Presented By:

UNDERSTANDING GENERATIONAL GAPS

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While the error of age is to believe that experience is a substitute for intelligence. -Unknown 2

The error of youth is to believe that intelligence is a substitute for experience

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Learning Objectives:

1. Students will be able to name characteristics common to each of the four specified generations.

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Understanding Generational Gaps

2. Students will be able to verbalize the

commonalities and differences between the four generations and how they can be utilized in the training process.

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Understanding Generational Gaps…

3. Given situational examples, each student will

evaluate and identify the appropriate teaching techniques to utilize per generational needs.

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Understanding Generational Gaps…

Diversity Generational Mixing Merit Difficulties working side by side Understanding different mindsets Education and Training key

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Introduction to generational gaps

OVERVIEW OF GENERATIONAL

CHARACTERISTICS

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Veteran or Silent Generation (1922-1942)

Baby Boomer or Boomer Generation (Born 1943-1961)

Generation X or Xers (Born 1962-1981)

Nexters or Generation Y (Born 1982-2000) 9

Four generations now in the workplace:

Value Communication

Loyal

Wants acknowledgement of experience

Driven to get the job done whatever it takes

Keeps family and work lives separate

5% of today’s workforce 10

Veteran Generation (1922-1942)

Boomers Say…inflexible, can’t keep up with technology. But on work team keep team focused.

Xers say…Lack of technical skill but fun to teach and work until the jobs done.

Nexters say…They are reliable and know how to lead. All positive.

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How other generations view them:

World War II

Depression

Standing in line for cigarettes, stockings

Coupons for stamps, meat, shoes, gas

Andrews Sisters, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, radio soap operas

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Life Experiences

45% of today’s workforce…will dominate workplace until year 2015.

Very sensitive as being portrayed as ageing/slowing down.

Last generation of stay at home moms. Nurturing/raising children utmost

importance to this era.

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Boomer Generation (1943-1961)

Veterans say…Boomers are too self-centered, tell too much about their personal lives at work.

Xers say…They work too much and take it too seriously. Too political and calculating.

Nexters say…work way too much.

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How other generations view them:

Television became popular

First man to walk on the moon

Martin Luther King legacy, desegregation

Woodstock

Movies: Psycho, West Side Story, Sound of Music, Rocky

Major Life Experiences

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Barbie Doll, Hula Hoop, Lionel Trains, Radio Flyer, Cap guns

Elvis, Everley Brothers, Mommas and the Poppas,

Beatles

Rocky Marciano, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris

Toys, Music & Sports Figures

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Many define themselves by the work they do

Idealistic, competitive, question authority, strong work ethic

Feel world revolves around them, the “ME” generation

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General Commonalities

40% of today’s workforce

Generation without a childhood, “Latchkey Kids”

Confronted with: drug addiction, AIDS, sexual freedom, uncontrolled violence, educational requirements, environmental/world problems (mindset is, all problems created by past generations) 18

Generation X (1962-1981)

Typical Household: Both parents working or divorced families

Communication via portable phones, pagers and

e-mail

Want strong balance between personal life and work

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Generation X…

Accepting of different lifestyles, roles and cultures

Place considerable emphasis on immediate gratification

Unimpressed by status of others

One fifth of Xers live in poverty 20

Generation X…

Veterans say…they complain, hold too many certificates/not enough real education, they arrive late/leave early, don’t value Veterans experience.

Boomers say…they are lazy, impatient, too much time with computers instead of with people, disrespectful.

Nexters…Laid back about any differences, Nexters try to resolve conflicts between Boomers and Xers.

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How other generations view them:

Roe Vs. Wade

Challenger shuttle explosion

Berlin Wall dismantled

Fall of Communism in Eastern Europe

AIDS identified

Major Life Experiences

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Game Boy, Rubik’s Cube, Transformers

Michael Jackson, Madonna

Mike Tyson, Mary Lou Retton, Carl Lewis

Toys, Music & Sports Figures

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ET

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Star Wars, Silence of the Lambs

Movies

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Clashing in the workplace with Boomers

Creative/adaptive to change

They expect to change careers and employers numerous times

Impatient for change

Multi-task oriented 25

General Commonalities

Having grown up in the video age, wielding a remote control and clicking a mouse, the typical Xer or Nexters

Assimilates information quickly and can focus on many things at once.

Preppie Dress

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General Commonalities

Newest Generation entering workforce (10%)

Parents/Politicians made concerted effort for this generation to avoid: drugs/alcohol. Profanity, improper TV, un-chaperoned gatherings, aggressive behavior, AIDS, teen pregnancy

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Generation Y (1982-1998)

Veterans say…comparatively speaking have great manners, feel they know a lot and with experience will mirror the Veteran’s, complain about crude language.

Boomers say…Want Nexters on their team to do technical activities/web page work, etc., undisciplined.

Xers say…spoiled/selfish, new breed of Boomer, Likes to work with them due to technological skills. 28

How other Generations View Them

First Children’s Summit at UN

1987 Stock Market drop

Princess Diane killed in car crash

Mother Teresa dies

Dolly the lamb is cloned

Major Life Experiences

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Titanic

Brave Heart

Video games

Play Station

X-Box

Movies & Entertainment

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South Park

Simpsons

Beavis and Butthead

Michael Jordan

Wayne Gretzky

Cal Ripken, Jr.

