FROM ONE GENERATION TO ANOTHER: MENTORING GEN XERS AND MILLENNIALSRev. Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi, Ph.D.CHHSM Annual Meeting – February 28, 2014
Overview Review of Generation X and Millennial
personalities and work traits Similarities and differences between the
generations Leading and mentoring Generation X Leading and mentoring Millennials
The Generation X Personality
Self-reliant Wants balance Has a nontraditional orientation
about time and space Likes informality Pragmatic Approach to authority is casual Cynical Continues to be technologically
savvy Attracted to the edge
Generation X at Work Assets Adaptability Technoliteracy Independence Creativity Willingness to
buck the system
Liabilities Skeptical Impatient Distrustful of
authority Inept at office
politics Less attracted
to leadership
The Millennial Personality Resiliently optimistic Digital native Collaborative Goal and achievement
oriented
Diverse Confident
Millennials at Work
Assets Collective action Optimism Tenacity Heroic spirit Multitasking
capabilities Technological
savvy Adept at change
Liabilities Need for
supervision and structure
Demand for constant feedback
Helicopter parents Family events
trump work
Similarities between Gen Xers and Millennials
Technologically savvy Loyal to people but not to organizations Turned off by leaders who place
monetary-driven (greed-driven) personal, company, and shareholder agendas before the good of humanity
Appreciate constructive feedback on performance
Source: Walsh, Gwen, “Baby Boomers: Relating to X’s and Y’s,” Tech Edge LLC, http://techedgellc.com/the-gen-xers-millennials-tidal-wave-is-upon-us-how-are-you-tackling-the-great-divide/#sthash.ZUhOCwdN.dpuf
Differences between Gen Xers and MillennialsMillennials Millennials expect
to work more than 40 hours a week to achieve the lifestyle they want
Prefer collaboration and working in teams
Appreciate frequent
engagement Gen X Don’t see the point
of working beyond the standard number of hours
Prefer to work independently
Appreciate freedom Source: Zemke, et. al. Generations at Work.
Generation X and Baby Boomers Irritated that Baby Boomers are blocking
their way to advancement Some Baby Boomers in key leadership
positions are behaving as “lame ducks” (to put it bluntly)
Source: Walsh, Gwen, “Baby Boomers: Relating to X’s and Y’s,” Tech Edge LLC, http://techedgellc.com/the-gen-xers-millennials-tidal-wave-is-upon-us-how-are-you-tackling-the-great-divide/#sthash.ZUhOCwdN.dpuf
Leading / Motivating / Mentoring: Gen X
Encourage self-directed learning Offer nongroup-meeting formats In presenting information to Gen Xers, get
right to the material and demonstrate expertise
Give time and space to pursue their own projects and ideas
Offer access to good technology (rather than a bigger office)
Make them feel like insiders Pitch office politics as a way to get around
rules Provide coaching that gives them
responsibility for their own work issuesSource: Zemke, et. al. Generations at Work.
Leading / Motivating / Mentoring: Gen X
Messages that Motivate I don’t care how you get it done. I’m not going to micromanage you. Our team has a good sense of humor.
Source: Zemke, et. al. Generations at Work.
- In what ways are your experiences with Gen Xers similar or different than what you’ve heard today?
- What are some best practices you’ve developed in working with Gen Xers?
Discussion
Millennials and Baby Boomers
Issues with effectively engaging Millennials in key areas: Connecting on a human-to-human basis Understanding what motivates Millennials Providing 1×1 value-add, real-time
mentoring, coaching and feedback Working with Millennials to create career
paths Communicating with Millennials using
engaging technologies Supporting Millennials’ work/life balance
needs Creating sustainable virtual teams (which, by
the way, save organizations huge quantifiable dollars plus increase productivity if thoughtfully planned and implemented)
Source: Walsh, Gwen, “Baby Boomers: Relating to X’s and Y’s,” Tech Edge LLC, http://techedgellc.com/the-gen-xers-millennials-tidal-wave-is-upon-us-how-are-you-tackling-the-great-divide/#sthash.ZUhOCwdN.dpuf
Leading / Motivating / Mentoring: Millennials
Help us learn. Believe in us. Tune in to our technology. Connect us. Let us make it our own. Tell us how we’re doing. Be approachable. Plug in to our parents. Be someone we can believe in.Source: Zemke, et. al. Generations at Work.
Source: Jeanne C. Meister and Karie Willyerd, “Mentoring Millennials.” Harvard
Business Review, May 2010, http://hbr.org/2010/05/mentoring-millennials/ar/1
Leading / Motivating / Mentoring: Millennials
Messages that Motivate You can make a difference here. You will have a clear career path so you can keep moving
ahead. You will work on a team with other bright, creative people. You can be a hero here.
Source: Zemke, et. al. Generations at Work.
- In what ways are your experiences with Millennials similar or different than what you’ve heard today?
- What are some best practices you’ve developed in working with Millennials?
Discussion
Questions?
Contact:
Rev. Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi, Ph.D.Director Center for Analytics, Research and Data (CARD)United Church of [email protected] x3866
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