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Bridging the Bridging the Generation Gap in the Generation Gap in the Workplace Workplace Presented by: Michelle Crandall Director of Administrative Services for the City of Dublin Email: [email protected] Sharon Zimmers, Ph.D Director of Ohio North Central Association Commission on School Improvement and Accreditation Email: [email protected]

Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

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Page 1: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Bridging the Generation Bridging the Generation Gap in the WorkplaceGap in the Workplace

Presented by:

Michelle CrandallDirector of Administrative Services for the City of Dublin

Email: [email protected]

Sharon Zimmers, Ph.D Director of Ohio North Central Association Commission on

School Improvement and AccreditationEmail: [email protected]

Page 2: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

What Generations Exist What Generations Exist in the Workplacein the Workplace

Traditionalists Traditionalists – Born between 1927 - 1945 Born between 1927 - 1945

BoomersBoomers– Born between 1946 - 1964Born between 1946 - 1964

Gen XersGen Xers– Born between 1965 - 1981 Born between 1965 - 1981

MillennialsMillennials– Born between 1982 – Present (?)Born between 1982 – Present (?)

Page 3: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

What Generations Exist What Generations Exist in the Workplacein the Workplace

Traditionalists 46.5 Million Traditionalists 46.5 Million Boomers 79.9 MillionBoomers 79.9 Million Gen Xers Gen Xers 58.5 Million58.5 Million Millennials 80.0 Million Millennials 80.0 Million (?) (?)

Page 4: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

What Defines a What Defines a Generation?Generation?

““The events and conditions each of The events and conditions each of us experiences during our formative us experiences during our formative years determines who we are and years determines who we are and

how we see the world. how we see the world.

As a result of these events and As a result of these events and conditions, each generation has conditions, each generation has adopted its own “generational adopted its own “generational

personality.”personality.”

- Lynne Lancaster and David - Lynne Lancaster and David StillmanStillman

When Generations CollideWhen Generations Collide

Page 5: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

What this Means in Our What this Means in Our Workplace?Workplace?

Each generation brings its own set of Each generation brings its own set of beliefs, values, culture, perspectives, beliefs, values, culture, perspectives, likes, dislikes and skills/traits to the likes, dislikes and skills/traits to the

workplaceworkplace

Page 6: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Why Should We Care?Why Should We Care?

We know these differences impact We know these differences impact our employees and the effectiveness our employees and the effectiveness and productivity of our businessesand productivity of our businesses

A great labor shortage is beginning A great labor shortage is beginning to occur…to occur…

– We need to be able to attract and We need to be able to attract and retain the best and brightest of retain the best and brightest of all four all four generationsgenerations in order to remain in order to remain competitive.competitive.

Page 7: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Workplace ReadinessWorkplace Readiness

Sixty percent of the federal Sixty percent of the federal government’s workforce is government’s workforce is eligible for retirement in the next eligible for retirement in the next 10 years.10 years.

Ninety percent of them are Ninety percent of them are senior executives.senior executives.

Source: U.S. Office of Personnel ManagementSource: U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Page 8: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

ExerciseExercise

TraditionalistsTraditionalists Baby BoomersBaby Boomers Gen XersGen Xers MillennialsMillennials

Issues that defined each generationIssues that defined each generation

Page 9: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Traditionalists Traditionalists Born Between 1927 - 1945Born Between 1927 - 1945

““The difficult we do at once; the The difficult we do at once; the impossible takes a bit longer.”impossible takes a bit longer.”

-Motto of the Seabees-Motto of the Seabees

Page 10: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

TraditionalistsTraditionalistsEvents that Define ThemEvents that Define Them

Stock Market Crash Stock Market Crash Great DepressionGreat Depression FDR and the New DealFDR and the New Deal The Dust BowlThe Dust Bowl Pearl Harbor – enter WWIIPearl Harbor – enter WWII D-day in NormandyD-day in Normandy Korean WarKorean War

Page 11: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

TraditionalistsTraditionalistsWhat They Are Rebelling What They Are Rebelling

AgainstAgainst Economic and national condition Economic and national condition

of the country –responsible for of the country –responsible for respondingresponding

Generation battle cry of:Generation battle cry of:– ““Bear any burden, pay any price” …Bear any burden, pay any price” …

and “do it big”and “do it big”– Re-build the U.S. back into a great Re-build the U.S. back into a great

countrycountry

Page 12: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

TraditionalistsTraditionalistsTheir Preferred Work Their Preferred Work

CultureCulture

Command and Control Command and Control Leadership Leadership

Clear DirectionClear Direction Clear Roles and ResponsibilitiesClear Roles and Responsibilities Security and StabilitySecurity and Stability Like TeamsLike Teams Work Ethic/Work Focused – “Work Work Ethic/Work Focused – “Work

is not equal to fun.”is not equal to fun.”