Cartoons & Sports

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Always had or known about: computers, remote control, MTV, Microwave popcorn, AIDS.

Never heard of: hard contact lenses, statement “You sound like a broken record”.

Self reliant, stable, heritage oriented, volunteerism, escapism, tolerant and accepting of diverse lifestyles.

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General Commonalities:

More than 40% must take remedial math and English after high school, vocational experience limited.

Prefer caring, informal work environment, have positive outlook on work and enjoy working in groups, wizards with technology and multi-tasking.

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Commonalities…

Wizards with technology and multi-tasking

Non-smoking, recycle

Want to connect with the Community

Expect accommodation to varied lifestyles

Inventive

Create and value responsible supervision

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Commonalities…

By year 2050 predicted population increase from 5.5 billion to 11 billion.

Production of goods and services to quadruple.

The generations we are training today will be the teachers of this Futuristic Generation. 35

Futuristic Generation (1999-present)

TIPS FOR TRAINING AND WORKING WITH

GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES

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Don’t rush things.

Younger trainers must be careful to build rapport.

Establish rapport by acknowledging the employees background and experience.

Ask permission to coach.

Don’t assume all veterans are technophobes.

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Veteran Generation (1922-1942)

“I know all that” chip on their shoulders.

Focus on personal challenges.

Provide Boomers with developmental experiences

Provide Non-authoritarian learning.38

Boomers(1943-1961)

Allow plenty of time for questions and answers.

Give them plenty of elbowroom.

Add games and fun activities to training programs.

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Generation X (1962-1981)

Don’t expect them to respect you just because you are the trainer.

Place high priority on learning and developing new skills.

Set clear objectives.

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Generation X…

Nexters enjoy training that incorporates interaction with their colleagues.

Be sensitive to conflict when Xers and Nexters work side by side.

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Generation Y (1982-1998)

Establish mentor program.

Acceptance of differences.

Vary Delivery modes.

Independent learners.

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Generation Y…Continued

It was once thought the average attention span was about 50 minutes.

It is now thought we need to change our delivery at least every______.

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More on delivery modes:

This is the amount of time that correlates with the change associated with current media devices and entertainment.

Instruction has now become another form of entertainment.

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“5-6 minutes”

READING STYLES BY GENERATION

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Veterans: respond to material in summary form- Reader’s Digest format

Boomers: Prefer overview that can be scanned- amazingly like the Internet

Xers: Need visual stimulation with fewer words- Do not read much

Nexters: Do not read a lot, but still need visual stimulation- video games dominate

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Reading Styles

An awareness of Generational differences

is a valuable tool for instructors, managers

and learners.

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Veterans: work best when there is personal contact, look for strong leadership and directions.

Boomers: extended work week from a standard 38 to 60 hours, adding a month to the work year. Want recognition and fame.

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Expectations on the Job

Xers: Want to go home at 5 and play. Flexible schedules, independence, professional growth, interesting work and time off.

Nexters: Motivated by similar incentives as Xers, but need more direction.

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Expectations…

Veterans: independent rather than working in a team.

Boomers: OK with team work.

Xers: somewhat independent, will do OK with teamwork, but prefer self-directed options.

Nexters: like interaction with colleagues. 50

Preferred Training/Working Environment

In many workspaces, it is possible to find up to 4 different generations

working together.

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Accommodating the needs of employees ranging in age from 18 to 80 and motivating such a diverse

workforce are not easytasks.

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE TRAINING

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Feedback and rewards are imperative for a successful class.

Be sensitive when giving feedback and give immediately.

Be objective not subjective.

Make it fast paced, involving and fun.

Make it safe to participate and safe to disagree.

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Training Tips

Make it positive, learner-centered and individualized.

Make it matter.

Make trainee’s experience count.

Strive for a comfortable environment making testing less stressful.

Make it make sense. 55

Training Tips…

“EDUCATION AND TRAINING IS THE KEY TO UNLOCKING THE BARRIERS BETWEEN THE GENERATIONS.” (Lindsy,

2003) 56

Accommodate generational differences.

Create training/workplace choices.

Operate from a sophisticated training/management style.

Respect competence and initiative.

Nourish retention.57

Create an Environment

“Learning Takes Place As Students Process, Interpret and Negotiate the Meaning of New

Information. This Is Heavily Influenced by the Students Prior Knowledge, and by the Values,

Expectations, Rewards and Sanctions That Shape the

Learning Environment.” (Newman, 1995)

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A 27 year old wiz-kid manager complains that a 63 year old colleague treated her like the “girl that should be sent out for lunch”. What techniques could be used to assist these persons in working/training together?

Exercise

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A manager asked the employees to stay late to attend a training session. Boomers were willing to do so, Gen Xers argued the request was unreasonable because they “have a life” outside of work. In a training situation, how could these differences be met to make the training successful?

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Exercise

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Questions?