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Hybrid Leadership:Leading Through the Ebb and Flow of aMulti-Generational Workforce
Dr. Janet Durgin
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This presentation presents realisticchallenges leaders face in relation to
understanding how to effectively lead inthe mixed, contemporary, generationalworkforce of today.
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Purpose
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Traits and trends: from Boomers to Yers and Zers -the
history of Americas future
Solving the generational puzzle: Boomers to Bloggers,myths or realities?
The generation collision: collision or collaboration?
One piece at a time
Executive Summary
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In order to lead effectively, leaders mustseek to understand the past, present andfuture generations to know how historyprecedes and influences those generations
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The Colonial Cycle: 1580 1700 (600,000)
Puritans, Cavaliers, Glorious, Enlighteners
The Revolutionary Cycle: 1701 - 1791 (8,000,000)
Awakeners, Liberty, Republicans, Compromisers
The Civil War Cycle: 1792 - 1859 (50,000,000)
Transcendentals, Gilded, Progressives
The Great Power Cycle: 1860 1942 (200,000,000)
Missionaries, Lost, G.I.s, Silenters
The Millennial Cycle: 1943 2069
(180,000,000 340,000,000 projected by 2025)
Boomers, 13ers, MillennialsHybrid Leadership~
The Cycles
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G.I. Generation (G.I.ers) Born: 1901 1924 Type: Civic
Silent Generation (Silenters) Born: 1925 1944 Type: Adaptive
Boom Generation (Boomers) Born: 1945 1964 Type: Idealist
Thirteenth Generation (13ers/Xer/Yers) Born: 1965 1990 Type: Reactive
Millennial Generation (Millennials) Born: 1991
Type: Civic (?)
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The Generations
A generation is a cohort-group whose lengthapproximates the span of a
phase of life and whose
boundaries are fixed bypeer personality.
(Strauss & Howe, 1991)
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Radio Babies (Silent Gen)Baby Boomers (Boomers)
Gen Xers (Baby Busters)
Gen Yers (Generation Why)
Millennials
Largest Group: Gen Y (80 million) strong
-Baby Boomers (78 million)
-Silent Gen (63 million)
-Gen X (48 million)(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2000)
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Workforce Generations
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Radio Baby (1925 1944) Baby Boomer (1945 1964)
Remember when you can entertainyourself without a TV
One day wanted to join Mickey MouseClub
Remember when TV was black andwhite
Knew who Elvis was before he woresequins
Could stretch a buck 9 ways to Sunday Used a typewriter to write your termpapers
Mowed your yard with a push mower Saw every episode of Leave It ToBeaver
First car had running-boards on it Watched the 1stmans trip to the moonon TV
Listened to Ricky Nelson on the radio
Remember Woodstock
Belief system shaped by:1) Parents views2) Community values3) Views of respected political leaders
Belief system shaped by:1) Views of immediate family2) Friends values and views3) Political events
You Know You Are
(Gravett & Throckmorton, 2007)
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Gen Xer (1965 1976) Gen Yer (1977 1990)
Favorite movies were either Star Warsor ET
Were using a computer by the time youlearned how to read
Remember Atari and many hours ofAsteroids
Have always had an answeringmachine
Road trips with family meant riding
backwards in the station wagon
Had an antique record player and a CD
was a givenTotally remember, like, the days of,like, gag me with a spoon
Have always had cable TV with aremote control
Know who shot JR Make your popcorn in the microwave,not on the stove
Actually owned and played vinylrecords
The Internet has existed as long as youremember
Belief system shaped by:
1) World events as seen on TV2) Friends values and views3) A handful of respected coworkers
Belief system shaped by:
1) Community values and lifestyles2) Grandparents views3) World events as seen on TV
You Know You Are
(Gravett & Throckmorton, 2007)
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Enter the Millennials (1991)
Generational Differences
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=i4JxRqWkNlQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=i4JxRqWkNlQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=i4JxRqWkNlQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=i4JxRqWkNlQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=i4JxRqWkNlQ7/21/2019 Hybrid Leadership Across Generations
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Enter the Millennials (1991)
What scenario describes your experience managingthem? (75 Million have now joined the workforce)
You just explained appropriate corporate protocol only to discover theirquestionable comments and postings sprinkled throughout Facebook,
FourSquare and Twitter
You are perplexed by their informal communication style, both writtenand verbal, with seemingly cryptic acronyms and expressive emoticons
You spent thousands of dollars on new technology for them; trained and
accommodated them, only to see them leave for the seemingly coolercompany with a younger culture
You keep seeing ear-buds when they're hanging out in the officeactually, why does it look like they're hanging out as opposed to
working?
