Generational Identity in the Workplace November 25, 2008 Dr. Judy Laws Graybridge Malkam.
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Transcript of Generational Identity in the Workplace November 25, 2008 Dr. Judy Laws Graybridge Malkam.
Generational Identity in the Workplace
November 25, 2008
Dr. Judy Laws
Graybridge Malkam
Agenda
– What are Generations and Why do they Matter?
– Generations in Today’s Workforce
– Understanding the Four Generations
Generation
• A group of people defined by age boundaries (those who were born during a certain era)
• They share similar experiences growing up
• Their values and attitudes tend to be similar
The Power of Four
• This is the first time in North American history that we have had four different generations working side-by-side in the workplace.
• Each generation has distinct attitudes, behaviors, expectations, habits, and motivational buttons.
• These four generations often collide, as their paths cross.
• They have different values, different ideas, different ways of getting things done, and different ways to communicating in the workplace.
Veterans - born 1920 to 1945
- today 88 to 63 years old
Baby Boomers - born 1946 to 1964
- today 44 to 62 years old
Generation X - born 1965 to 1980
- today 28 to 43 years old
Generation Y - born 1981 to 1999
- today 9 to 27 years old
Poll: What generation do you belong to? When were you born?
Demographic Reality
Source: © New Paradigm Learning Corporation 2006
Baby Boomer
1946 - 1964
Gen X
1965 - 1980
Gen Y
1981 - 2000
Veterans
1922 – 1945< 10% of
Workforce
Disclaimer
– Be careful not to categorize someone just based upon the year they were born – it’s more their behaviors and values that will identify them with a particular generation
– Exact population numbers within each group will vary
• Very few consistent sources on the exact years that encompass the Veteran, Boomer, Generation X, and Generation Y categories
Generations Jeopardy
Generation?
What’s the Value?
I am…. Heroes and
Cartoons
Grab Bag
10 10 10 10 10
20 20 20 20 20
30 30 30 30 30
40 40 40 40 40
I didn’t have the opportunity to pursue post secondary education, so I
worked my way up by gaining experience
Who is a Veteran
My parents stayed together, mother stayed at home and my dad worked
in an office, but I got divorced
Who is a Baby Boomer
I expect post secondary education and expect to
get a good job after
Who is a Gen Y
I grew up with a key around my neck
Who is a Gen X
A generation who values equality – they believe respect is earned, not
given
Who are Gen Y
I value relationship and respect those with a “solid
work ethic”.
Who are the Baby Boomers
I value self- reliance and development opportunities that foster my employability
Who are Gen X
A generation who values hierarchy – they believe their boss knows best
Who are the Veterans
Team Oriented
Who are Baby Boomers
Hopeful
Who are Gen Y
Skeptical
Who are Gen X
Pessimistic
Who are Veterans
Who is Gen Y
Who is a Baby Boomer
Who is Gen X
Who are Veterans
A group of people defined by age boundaries (those who were born
during a certain era), they share similar experiences growing up, and their
values and attitudes tend to be similar.
What is a Generation?
These two countries have 9.5 times the number of Gen Y than the U.S.
and Canada Combined
India and China
This organization has mastered tailoring its messages to recruit each generation.
What is the Military
Fight Fear
All generations want these factors in their workplace
What are • Work-Life Balance• Interesting Work • A Good Salary • Benefits• Flexible Hours of Work
Group Exercise
• What generation do you consider yourself to be a member of?
• What do you like about your generation?
• What do you wish other generations understood about your generation?
• What challenges do you face at work that may have to do with your generation?
Consistent and Compelling Messages Driven into Gen Y
• You are special
• Leave no one behind
• Connect 24/7
• Achieve now
• Serve your community
Building Bridges• Learn how your team members wish to communicate• Maintain enthusiasm when dealing with challenges that
arise from interaction with diverse co-workers• Avoid selecting roles based on age; rather, select roles
based on a team member’s abilities.• Work towards equalizing each team member’s influence
within the workplace by minimizing dominance by any one member or group.
• Structure opportunities for sharing and self disclosure
• Make opportunities for generations to learn from each other
• Increase understanding about generational differences
• Demonstrate flexibility for differing needs and preferences