Generational Communication

The Changing Workplace

* 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
 Overview

 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

 Generations at Work

* 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

Why Learn About The Generations?

* Changing demographics

* Better understanding of it’s impact in the workplace

* Increase the personal competency in communication and

management

* Promote teamwork
 When Generations Fail To
Communicate

* 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
 Generations

* Traditionalists, Veterans Born Prior to 1946

* Baby Boomers Born 1946-1964

* Generation X, Gen-Xers Born 1965-1980

* Nexters/Millennials Born 1981-2002

 Traditionalists
Events & Experiences
Born Prior to 1946

* Great Depression

* New Deal

* WW II

* Korean War

* Atomic Bomb
 Traditionalists
Values

* Grew up during wartime, shortages and sense of lack

* Frugal
* Hard Work
* Dedication & Sacrifice
* Honor / Respect for Rules
* Duty before fun
 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
 Baby Boomers
Events & Experiences

* Civil Rights

* Space Travel

* Cold War

* Sexual Revolution

* Assassinations
 Baby Boomer
Values

* Optimism
* Team Orientation
* Loyal
* Workaholics
* Like relationships in the workplace
* Interested in health and wellness
* Open minded
 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,
 Generation X
Events & Experiences

* Fall of Berlin Wall

* Women’s Liberation
* Watergate
* Latchkey Kids
* Energy Crisis
* Desert Storm
 Generation X
Values

* Self Reliance/Autonomy

* Diversity

* Tech Savvy

* Fun & Informality

* Pragmatism
 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
 Nexters/Millennials/Gen Y
Events & Experiences

* Oklahoma City

* School Shootings

* Technology

* Clinton/Lewinsky

* Conservative Values

* 9/11
 Nexter/Millennials/Gen Y
Values

* Optimistic
* Civic Duty
* Political
* Confident
* Goal Setting is Priority
* Respect for Diversity
* Social
 Nexters/Millenials/Gen Y In
Workplace

* 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
 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
Traditional
6%

Millenial
23%

Boomers
41%

Gen X-ers
30%
 Workplace Characteristics
Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation X Generation Y
Work Ethic Hard work Workaholics Eliminate the task What’s next
and Values Respect authority Work efficiently Self-reliance Multitasking
Sacrifice Crusading causes Want structure Tenacity
Duty before fun Personal fulfillment and direction Entrepreneurial
Adhere to rules Desire quality Skeptical Tolerant
Question authority Goal oriented
Work is….. An obligation An exciting A difficult A means to an
adventure challenge end
A contract Fulfillment
Leadership Directive Consensual Everyone is the *TBD
style Command-and- Collegial same
control Challenges others
Asks why
Interactive Individual Team player Entrepreneur Participative
style Loves meetings
 Workplace Characteristics (Cont.)

Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation X Generation Y

Communications Formal In person Direct E-mail
Memo Immediate Voice mail
No news is Don’t appreciate Sorry to Whenever I want
Feedback and good news it interrupt, but it, at the push of a
Rewards Satisfaction in a Money how am I button
job well done doing? Meaningful work
Title recognition
Freedom is the
best reward
Messages that Your experience You are valued Do it your way You will work with
Motivate is respected You are needed Forget the other bright,
rules creative people

Work and Family Ne’er the twain No balance Balance Balance

Life shall meet Work to live
 Workplace & communication
strategies to use with Traditionalists

* 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 for communicating with
Baby Boomers
* 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 and communication
strategies for communicating with
Generation X
* 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
Nexters/Millenials/Gen Y
* 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”
 Bridging The Gap

* Be aware of the differences, embrace them

* Appreciate the strengths, draw on them
* Recognize the contributions and intricacies of
all
 Valuing Differences

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.