Generations X and Y Meet Generations X and Y Meet Organizational BehaviorOrganizational Behavior

A Practical OverviewA Practical Overviewby by

Maurizio Morselli, M.S.EdMaurizio Morselli, M.S.Ed

Volta Pagina e Vedi Cosa Vuol DireVolta Pagina e Vedi Cosa Vuol Dire

Cosa Vuol Dire?Cosa Vuol Dire? La generazione di oggi è diversa dalla precedente; grazie alle moderne La generazione di oggi è diversa dalla precedente; grazie alle moderne

tecnologie ha maggiore consapevolezza(o almeno maggior numero di dati) tecnologie ha maggiore consapevolezza(o almeno maggior numero di dati) della società in cui vive. In fondo internet, cellulari e sms permettono di della società in cui vive. In fondo internet, cellulari e sms permettono di essere sempre aggiornati su ciò che accade e questo ovviamente porta a una essere sempre aggiornati su ciò che accade e questo ovviamente porta a una percezione diversa del mondo. Prima le cose non si sapevano (e tutt’ora percezione diversa del mondo. Prima le cose non si sapevano (e tutt’ora bisogna essere astuti per saperle bene), per questo l’approccio nei confronti bisogna essere astuti per saperle bene), per questo l’approccio nei confronti delle cose era diverso.delle cose era diverso.

Tutto questo influisce sulle motivazioni ed il comportamento professionale di Tutto questo influisce sulle motivazioni ed il comportamento professionale di queste nuove generazioni. queste nuove generazioni.

Negli Stati Uniti esistono (e’ di moda dare…) etichette generazionali per Negli Stati Uniti esistono (e’ di moda dare…) etichette generazionali per indicare le ultime 2 generazioni: indicare le ultime 2 generazioni: XX, , YY..

Se la generazione Se la generazione XX è cresciuta con la mono-tecnocrazia della televisione, è cresciuta con la mono-tecnocrazia della televisione, contraddistinta da un’ interazione passiva, e da contenuti creati da soggetti contraddistinta da un’ interazione passiva, e da contenuti creati da soggetti esterni, la generazione esterni, la generazione YY sta crescendo nell’ambito di una pluri-tecnocrazia sta crescendo nell’ambito di una pluri-tecnocrazia dei media, dove l’utente ha la facoltà di scegliere tra fruizione passiva e dei media, dove l’utente ha la facoltà di scegliere tra fruizione passiva e partecipazione attiva e spesso iperattiva…(e non sono necessariamente in partecipazione attiva e spesso iperattiva…(e non sono necessariamente in contrasto!). Da soggetto passivo a soggetto ibrido passivo-attivo.contrasto!). Da soggetto passivo a soggetto ibrido passivo-attivo.

Questo riconoscimento e’ utile al buon manager per gestire le proprie Questo riconoscimento e’ utile al buon manager per gestire le proprie “risorse umane; avendo queste conoscenze può utilizzare diverse strategie di “risorse umane; avendo queste conoscenze può utilizzare diverse strategie di motivazione e gestione del rendimento.motivazione e gestione del rendimento.

Allego con piacere un mini-corso a scopo di “awareness” che ho creato per Allego con piacere un mini-corso a scopo di “awareness” che ho creato per colleghi qui a New York che hanno un’equipe di dipendenti colleghi qui a New York che hanno un’equipe di dipendenti XX e e YY..

What is this all about?What is this all about? This program is intended to help identify the This program is intended to help identify the

styles of management that some of us may styles of management that some of us may employ and how they impact “new age” employ and how they impact “new age” employees in our respective jobsemployees in our respective jobs

This is not intended to be exhaustive, nor a This is not intended to be exhaustive, nor a primer for how you should manage your primer for how you should manage your employees; rather, it is good information and employees; rather, it is good information and some things I have done in previous positionssome things I have done in previous positions

Finally, this is not Finally, this is not thethe perfect approach; hopefully, perfect approach; hopefully, this will spark some conversation between this will spark some conversation between generations in this room and your generations in this room and your Chapters/OfficesChapters/Offices

Now, let’s play a game!Now, let’s play a game! Let’s play “Let’s play “I Remember” BingoI Remember” Bingo We are going to take a few moments to We are going to take a few moments to

see if we can go around the room and see if we can go around the room and identify who is older than the dirt on identify who is older than the dirt on Noah’s Ark, or younger than the clothes Noah’s Ark, or younger than the clothes you wore to work last weekyou wore to work last week

The initials should represent the earliest The initials should represent the earliest event you remember in your lifetime, event you remember in your lifetime, and you need to identify the yearand you need to identify the year

Don’t cheat!Don’t cheat!

