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Inter-generational Communication
And how it applies to you
Presented By: Emily EmbryOconee County Public Library
Inter-generational communication"at no time in our history have so many and such different generations with such diversity been asked to work together, shoulder to shoulder, side by side, cubicle to cubicle." (Zemke, Raines,and Filipczak, 2013)
Traditionalists (before 1943)
The Babyboomers (1943 -1960)
Generation X (1960 – 1980)
Millenials (1980 – 1995)
Linksters (1995 – present)
Inter-generational communicationDisclaimer
The research listed is based on describing a "cohort of people" which may mean that some of the generational characteristics may or may not apply to you or your coworkers from different generations.
Traditionalists (before 1943)
The Babyboomers (1943 -1960)
Generation X (1960 – 1980)
Millenials (1980 – 1995)
Linksters (1995 – present)
Similarities and Differences in each cohort
Four Areas that describe the characteristics of each generational cohort. Core Values
Personality
Assets/Liabilities
Leadership/Team Member qualities
Core Values• Dedication• Sacrifice• Hard work
• Conformity• Law & Order• Respect
• Patience• Delayed gratification• Duty & Honor
Core Values• Dedication• Sacrifice• Hard work
• Conformity• Law & Order• Respect
• Patience• Delayed gratification• Duty & Honor
Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960)• Optimism• Team oriented• Personal gratification• Health & wellness
• Personal growth• Youth• Work• Involvement
Core Values• Dedication• Sacrifice• Hard work
• Conformity• Law & Order• Respect
• Patience• Delayed gratification• Duty & Honor
Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960)• Optimism• Team oriented• Personal gratification• Health & wellness
• Personal growth• Youth• Work• Involvement
Generation X (1960 – 1980)• Diversity• Thinking globally• Balance• Techno-literacy
• Fun• Informality• Self-reliance• Pragmatism
Core Values• Dedication• Sacrifice• Hard work
• Conformity• Law & Order• Respect
• Patience• Delayed gratification• Duty & Honor
Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960)• Optimism• Team oriented• Personal gratification• Health & wellness
• Personal growth• Youth• Work• Involvement
Generation X (1960 – 1980)• Diversity• Thinking globally• Balance• Techno-literacy
• Fun• Informality• Self-reliance• Pragmatism
Millenials (1980 – 1995)• Optimism• Civic Duty• Confidence • Achievement
• Sociability• Diversity
Personality• Like consistency and uniformity• Like things on a grand scale• Believe in logic, not magic
• They are disciplined• Past oriented and history absorbed• Spending style is conservative
Personality• Like consistency and uniformity• Like things on a grand scale• Believe in logic, not magic
• They are disciplined• Past oriented and history absorbed• Spending style is conservative
Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960)• Believe in growth and expansion• Tend towards optimism• Know all about teamwork• Have always been the cool kids
• Pursued personal gratification,
often at a high price• They have searched their souls
repeatedly, obsessively, recreationally
Personality• Like consistency and uniformity• Like things on a grand scale• Believe in logic, not magic
• They are disciplined• Past oriented and history absorbed• Spending style is conservative
Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960)• Believe in growth and expansion• Tend towards optimism• Know all about teamwork• Have always been the cool kids
• Pursued personal gratification,
often at a high price• They have searched their souls
repeatedly, obsessively, recreationally
Generation X (1960 – 1980)• Self reliant• They want balance• The have a non-traditional
orientation about time and space• Their approach to authority is casual
• They are cynical• Continue to be tech savvy• Attracted to the edge
Personality• Like consistency and uniformity• Like things on a grand scale• Believe in logic, not magic
• They are disciplined• Past oriented and history absorbed• Spending style is conservative
Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960)• Believe in growth and expansion• Tend towards optimism• Know all about teamwork• Have always been the cool kids
• Pursued personal gratification,
often at a high price• They have searched their souls
repeatedly, obsessively, recreationally
Generation X (1960 – 1980)• Self reliant• They want balance• The have a non-traditional
orientation about time and space• Their approach to authority is casual
• They are cynical• Continue to be tech savvy• Attracted to the edge
Millenials (1980 – 1995)• Resiliently optimistic• Digital natives• Collaborative• Goal and Achievement Oriented
• Diverse• Confident
AssetsTraditionalistsStable, Loyal, and
Hardworking
Baby BoomersDriven, want to please, and
willing to “go the extra mile”
Generation XAdaptability, Creative, and
Independent
MillenialsTenacious, Multi-tasking
capabilities, Tech Savvy
LiabilitiesTraditionalists Inept with change Uncomfortable with conflict Reticent to disagree
Baby Boomers May put process ahead of result Defensive in face of feedback Judgmental of differing opinions
Generation X Impatient Distrustful of Authority Inept at office Politics
Millenials Need for Supervision and Structure Demand for constant feedback Helicopter parents
Leadership Team MembersTraditionalists Command ControlBaby Boomers Personal Approach Informal Political Generation X Pragmatic RealisticMillenials They want it their way They know they are not ready Believe in Transparency
Traditionalists Need a strong leader to tell them
exactly what, when, and howBaby Boomers Feel the need to prove themselves Don’t suffer fools but may not
confront them eitherGeneration X Prefer working alone or on virtual
teams Demand high productivity and
quick completion of tasks to free up more personal time “work hard, play hard”
Millenials Need for Supervision and Structure Demand for constant feedback Helicopter parents
Linksters (1995 – present)True Digital nativesLove texting limited face to face communication
Challenges:work part-timeLove flex schedulesstaying connectedneed clear direction
What does all this have to do with Communication?
Challenges:Differences in
Core Values Negative
perceptions Inhibited
collaboration due to lack of understanding among the different generations.
SolutionsOver Communication Raise your Social I.Q. (Soft Skills)Being aware of differencesFind opportunities to get to know your co-workers
from different generations Boundaries – “good fences make good neighbors”
Questions to ask ourselves?Am I communicating with my staff/fellow co-
workers enough?Am I communicating in a professional manor?How is my Social I.Q. ?
Harvard Study: http://socialintelligence.labinthewild.org/mite/
Social IQ/Soft SkillsCommunicationEnthusiasm & “I Can”Attitude TeamworkNetworking
Kare Anderson, Be an opportunity maker : https://www.ted.com/talks/kare_anderson_be_an_opportunity_maker
Problem Solving & Critical ThinkingProfessionalism
ConclusionWe as librarians work with and for multiple
generations. It is important to remind ourselves of the golden rule when working with staff and patrons while maintaining a professional attitude.
References Bersin, J. (2013) Millennials Will Soon Rule The World: But How will
they lead? Retrieved on 10/15/15 from www.forbes.com/sites/joshbersin/2013/09/12millenials-will-
soon-rule-the-world-but-how-will-they-lead/2/ Redstone Arsenal (2014) Resiliency Training Notes. Johnson, M. and Johnson, L. (2010) Generations, Inc.: From Boomers to
Linksters - Managing the Friction Between Generations at Work. New York, NY: American Management Association.
Post, P. and Post, P., (2005) Emily Post's The Etiquette advantage in Business. New York, NY: Harper Resource; 2nd Ed.
Zemke, R. Raines, C., and Filipczak, B. (2013) Generation at Work: Managing the Clash of Boomers, GenXers, and GenYers in the work place. New York, NY: American Managment Association.
Thank you!
