Leadership and Learning Across the

Generations

Mark W. Altman, M.I.S.

Overview What are the generations in the workplace today?What characteristics do they share?How can the generations capitalize on their strengths?

“Before you go and criticize the younger generation, just remember who raised them.”“Blessed is the generation in which the old listen to the young; and doubly blessed is the generation in which the young listen to the old”

Current Generations

Traditionalists (1922-45)

Baby Boomers (1946-60) Tweeners (1960-64) Generation X (1964-81) Generation Y (1981-2001) Generation Z (2001-?)

Notes about Generations

Broad generalizations Generations overlap People are effected as much by education, geography, and household as generation

“What nobler employment, or more valuable to the state, than that of the man who instructs the rising generation?” – Marcus Tullius Cicero

“Trads” in the workplace

Build trust through inclusive language (we, us)A leader's word is his/her bond, so focus more on words, not body language Face-to-face or written communication is received best

“Trads” in the workplace

Use more formal languageDon't waste their time; they have a job to doDon't expect them to share their innermost thoughts immediately

"Endeavor to live so that when you die even the undertaker will be sorry." - Mark Twain

"Few men, even among the wise, understand the great power than can be gained from service.“- Binnesman

Boomers in the workplace

Boomers are the "show me" generation, so use body language to communicate Speak in an open, direct styleAnswer questions thoroughly, and expect to be pressed for details

Boomers in the workplace

Avoid controlling, manipulative languagePresent options to show flexibility in your thinking Use face to face or electronic communication to reach out to them

“To come to be you must have a vision of Being, a Dream, a Purpose, a Principle. You will become what your vision is.”

- Peter Zarlenga

Gen X in the workplace

Need: challenging environment, individual growth/ development, and stimulating assignmentsE-mail is primary communication toolPresent the facts, use straight talk

Gen X in the workplace

Ask them for their feedbackShare information with them immediately and oftenListen! You just might learn something

“If you have built your castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them”

- Henry David Thoreau

Gen Y in the workplace

Gen X on steroids! Use action verbs to challengeUse humor. Reassure them that you don't take yourself too seriouslyUse e-mail and voicemail as primary communication tools

Gen Y in the workplace

Use language to paint visual pictures Don't talk down to them; they will resent it Show respect through your language, and they will respect you

Gen Y in the workplace

Use visual communication to motivate them and keep them focusedEncourage them to break the rules and explore new paths or optionsConstantly seek their feedbackDo NOT micro-manage!

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.“

- Mark Twain

This is where it gets Ugly

Treat everyone as an individual Remember- the previous slides are generalizationsCare, compassion, empathy and respect are keyIf you are the leader, you have to set the example

“It costs so much to be a full human being that there are very few who have the enlightenment, or the courage, to pay the price.... One has to abandon altogether the search for security, and reach out to the risk of living with both arms. One has to embrace the world like a lover, and yet demand no easy return of love. One has to accept pain as a condition of existence. One has to court doubt and darkness as the cost of knowing. One needs a will stubborn in conflict, but apt always to the total acceptance of every consequence of living and dying.”

- Morris L. West

Maximizing Strengths

The Trads and Boomers are the keel of the shipEncourage the “out of the box” thinking, use the natural tech savvy of the Gen X and YersAll groups benefit from respect and honest, open communication

Day to Day

Success is built everyday in small thingsBe willing to underwrite honest mistakesEveryone should have a mentor

Day to Day

Allow the people in your life to hold you accountableBe kind and of selfless service to othersSMILE!!!!

Books

Leadership for all the Mountains you Climb- Mark AltmanServant Leadership- Robert GreenleafSeven Habits for Highly Successful People- Dr. Steven CoveyPrinciple Centered Leadership- Dr. Steven Covey

Conclusion

There are NO easy answers!Put the needs of “the other” firstKnow where YOU are headedAsk others in the organization where they want to goKeep your vision firmly in focusRemember, you don’t always get it right either

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat”

- Teddy Roosevelt

Questions?

“Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be. One who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal, will one day realize it. ”

– James Allen