Here we go!Oklahoma City

BombingWatergate John Lennon

shot and killedFirst Man on

the Moon

Salk Polio Vaccine

introduced

Clinton/Lewinski Scandal

Hitler Invaded Austria

Ronald ReaganInaugurated

Martin Luther King lead the

March on Washington

President Kennedy

Was Assassinated

“The Pill” was made available

The United States entered World War II

The Berlin Wall Fell

The Space Shuttle

Challenger exploded

Three Mile Island

McCarthyUn-American

Hearings

Answers!Oklahoma City

Bombing1995

Watergate1973

John Lennon shot and killed

1980

First Man on the Moon

1969

Salk Polio Vaccine

introduced1955

Clinton/Lewinski Scandal

1998

Hitler Invaded Austria1937

Ronald ReaganInaugurated

1981

Martin Luther King lead the

March on Washington

1963

President Kennedy

Was Assassinated

1963

“The Pill” was made available

1960

The United States entered World War II

1941

The Berlin Wall Fell1989

The Space Shuttle

Challenger exploded

1986

Three Mile Island1979

McCarthyUn-American

Hearings1954

What was the purpose of the What was the purpose of the game?game?

Hopefully, this was an icebreaker that Hopefully, this was an icebreaker that allowed you to get to know each other a allowed you to get to know each other a little betterlittle better

This also allows us to break down the This also allows us to break down the generations that are in the workplace generations that are in the workplace today: The Veterans, The Baby Boomers, today: The Veterans, The Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation YGeneration X and Generation Y

Veterans (1922 – 1943)Veterans (1922 – 1943)now between 61 – 82 years oldnow between 61 – 82 years old

Lindbergh Transatlantic flight ’27Lindbergh Transatlantic flight ’27 Lindbergh baby kidnapping ’32Lindbergh baby kidnapping ’32 Stock Market Crash ’29Stock Market Crash ’29 Depression ’29 – 33Depression ’29 – 33 FDR’s New Deal ’33FDR’s New Deal ’33 Social Security established ’34Social Security established ’34 Hitler and World War II ’37 - 43Hitler and World War II ’37 - 43

Veterans – Values and Work Veterans – Values and Work EthicEthic

Dedication and Dedication and SacrificeSacrifice

Hard WorkHard Work Respect for Respect for

AuthorityAuthority Adherence to RulesAdherence to Rules Duty before Duty before

PleasurePleasure

Work ethic influenced Work ethic influenced by manufacturing by manufacturing economyeconomy

Obedience and Obedience and conformity over conformity over individualismindividualism

Seniority and age Seniority and age directly correlateddirectly correlated

Tend to respond well Tend to respond well to directive leadershipto directive leadership

Directive leadershipDirective leadership

Much more comfortable with “scientific Much more comfortable with “scientific management” style (management” style (aka Command and Controlaka Command and Control))

Comes somewhat as result of the military Comes somewhat as result of the military background of this groupbackground of this group

Very conformist, little place for individual Very conformist, little place for individual stylestyle

Baby Boomers (1944 – 1963)Baby Boomers (1944 – 1963)now between 41 – 60 years oldnow between 41 – 60 years old

McCarthy Hearings ’54McCarthy Hearings ’54 The Pill ’60The Pill ’60 Assassinations of JFK (’63) and MLK Assassinations of JFK (’63) and MLK

(’68)(’68) Civil Rights (Rosa Parks ’55) (March on Civil Rights (Rosa Parks ’55) (March on

Washington ’63)Washington ’63) Vietnam ’65Vietnam ’65 Man on the Moon ‘69Man on the Moon ‘69