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In order to lead effectively, leaders mustfirst be able to separate the generationalmyths from the realities
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Radio BabiesAre afraid of change
Are too old to work
Baby Boomers
Cant handle technologyAre too bossy
Gen XersAre not loyal
Have no work ethicsGen Yers
Are extremely impatient
Cannot add valueHybrid Leadership~
Myth or Reality?
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Boomers vs. Millennials
Boomers vs. Millenials
Right-to-entitlement syndrome
Raised by parents who praised them for every little thingthey did
Unrealistic expectations
Used to machines doing everything they want
Expect cutting edge technology
Expect conflict-free workplace
Need constant and continual feedback and praise
Expect high salaries at entry-level
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In order to understand how to bridge thegenerational divides, understanding of thecollisions must first be obtained
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Debate over work ethics
Work/life balance wanted by Gen Yers & Millennials
Putting in their time
Loyalty, trust, respect issues
Career /state-of-the-art technology options
Educational/training opportunities
Relaxed dress codes
Flex time/Telecommuting options
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Collision4-level generations working under one roof
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Across Generations:Radio Babies: Express appreciation for their efforts
Baby Boomers: Emphasize their need for input
Gen Xers: Be straight forward and honest, focus on expected results
Gen Yers: Emphasize business reasons for changes they are asked tomake
Provide constructive feedback
Focus on the issues
Emphasize key points
Be specific about what you think or want
Acknowledge others point of view
Avoid hot button language
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Collaboration
(Gravett & Throckmorton, 2007)
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So how do leaders build a bridge that willlead their multi-generational workers to thehalfway point? By building the bridge one
plank at a time, carefully and strategically
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Emotional Intelligence (EI) trumps IQ and tech skills?
Yeah, right.
Self-awareness : knowing ones strengths, weaknesses, drives,values, impacts on others
Self-regulation: controlling or redirecting disruptive impulsesand moods
Motivation: relishing achievement for its own sakeEmpathy: understanding others emotional makeup
Social Skill: building rapport with others to move them indesired directions
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Broaden Your Horizons
(Goleman, 2009)
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Strive to understand the Millennial type and be willingto adapt your leadership styles to them.
Key characteristics Millennials look for in leadership:
Approachability
Active listener
Supportive and understanding work/life balance needs
Integrity
Mentoring ability
Encouraging and supportive attitude
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Adapt to the Future Workforce
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You must know yourself in order to lead effectively in amulti-generational workforce
Do you know your
Strengths and weaknessesHow you perform reader or listener?
Your value system
Where you belong
What you can contribute
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Lets Get Personal,Manage Yourself
(Drucker, 2009)
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In order to lead effectively across multi-generations,
leaders must:
Seek to understand the past, present and future generations toknow how history precedes and influences those generations
Be able to separate the generational myths from the realities
Be willing to bridge the generational divides by seeking to
understand the collisions and how collaboration can be found
Build the bridge one plank at a time, carefully andstrategically, even if it means remodeling your own self
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Conclusion
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Colvin, J. (2009). How to Build great leaders. Fortune, 160(11), 70-79.
Drucker, P. (2009). Managing oneself. Harvard Business Review OnPoint,Winter 2009, 32-42.
Goleman, D. (2009). What makes a leader. Harvard Business Review OnPoint,Winter 2009, 44-53.
Gravett, L, & Throckmorton, R. (2007). Bridging the generation gap. Franklin
Lakes: Career Press.
Strauss, W, & Howe, N. (1991). Generations: the history of America's future,1584 to 2069. New York: Harper Perennial.
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References