Page 13: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

TraditionalistsTraditionalistsWhat Other Generations Say About What Other Generations Say About

ThemThem

Boomers say they are:Boomers say they are:– Rigid and resistant to changeRigid and resistant to change– Technologically challengedTechnologically challenged– Narrow in their viewNarrow in their view– DictatorialDictatorial

Page 14: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

TraditionalistsTraditionalistsWhat Other Generations Say About What Other Generations Say About

ThemThem

Gen Xers say they are:Gen Xers say they are:– Set in their waysSet in their ways– Need to learn how to use e-mailNeed to learn how to use e-mail– The ones with all the money The ones with all the money

Page 15: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

TraditionalistsTraditionalistsWhat Other Generations Say About What Other Generations Say About

ThemThem

Millennials say they are:Millennials say they are:– TrustworthyTrustworthy– Good LeadersGood Leaders– BraveBrave

Page 16: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Baby BoomersBaby BoomersBorn Between 1946 and 1964Born Between 1946 and 1964

Those born during or after World War Those born during or after World War II and raised in the era of extreme II and raised in the era of extreme

optimism, opportunity, and progressoptimism, opportunity, and progress

Page 17: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Baby BoomersBaby BoomersEvents that Define ThemEvents that Define Them

TelevisionTelevision Civil Rights MovementCivil Rights Movement ProsperityProsperity Family PlanningFamily Planning JFK, MLK and RFK assassinatedJFK, MLK and RFK assassinated WoodstockWoodstock Vietnam WarVietnam War Kent StateKent State Rock and RollRock and Roll

Page 18: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Baby BoomersBaby Boomers

What are they rebelling against?What are they rebelling against?

Established social norms of the Established social norms of the TraditionalistTraditionalist

Effective due to large numberEffective due to large number

Page 19: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Baby BoomersBaby BoomersCore ValuesCore Values

OptimismOptimism Team orientationTeam orientation Personal gratificationPersonal gratification Health and wellnessHealth and wellness Personal growthPersonal growth YouthYouth WorkWork InvolvementInvolvement

Page 20: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Baby BoomersBaby BoomersTheir Preferred Work Their Preferred Work

CultureCulture Like opportunity and securityLike opportunity and security Most like work environments that Most like work environments that

are democraticare democratic Advocate teams and team Advocate teams and team

building, consensus and building, consensus and participative managementparticipative management

Want to prove themselves so Want to prove themselves so they are good at delivering they are good at delivering service service

Page 21: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Baby Boomers Baby Boomers What Other Generations Say About What Other Generations Say About

ThemThem Traditionalists say…Traditionalists say…

“ “They are self-absorbed”They are self-absorbed”

“ “They talk about things they They talk about things they ought to keep private…like ought to keep private…like intimate details of their personal intimate details of their personal lives”lives”

Generations At WorkGenerations At Work, Zemke, Raines, Filipczak, Zemke, Raines, Filipczak

Page 22: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Baby Boomers Baby Boomers What Other Generations Say About What Other Generations Say About

ThemThem

Gen Xers say…Gen Xers say…

“ “They are self-righteous.”They are self-righteous.”

“ “They are workaholics.”They are workaholics.”

“ “They do a great job of talking the They do a great job of talking the talk, but they don’t walk the walk.”talk, but they don’t walk the walk.”

Generations At WorkGenerations At Work, Zemke, Raines, Filipczak, Zemke, Raines, Filipczak

Page 23: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Baby Boomers Baby Boomers What Other Generations Say About What Other Generations Say About

ThemThem

Millennials say…Millennials say…

“ “They’re cool. They are up to They’re cool. They are up to date on the music we like.” date on the music we like.”

“ “They work too much.”They work too much.”

