Current and Future Generational Issues

Katie Kessler MSN RN

Generational Issues: Current and Future

Workforce of Today

Workforce of Tomorrow

• Millennials are now the largest Labor Force in the United States

• Largest generation in the U.S. - one third of the population

• Most diverse and educated generation to date

• 42% identify with a race other than white, non-Hispanic (twice that of baby boomers)

• 61% attended college ( Baby Boomers – 46%)

Four Generations of Nurses in Workforce

The Issue……

• Members of each generation still operate as if their values and expectations are universal

• Unquestioned assumptions can result in misinterpretation between generations

What is a generation?

Cohorts of people who share birth years, history and collective personality as a result of their defining experiences. (Zemke et al 2000)

Typically span 15-20 years

Historical, political and social events define a generation

Generational Diversity

Generational diversity challenges created by differences in:

Attitudes

Beliefs

Work habits

Expectations of work

Generational Characteristics

• Traditionalists (1922-1943)• Cherry Ames

• Baby Boomers – (1946-1961)• Nurse Colleen McMurphy

• Generation X – (1961- 1981)• Nurse Hathaway

• Millennials – (1981 – 2001)• Johnson & Johnson ads

• Generation Z – (2002-present)

Silent Generation – Ages 71-116• Colin Powell

• Elvis Presley

• Martin Luther King Jr

• Gloria Steinhem

• Sandra Day O’Connor

Silent Generation

• Loyal

• Hard working

• Dedicated

• Conformist

• Respect for Authority

• Personal responsibility for work/workplace

• Detail oriented

Silent Generation Life Events

• Post Depression Children

• Children during World War II

• Korean War

• Atom Bomb and Cold War

• Rotary phones

• Labor saving appliances

Personal and Lifestyle characteristics by GenerationTraditionalists (1922-45)

Core ValuesRespect for authority

Conformers, Discipline

FamilyTraditional Nuclear

Education A dream

Communication

Media

Rotary phones

One on one

Write a memo

Money

Finances

Put it away

Pay cash

Coaching and Motivating

• One on one coaching that is formal and gives specifics on how to improve

• Value on seniority and experience

• Hand written notes, plaques and pictures with leaders are important signs of recognition

Baby Boomers – Ages 52-70

Famous Boomers

• Bill and Hillary Clinton

• George W and Laura Bush

• Oprah

• Steve Jobs

• Bill Gates

• Bruce Springsteen

• Jon Stewart

Baby Boomer Life Events

• Post War Boom

• Suburbia childhood

• Civil Rights Movement

• Women’s Movement

• JFK, RFK, MLK

• Vietnam War

Baby Boomers

• 78 million strong• Team oriented• Personal gratification• Forever young• Workaholics• Build a lifetime career• Lifelong learning and self

improvement

Baby Boomers

• Many delaying retirement for personal and/or financial reasons

• 63% plan to work part time after retirement

• 5% never plan to retire

Baby Boomers

• Many delaying retirement for personal and/or financial reasons

• 63% plan to work part time after retirement

• 5% never plan to retire

Personal and Lifestyle Characteristics by Generation Baby Boomers (1946-64)

Core ValuesOptimism

Involvement

Family

Nuclear families

Disintegrating by 1970’s

Education A birthright

Communication

Media

Touch tone phones

Call me anytime

Money

Finances

Buy now

Pay later

Coaching and Motivating Boomers

Collegiality and participation in coaching relationships

Peer to peer

Lifelong learning as a way to improve performance

Public recognition

Perks like parking spaces, newsletter recognition and professional award nominations

Generation X – Age 36-51

Famous Gen Xers

• Princess Diana

• Barack and Michelle Obama

• Will Smith

• Michael Jordan

• Cast of “Friends”

• Tiger Woods

Gen X Life Events

• First PCs

• HIV/AIDS epidemic

• Challenger Disaster

• Fall of Communism and Berlin Wall

• Desert Storm

Generation Xers

• Multitask well

• Flexible/adaptable

• Independent

• Comfortable with Technology

• Balance in life

• Prefer to work alone

• Self reliant

• Used to change

• Want to get the job done

Personal and Lifestyle characteristics by Generation Generation X (1965-80)

Core ValuesSkepticism

Fun and Informality

Family Latchkey kids

Education A way to get there

Communication

Media

Cell phones

Call me at work

Money

Finances

Cautious and conservative

Save, save, save

Coaching and Motivating Xers

• Need to demonstrate expertise and not be micromanaged

• Rapid progress toward goals

• Career advancement based on merit

• Paid time off or cash awards

• Participation in cutting edge projects

Millennial Generation – Ages 16-36

Famous Millennials

• Mark Zuckerberg

• Taylor Swift

• Le Bron James

• Princes William and Harry

• Justin Bieber

Millennial Life Events

• Digital Age

• Social Media

• Oklahoma City and Columbine

• 9- 11

Millennials• Accept authority

• Balance work and personal life

• Direct

• Optimistic

• Rule follower

• Self confident

• Socially aware

• Team Player

• Involved

• Culturally diverse

Millennial Information Mindset

• Technology natives

• Social media is part of every aspect of life

• Developing the “sharing economy”

• Reality is no longer real – lots of views and evolving truths

• Doing is more important than knowing –half-life of knowledge is short

• Zero tolerance for delays

Personal and Lifestyle Characteristics by Generation Millennial (1980-2000)

Core Values

Realism

Confidence

Extreme fun and social

Family Merged families

Education Incredibly expensive

Communication

Media

Texting, other social media

Smart phones

Money

FinancesEarn to spend

Coaching and Motivating Millennials

• Expect a lot of coaching and mentoring

• Want structure, guidance and extensive orientation

• Personal feedback

• Opportunities for self development

• Flexible scheduling is key

• High turnover if expectations are not met

The caveat….

• What happens when millennial workers interact with individuals who do not have access to technology or have not learned to use it?• Poor and underserved populations

• Older adults

• Traditional thinkers

Generation Z: The Founders (2002- )

• All about social media

• Global Citizens from birth

• Live in the moment –Snapchat, Instagram

• Competitive and Independent

• Inclusive and Tolerant

• Want to Stand Out

Questions?

kkessler51@gmail.com