Baby Boomers – Baby Boomers – Values and Work EthicValues and Work Ethic

OptimismOptimism Team OrientationTeam Orientation Personal GrowthPersonal Growth Personal GratificationPersonal Gratification Health and WellnessHealth and Wellness InvolvementInvolvement Service OrientedService Oriented Uncomfortable with Uncomfortable with

conflictconflict

Driven by the Driven by the legacy of World legacy of World War IIWar II

Can be overly Can be overly sensitive to sensitive to feedbackfeedback

Can be judgmental Can be judgmental of those who see of those who see things differentlythings differently

Management style for the Management style for the Boomers?Boomers?

While Organizational Behavioral While Organizational Behavioral modifications really began to sink in with modifications really began to sink in with the Boomers, they largely responded well the Boomers, they largely responded well (and still do) to “scientific”, directive style (and still do) to “scientific”, directive style of leadershipof leadership

However, desire to see a more referent However, desire to see a more referent model begins to emergemodel begins to emerge

Looking around…Looking around…

How many of you are described in the How many of you are described in the previous groups?previous groups?

Interesting in the fact that the values Interesting in the fact that the values and work ethic of the Veterans and and work ethic of the Veterans and Boomers are natural outgrowths of the Boomers are natural outgrowths of the previousprevious

Now…Now…

Let’s focus our attention on Let’s focus our attention on the groups that our main the groups that our main discussion is based upon…discussion is based upon…

Generation XGeneration X Generation Y Generation Y

What Are Your Thoughts? What What Are Your Thoughts? What Have you heard About X & Y?Have you heard About X & Y?

Let’s hear what you think Let’s hear what you think about…about…

Generation XGeneration X Generation Y Generation Y

2 Groups: 5 minutes

X

Y

Exercise

Report Out

Generation XGeneration X (1964 – 1980) (1964 – 1980)now between 24 and 40 years now between 24 and 40 years

oldold Women’s Liberation Movement ’70Women’s Liberation Movement ’70 Watergate and the Energy Crisis ’73Watergate and the Energy Crisis ’73 Tandy and Apple personal computers ’76Tandy and Apple personal computers ’76 Three Mile Island ’79Three Mile Island ’79 66 American Hostages in Iran ’7966 American Hostages in Iran ’79 John Lennon Shot and Reagan Inaugurated ’80-81John Lennon Shot and Reagan Inaugurated ’80-81 MTV ‘81MTV ‘81 AIDS ’84AIDS ’84 Challenger Disaster ’86Challenger Disaster ’86 ““Latch key kids”Latch key kids”

Generation X – Values and Generation X – Values and Work EthicWork Ethic

DiversityDiversity Thinking globallyThinking globally BalanceBalance Techno-literacyTechno-literacy FunFun InformalityInformality Self-relianceSelf-reliance

““differently oriented differently oriented toward work” toward work”

““just a job”just a job” Flexible hours, informal Flexible hours, informal

work environment, just work environment, just the right amount of the right amount of supervisionsupervision

Multi-taskingMulti-tasking Give them lots to do and Give them lots to do and

freedom to do it their freedom to do it their wayway

What makes them tick?What makes them tick?

They tend to avoid corporate politics – they They tend to avoid corporate politics – they have no orientation for this have no orientation for this

They are generally not very interested in They are generally not very interested in traditional perks but (WARNING!!!) they will traditional perks but (WARNING!!!) they will bail out if they see Boomers getting excessive bail out if they see Boomers getting excessive perksperks

They are usually motivated by the prospect of They are usually motivated by the prospect of independence, the lack of corporate structure, independence, the lack of corporate structure, a lack of rigidity, and the latest technological a lack of rigidity, and the latest technological advancesadvances

How do you teach, train and How do you teach, train and orient them?orient them?

Does your department Does your department activelyactively use Web-based use Web-based training?training?