Generations At WorkGenerations At Work, Zemke, Raines, Filipczak, Zemke, Raines, Filipczak

Page 24: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Gen XersGen XersBorn Between 1965 - 1981Born Between 1965 - 1981

A generation born in the shadows of A generation born in the shadows of the Boomersthe Boomers

Page 25: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Gen XersGen Xers

““It’s no wonder Xers are angst-ridden and It’s no wonder Xers are angst-ridden and rudderless. They feel America’s rudderless. They feel America’s

greatness has passed. They got to the greatness has passed. They got to the cocktail party twenty minutes too late, cocktail party twenty minutes too late,

and all that’s left are those little wieners and all that’s left are those little wieners and a half-empty bottle of Zima.”and a half-empty bottle of Zima.”

Dennis MillerDennis Miller

RANTSRANTS

Page 26: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Gen XersGen XersEvents that Define ThemEvents that Define Them

Nixon ResignsNixon Resigns Energy CrisisEnergy Crisis Divorce Rate + 2 Working ParentsDivorce Rate + 2 Working Parents Technology RevolutionTechnology Revolution Stock Market CrashStock Market Crash Corporate DownsizingCorporate Downsizing Fall of Berlin WallFall of Berlin Wall Challenger DisasterChallenger Disaster Operation Desert StormOperation Desert Storm Rodney King and L.A. RiotsRodney King and L.A. Riots

Page 27: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Gen XersGen Xers

What are they rebelling against?What are they rebelling against?

Work/life imbalance of the Work/life imbalance of the BoomersBoomers

Page 28: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Gen XersGen XersTheir Values and BeliefsTheir Values and Beliefs

Self RelianceSelf Reliance Balance in LifeBalance in Life Technoliteracy is the answerTechnoliteracy is the answer Approach to authority is casualApproach to authority is casual Informality – less “corporate”Informality – less “corporate” Don’t care for politics in the Don’t care for politics in the

workplaceworkplace SkepticalSkeptical Have fun at workHave fun at work

Page 29: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Gen XersWhat Other Generations Say About

Them

Traditionalists say:

– They don’t respect experience– They don’t follow procedures– They don’t know what hard work is

Page 30: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Gen XersWhat Other Generations Say About

Them Boomers say:

– They are slackers– They are rude and lack social skills– They are always doing things “their

own way”– They spend too much time on the

Internet and e-mail– They won’t wait their turn

Page 31: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Gen XersWhat Other Generations Say About

Them

Millennials say:

Cheer up already!

Page 32: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

MillennialsMillennials(also known as (also known as Generation Y)Generation Y)Born After 1981Born After 1981

A flip-flop wearing, I-pod toting, A flip-flop wearing, I-pod toting, multi-tasking generation that is multi-tasking generation that is

optimistic and ready to change the optimistic and ready to change the world and your workplace! world and your workplace!

Page 33: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

MillennialsMillennialsEvents that Define ThemEvents that Define Them

Oklahoma City bombingOklahoma City bombing School violenceSchool violence TechnologyTechnology Busy, over planned livesBusy, over planned lives Clinton/LewinskyClinton/Lewinsky MulticulturalismMulticulturalism TV talk showsTV talk shows September 11thSeptember 11th

Page 34: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

MillennialsMillennialsWhat are they rebelling What are they rebelling

against?against?

Complacency of the Gen XersComplacency of the Gen Xers

They are ready to change the They are ready to change the world… for the betterworld… for the better

……and they have the numbers to and they have the numbers to do itdo it

Page 35: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

MillennialsMillennialsCore ValuesCore Values

Civic DutyCivic Duty Achievement – in all aspects of Achievement – in all aspects of

lifelife DiversityDiversity ConfidenceConfidence OptimismOptimism Goal OrientedGoal Oriented

Page 36: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

The Age of the “Helicopter The Age of the “Helicopter Parent”Parent”

Hovers near at all times ready to swoop in Hovers near at all times ready to swoop in and save the child from whatever peril may and save the child from whatever peril may face him/herface him/her

Wants to contact professors, bosses and HR Wants to contact professors, bosses and HR to correct grades, salaries and working to correct grades, salaries and working conditionsconditions

Page 37: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Millennials - Millennials - were bombarded with a unique set of compelling messages growing

up…

Be smart—you are special Leave no one behind Connect 24/7 Achieve now Serve your community (Fifty percent of high school students reported volunteering in their communities—On one Roper Survey, Millennials were asked for the major cause of problems in the US, they answered--selfishness

Page 38: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

MillennialsMillennialsTheir Preferred Work Their Preferred Work

CultureCulture ““Millennials resemble the Millennials resemble the

Traditionalists in many ways—Traditionalists in many ways—they believe in collective action, they believe in collective action, optimism about the future, trust optimism about the future, trust in centralized authority, a in centralized authority, a willingness to get things done, willingness to get things done, and a heroic spirit in the face of and a heroic spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.”overwhelming odds.”

