and
find meaning myself
Give me balance now! Not when
I’m 65
Work isn’t everything. Need
flexibility to balance my other
activities
Job Changing
Carries a stigma Puts you behind Is necessary Is part of the daily routine
Training I learned the hard way, you can too!
Train ‘em too much and they’ll
leave
The more they learn, the more
they’ll stay
Continuous learning is a way
of life
Source: When Generations Collide
Managing Different Generations
Veterans
Assets: Experience, enhanced knowledge, dedication, focus, loyalty, stability, emotional maturity, perseverance
Possible issues: Reluctant to buck the system, uncomfortable with conflict, may want to keep things the way they are
Messages that Motivate: “Your experience is respected here”
Rewards: Tangible symbols of loyalty, commitment, and service including plaques and certificates
Methods of Communication: Memos, letters and personal notes
Baby Boomers
Assets: Service orientation, dedication, team perspective, experience, knowledge
Possible issues: May put process ahead of results
Messages that Motivate: “We need you”, “ Your opinion is valued”
Rewards: personal appreciation, promotion, and recognition
Methods of Communication: phone calls, personal interaction
Generation X
Assets: Adaptability, techno-literacy, independence, creativity, willingness to buck the system
Possible issues: Skeptical, may distrust authority
Messages that Motivate: “Do it your way”, “there aren’t a lot of rules around here”
Rewards: Free time, opportunities for development, certifications to add to their resumes
Methods of Communication: Voice mail, email
Millennials
Assets: Collective action, optimism, ability to multi-task, and technologically savvy
Possible issues: Need for supervision and structure, inexperience-particularly when dealing with difficult people
Messages that Motivate: “Your work makes a huge difference here”
Rewards: Awards, certificates, tangible evidence of credibility
Methods of Communication: texting, instant messaging,
How Can You Help Different Generations Work Together
Effectively?
FOCUS: on the similarities of the four generations.
We all want to be successful in our careers.
We all have hopes and dreams.
UNDERSTAND: the differences between the way the generations
approach work.• OPTIMIZE: the strengths of each group:
Traditionalists are loyal employees.
Boomers are highly optimistic.
X-ers value independence and flexibility.
Millennials value teamwork and personal connection.
REALIZE: the possible weaknesses of each generation.
Younger workers may not see the potential hazards and pitfalls of business. They don’t
have the knowledge of what has worked in the past and what has been a total failure.
Older workers may be too focused on the way things have “always been done” and thus be resistant to accepting new procedures and
new technologies.
If you remember nothing else, remember this…
Jennifer [email protected]
Download this presentation from:Twitter: Jenfisherfw
www.jenthreepointzero.com
Thank You!!!