This group is not afraid to ask questions. Be ready, This group is not afraid to ask questions. Be ready, don’t take it personallydon’t take it personally

Say at least 3 times – “We want you to have a life”Say at least 3 times – “We want you to have a life” Stress upcoming dramatic organizational changesStress upcoming dramatic organizational changes Encourage a learning inventory at the end of each Encourage a learning inventory at the end of each

dayday Stress the importance of training/learning new Stress the importance of training/learning new

things; however, keep the training materials brief and things; however, keep the training materials brief and easy to readeasy to read

The Myths surrounding Gen The Myths surrounding Gen XX

They’re materialisticThey’re materialistic.. Many are struggling to make ends meet. Many are struggling to make ends meet.

This generation is probably the American This generation is probably the American generation that probably will not replicate or generation that probably will not replicate or improve on their parents’ lifestyle. They improve on their parents’ lifestyle. They worry that they will not have the money to worry that they will not have the money to pay for a house and children’s education. pay for a house and children’s education. They want to get out of debt. While money They want to get out of debt. While money is important to them, material wealth and is important to them, material wealth and status items are largely scorned.status items are largely scorned.

Adapted from Claire Raines, Adapted from Claire Raines, Beyond Generation X (Beyond Generation X (Menlo Park, Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications, 1997)CA: Crisp Publications, 1997)

The Myths surrounding Gen The Myths surrounding Gen XX

They’re whiners.They’re whiners. Gen Xers face some rather daunting Gen Xers face some rather daunting

challenges – college loans, skyrocketing challenges – college loans, skyrocketing health care costs – yet most are health care costs – yet most are philosophical about the problems they philosophical about the problems they are inheriting.are inheriting.

Adapted from Claire Raines, Adapted from Claire Raines, Beyond Generation X (Beyond Generation X (Menlo Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications, 1997)Park, CA: Crisp Publications, 1997)

The Myths surrounding Gen The Myths surrounding Gen XX

They have a “you owe me” They have a “you owe me” attitudeattitude..

No more so than any other generation.No more so than any other generation.

Adapted from Claire Raines, Adapted from Claire Raines, Beyond Generation X (Beyond Generation X (Menlo Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications, 1997)Park, CA: Crisp Publications, 1997)

The Myths surrounding Gen The Myths surrounding Gen XX

They’re not willing to work hardThey’re not willing to work hard.. In interviews, Gen Xers consistently tell us In interviews, Gen Xers consistently tell us

they are willing to work very hard. They they are willing to work very hard. They don’t want to be taken advantage of, don’t want to be taken advantage of, though. Many believe it’s unfair to expect though. Many believe it’s unfair to expect a seventy-hour week for forty hours of a seventy-hour week for forty hours of pay. And, as a generation, they’re pay. And, as a generation, they’re committed to having a life beyond work.committed to having a life beyond work.

Adapted from Claire Raines, Adapted from Claire Raines, Beyond Generation X (Beyond Generation X (Menlo Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications, 1997)Park, CA: Crisp Publications, 1997)

The Myths surrounding Gen The Myths surrounding Gen XX

They’re living on easy streetThey’re living on easy street.. In the 1950s, young homeowners could In the 1950s, young homeowners could

make the monthly mortgage payment by make the monthly mortgage payment by using 14 percent of their income. Today it using 14 percent of their income. Today it takes 40 percent. And today, folks older takes 40 percent. And today, folks older than sixty will get back about $200 for every than sixty will get back about $200 for every $100 they put into Social Security. Gen Xers $100 they put into Social Security. Gen Xers will lose more than $100 for every $450 they will lose more than $100 for every $450 they contribute.contribute.

Adapted from Claire Raines, Adapted from Claire Raines, Beyond Generation X (Beyond Generation X (Menlo Park, Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications, 1997)CA: Crisp Publications, 1997)

Do not make the mistake of Do not make the mistake of buying buying

into the media stereotype of this into the media stereotype of this group…group…

Once again, these are the latch-key kids Once again, these are the latch-key kids all grown up…all grown up…

This group grew up with task lists to be This group grew up with task lists to be completed with minimal supervision…completed with minimal supervision…

““Quality time” is a part of their lexicon – Quality time” is a part of their lexicon – make it worthwhile when you have their make it worthwhile when you have their attention…attention…

Make it clear “what’s on the test?” Make it clear “what’s on the test?”

Style of management?Style of management?