Generations At WorkGenerations At Work, Zemke, Raines, Filipczak, Zemke, Raines, Filipczak

Page 39: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

MillennialsMillennialsTheir Preferred Work Their Preferred Work

CultureCulture CollaborativeCollaborative Diverse and InclusiveDiverse and Inclusive Goal-orientedGoal-oriented SociableSociable Civic focused – a company that Civic focused – a company that

cares about social and/or cares about social and/or environmental issuesenvironmental issues

ChallengingChallenging Lots of opportunity to learn and Lots of opportunity to learn and

growgrow

Page 40: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Cone Millennial Cause Study Cone Millennial Cause Study (October 2006)(October 2006)

83% will trust a company more if it is 83% will trust a company more if it is socially/environmentally responsiblesocially/environmentally responsible

79% want to work for a company that 79% want to work for a company that cares about how it impacts and cares about how it impacts and contributes to societycontributes to society

42% who volunteer weekly describe 42% who volunteer weekly describe their “ideal” work environment as their “ideal” work environment as one that will make the world a better one that will make the world a better place (outranking all other factors, place (outranking all other factors, including high salary)including high salary)

Page 41: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Workplace Expectations of the Workplace Expectations of the

Millennial GenerationMillennial Generation

74 percent of employers said 74 percent of employers said these workers expect to be paid these workers expect to be paid wellwell

61 percent expect to have flexible 61 percent expect to have flexible work scheduleswork schedules

50 percent expect to have more 50 percent expect to have more vacation or personal timevacation or personal time

56 percent expect to be promoted 56 percent expect to be promoted within a yearwithin a year

Page 42: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Managing Millennials – What Managing Millennials – What do They Want From do They Want From

Managers?Managers? You be the leaderYou be the leader – grew up – grew up

structured and supervised and structured and supervised and are looking for a role model are looking for a role model

Challenge meChallenge me … or I’ll find … or I’ll find someone else who willsomeone else who will

Let me work with my friendsLet me work with my friends Let’s have fun!Let’s have fun! Respect me and my ideasRespect me and my ideas Be flexibleBe flexible – I have many other – I have many other

parts to my life I need to fit inparts to my life I need to fit in

Page 43: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

MillennialsMillennialsWhat Other Generations Say About What Other Generations Say About

ThemThem Traditionalists say…Traditionalists say…

“ “They have good manners.”They have good manners.”

“ “They’re smart little critters.”They’re smart little critters.”

“ “They watch too much TV…with They watch too much TV…with

crude language and crude language and violence.”violence.”

Generations At WorkGenerations At Work, Zemke, Raines, Filipczak, Zemke, Raines, Filipczak

Page 44: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

MillennialsMillennials What Other Generations Say About What Other Generations Say About

ThemThem Boomers Boomers say…say…

“ “They’re cute.They’re cute.

“ “They can set the time on the They can set the time on the DVD/VCR.” “They need to learn to DVD/VCR.” “They need to learn to entertain themselves; they need entertain themselves; they need too much attention.”too much attention.”

Generations At WorkGenerations At Work, Zemke, Raines, Filipczak, Zemke, Raines, Filipczak

Page 45: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

MillennialsMillennials What Other Generations Say About What Other Generations Say About

ThemThem Gen Xers say…Gen Xers say…

““Here we go again…another self- Here we go again…another self- absorbed generation of spoiled brats.”absorbed generation of spoiled brats.”

“ “What do you mean, “What’s an What do you mean, “What’s an album?”album?”

Generations At WorkGenerations At Work, Zemke, Raines, Filipczak, Zemke, Raines, Filipczak

Page 46: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Managing the Generational Managing the Generational MixMix

As companies’ cultures evolve As companies’ cultures evolve with each generation…with each generation…

You have the unique challenge to You have the unique challenge to ensure that work teams become ensure that work teams become and remain culturally and and remain culturally and generationally diverse because of generationally diverse because of the wealth of information and the wealth of information and experience that individual team experience that individual team members can offer.members can offer.

