Ken Eastman Department of Management Oklahoma State University
From Traditionals to Millenials: Leading Generations at Work 1
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Caveats Generalizations, not stereotypes Remember, individuals
will differ within a generation Some differences due to life-stage
differences Keep your mind and lines of communication open! 2
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Five Generations GenerationBirth Years Traditionalists
(Matures, Silents, Schwarzkopfs) 1922 1945 Baby Boomers
Woodstockers Generation Jones 1946-1964 1946-1953 16% 1954-1964 26%
Generation Xers (Xers, Post Boomers) 1965-1977 Generation
Yers1978-1989 Millenials1990-Present Gravett & Throckmorton,
2007 and Martin & Tulgan, 2006 5
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Five Major Life Shaping Forces Parents/Family Schools/Education
Religion/Morality Friends/Peers Media/Culture 6 6
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Traditionalists: Defining Events The Great Depression The New
Deal World War II GI-Bill Golden Age of Radio 7 7
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Traditionalists: Core Values Loyalty Commitment Strong Work
Ethic Patriotism Law & Order Respect for Authority Patience
Delayed Reward 8 8
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Boomers: Defining Events Woodstockers Civil Rights
Assassinations Summer of Love Vietnam War Space Race/Moon Landing
Jones Watergate Gas Lines Iranian Hostages Womens Liberation 9
Millenials 9/11 Helicopter parents German reunification Soviet
Union collapses Gulf war Space station launched 15
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Millenials: Core Values Still being discovered Uber-Gen Yers
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Clashpoints Collisions at work between people of two different
generations Occur around career goals, rewards, balancing work and
home, retirement and having fun at work People from different
generations have different values, views of authority, and
communication styles Lancaster & Stillman, 2002 17
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Authority GenerationView TraditionalsChain of Command
BoomersChange of Command Gen XersSelf-Command Gen YersCollaborate,
not Command 18
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Work-Life Balance GenerationView TraditionalsSupport me in
shifting the balance. BoomersHelp me balance everyone and find
meaning. Gen XersGive me balance now! Gen YersGive me flexibility.
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What Younger Workers Want in a Boss Approachable Active
listener Supports life-balance Provides regular feedback Doesnt
micro-manage Encourages growth 20
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Younger Workers Need to Manage Up Show some loyalty Have some
patience Be a team player Appear positive Make your boss look good
Lancaster & Stillman, 2002 21
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Summary Generations should be a part of any diversity
management program Be aware of generalizations, but be wary of
stereotypes Be open to differences We were all young once! 22