This group, while understanding a This group, while understanding a need for conformity in our work, and need for conformity in our work, and respectful of legitimate authority, respectful of legitimate authority, wants to see referent power in actionwants to see referent power in action

Generation Y (1980 - )Generation Y (1980 - )now 24 years old and youngernow 24 years old and younger

Oklahoma City BombingOklahoma City Bombing The InternetThe Internet Clinton/Lewinsky scandalClinton/Lewinsky scandal Columbine High School MassacreColumbine High School Massacre September 11, 2001September 11, 2001 The popularity of ESPNThe popularity of ESPN

Generation Y – Values and Generation Y – Values and Work EthicWork Ethic

OptimismOptimism Civic DutyCivic Duty ConfidenceConfidence AchievementAchievement SociabilitySociability MoralityMorality Street smartsStreet smarts DiversityDiversity

Collective actionCollective action TenacityTenacity Heroic spiritHeroic spirit Multi-taskingMulti-tasking Technological savvyTechnological savvy Have difficulty Have difficulty

dealing with difficult dealing with difficult people issuespeople issues

Be prepared…Be prepared…

Education and teachingEducation and teaching BusinessBusiness Computer related fieldsComputer related fields LawLaw Psychology Psychology MedicineMedicine

What makes them tick?What makes them tick?

They love a challengeThey love a challenge They function well as team members – They function well as team members –

a bit different from their older siblings a bit different from their older siblings in Gen Xin Gen X

They want to be heroesThey want to be heroes They want to be surrounded by bright, They want to be surrounded by bright,

creative peoplecreative people They want it – right nowThey want it – right now

How do you teach, train, and How do you teach, train, and orient them?orient them?

Allow plenty of orientation timeAllow plenty of orientation time Create a clear, realistic picture of the work Create a clear, realistic picture of the work

environment – good and badenvironment – good and bad Spell out expectations and goalsSpell out expectations and goals Take the time to find out their goals and Take the time to find out their goals and

help them define a strategy for meeting help them define a strategy for meeting themthem

Take note that gender roles of the previous Take note that gender roles of the previous generations do not applygenerations do not apply

The Myths surrounding Gen The Myths surrounding Gen YY

The youth of today are “going to The youth of today are “going to hell in a handbasket.”hell in a handbasket.” Experts believe this is a fine group of Experts believe this is a fine group of

young people who will make heroes of young people who will make heroes of themselves.themselves.

Adapted from Claire Raines, Adapted from Claire Raines, Beyond Generation X (Beyond Generation X (Menlo Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications, 1997)Park, CA: Crisp Publications, 1997)

The Myths surrounding Gen The Myths surrounding Gen YY

Today’s kids are getting a great Today’s kids are getting a great education.education. Not all of them. Gregory Schmidt of the Institute Not all of them. Gregory Schmidt of the Institute

for the Future, Menlo Park, CA, says, “Tomorrow’s for the Future, Menlo Park, CA, says, “Tomorrow’s haves and have-nots are already diverging in haves and have-nots are already diverging in today’s third grade classrooms as they either today’s third grade classrooms as they either advance into the information age or fall behind advance into the information age or fall behind for lack of reading and math skills or access to for lack of reading and math skills or access to computers.” (computers.” (Wall Street JournalWall Street Journal, 2/9/97), 2/9/97)

Adapted from Claire Raines, Adapted from Claire Raines, Beyond Generation X (Beyond Generation X (Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications, 1997)Publications, 1997)

The Myths surrounding Gen The Myths surrounding Gen YY

Kids need to spend more time Kids need to spend more time reading and less time watching reading and less time watching TV and playing video games.TV and playing video games. Kids are spending more time reading. Kids are spending more time reading.