Page 47: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Managing the Generational Managing the Generational MixMix

Organizations that emerge as Organizations that emerge as winners in the battle for talent winners in the battle for talent will have their fingers on the will have their fingers on the pulse of the newest generation. pulse of the newest generation. They’ll design specific techniques They’ll design specific techniques for for recruitingrecruiting, , managingmanaging, , motivatingmotivating, and , and retainingretaining them. them.

Page 48: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Attracting, Retaining and Attracting, Retaining and Motivating Means…Motivating Means…

Thinking differently to accommodate Thinking differently to accommodate differences in perspectives and differences in perspectives and workplace expectations.workplace expectations.

Flexibility in how we design and Flexibility in how we design and implement recognition, feedback, implement recognition, feedback, recruitment, orientation, benefits, recruitment, orientation, benefits, teams… and on and on.teams… and on and on.

““One size fits all” won’t work if we One size fits all” won’t work if we want our companies to remain want our companies to remain employers of choice.employers of choice.

Page 49: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

To Sum It All UpTo Sum It All Up

Page 50: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

To Sum It All UpTo Sum It All Up

Page 51: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

ReferencesReferences

Generations At WorkGenerations At Work, Zemke, Raines, , Zemke, Raines, Filipczak, 2000Filipczak, 2000

When Generations CollideWhen Generations Collide, Lancaster , Lancaster and Stillman, 2002and Stillman, 2002

Millennials RisingMillennials Rising, Howe, Strauss, 2000, Howe, Strauss, 2000 Geezers, grungers, gen-Xers and geeks-Geezers, grungers, gen-Xers and geeks-

a look at workplace generational a look at workplace generational conflictconflict, Tony Diromualdo, 8/14/06, Tony Diromualdo, 8/14/06

Page 52: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

ReferencesReferences

The Fourth TurningThe Fourth Turning, Strauss and , Strauss and Howe, 1997Howe, 1997

How Veterans, Baby boomers, How Veterans, Baby boomers, Generation Xers and Generation Generation Xers and Generation Nexters Can All Get Along in the Nexters Can All Get Along in the WorkplaceWorkplace, Zemke, Raines, Filipczak, , Zemke, Raines, Filipczak, 20062006

Page 53: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Communicating with Gen X and Millennials (Gen Y)

TECHNOLOGY

Gen X—keep it up to date and motivating. Music at work, BlackBerrys, IM, and fast technology

Millennials—More comfortable with technology than any other group—learn from them

Page 54: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Communicating with Gen x andMillennials (Gen Y)

COMPENSATION

Gen X—Be willing to negotiate. Gen X has the experience to make them marketable. Consider offering perks like a better title or a flexible work schedule if you can’t budge on compensation

Millennials—Highlight the importance of building their resume instead of their bank account. An impressive work history can make all the difference in a slumping economy

Page 55: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Communicating with gen X and Millennials (Gen Y)

COLLABORATION

Gen X—Limit in-person meetings. Offer alternatives like conference calls, video and, Web conferencing when collaboration is truly needed. For face to face meetings, stick to small productive groups and skip long planning sessions.

Millennials—they started online social networks. Think about how you can leverage them in the workplace to encourage team collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Page 56: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Communicating with Gen X and Millennials (Gen Y)

ATTIRE

GenX—Give them a heads up if they should dress nicer for specific meeting or when customers are visiting the office.

Millennials—They’re new to the job market and might be oblivious to your company’s culture. Let them know dressing better will help defeat “slacker” misconceptions, build credibility with execs, and help their career over the long haul—especially in a weak economy.

Page 57: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Communicating with gen X and Millennials (Gen Y)

SOCIALIZING

Gen X—Invite but don’t push them to participate. They’re used to being overlooked by boomers and tend to dislike corporate politics anyway.

Millennials—Appeal to their career goals. Millennials are more likely to attend a networking event that will expand their personal contacts.

Page 58: Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Communicating with Gen X and Millennials (Gen Y)

CORPORATE LOYALTY

Gen X—Limit bureaucracy. Provide access to information and resources without burdening them with corporate politics and excessive meetings.

Millennials—Don’t discount them because of their age. Despite the weakening economy, Millennials tend to job-hop—especially if they think they’re being judged on “seniority” instead of “quality.”