Business Week Business Week reports that surveys reports that surveys show video games cut into TV, not show video games cut into TV, not reading time. (4/19/97)reading time. (4/19/97)

Adapted from Claire Raines, Adapted from Claire Raines, Beyond Generation X (Beyond Generation X (Menlo Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications, 1997)Park, CA: Crisp Publications, 1997)

Some takeaways for this Some takeaways for this generationgeneration

They are a unique mix – a very They are a unique mix – a very independent group politically independent group politically

They are not as conservative as their They are not as conservative as their older siblings in Generation X; however, older siblings in Generation X; however, are not as liberal as their Baby Boomer are not as liberal as their Baby Boomer parents were when they were that ageparents were when they were that age

They are religious, but not in a They are religious, but not in a traditional sensetraditional sense

Don’t forget…Don’t forget…

These are the children who grew up with Ronald These are the children who grew up with Ronald Reagan as “The Great Communicator”Reagan as “The Great Communicator”

Their morality is an outgrowth of being raised in Their morality is an outgrowth of being raised in more conservative timesmore conservative times

They have largely known prosperous times They have largely known prosperous times (despite a few hiccups in the early ’90s)(despite a few hiccups in the early ’90s)

They desire a good education so that they can They desire a good education so that they can make their markmake their mark

Really, they are the Veterans in a different Really, they are the Veterans in a different generationgeneration

What will make them seek out What will make them seek out greener pastures?greener pastures?

They respect legitimate authority, but They respect legitimate authority, but they will follow referent authoritythey will follow referent authority

Work does not bother them, but it needs Work does not bother them, but it needs to be meaningful, not just busy workto be meaningful, not just busy work

Overemphasis on outward appearance – Overemphasis on outward appearance – not overall neatness, but picky on not overall neatness, but picky on insignificant mattersinsignificant matters

Perceived disrespect of their youthPerceived disrespect of their youth

So, what have we learned?So, what have we learned?

Really, X & Y are alright!Really, X & Y are alright! Forget scientific management – the days of “I tell, you Forget scientific management – the days of “I tell, you

do”, are overdo”, are over Referent leadership, with appropriate balance between Referent leadership, with appropriate balance between

boss and team memberboss and team member Give X & Y the chance to succeed, with the appropriate Give X & Y the chance to succeed, with the appropriate

tools needed to get the job done, and they will do ittools needed to get the job done, and they will do it If you believe the stereotypes and media hype, you will If you believe the stereotypes and media hype, you will

miss out on the next great generation of hard workers, miss out on the next great generation of hard workers, willing to sacrifice and make contributions – however, willing to sacrifice and make contributions – however, take consideration of their valuestake consideration of their values

Create your own practical approach to applying OB to Create your own practical approach to applying OB to your folks, and don’t miss an opportunity to let them your folks, and don’t miss an opportunity to let them know how much they are appreciatedknow how much they are appreciated

Questions?

Thank youThank you ReferencesReferences

- - Generations At Work – Managing the Clash of Veterans, Boomers, Xers Generations At Work – Managing the Clash of Veterans, Boomers, Xers and Nexters in Your Workplace, and Nexters in Your Workplace, by Ron Zemke, Claire Raines, and Bob by Ron Zemke, Claire Raines, and Bob Filipczak, 2000Filipczak, 2000- - American Generations: Who They Are, How They Live, What They Think, American Generations: Who They Are, How They Live, What They Think, by Susan Mitchell, 1999by Susan Mitchell, 1999- - Managing Generation Y – Global Citizens Born in the Late Seventies and Managing Generation Y – Global Citizens Born in the Late Seventies and Early Eighties,Early Eighties, by Carolyn A. Martin, Ph.D., and Bruce Tulgan, 2001 by Carolyn A. Martin, Ph.D., and Bruce Tulgan, 2001- - Beyond Generation X, Beyond Generation X, by Claire Raines, 1997by Claire Raines, 1997- - The Next Generation, The Next Generation, edited by Lester Y. Leung, New England Journal of edited by Lester Y. Leung, New England Journal of MedicineMedicine- - New Generation, New Politics, New Generation, New Politics, by Anna Greenberg, taken from by Anna Greenberg, taken from The The American Prospect, American Prospect, Volume 14, No. 9, October 1, 2003Volume 14, No. 9, October 1, 2003- - Law Firms Mull the ‘Gen Y’ Equation, Law Firms Mull the ‘Gen Y’ Equation, by Leigh Jones, The National Law by Leigh Jones, The National Law Journal, March 2, 2005 Journal, March 2, 2005