talking 'bout my generation: understanding a multi-generational...
TRANSCRIPT
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Talking 'Bout My Generation:
Understanding a
Multi-Generational Workforce
WASHRM
September 24, 2014
Presented by:
Judy Whipp Mills, MBA
Adjunct Trainer, Workforce Solutions
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•What are the 4 generations?
•Why should we recruit the 4 generations?
•How can we best train each generation?
•How can we best communicate across the
generations?
•Q&A
Objectives
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•Knowing what era
people grew up in helps
predict their general
attitudes, characteristics,
and values
•Aids in managing and
retaining employees of
all ages
Why Bother?
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•Traditionalists/Veterans
(before 1945)
•Baby Boomers (1946 – 1964)
•Generation X (1965 – 1980)
•Generation Y/Millennials
(1980 – 1994)
The Four Generations
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Traditionalists’ Attributes & Values
Highly dedicated Detail-oriented
Hard working Willing to make sacrifices
Respect authority Like to follow a process
Like structure Stay for the long-haul
Duty before pleasure Conformity
Law and order Adherence to rules
Waste not, want not
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Baby Boomers’ Attributes & Values
Love/hate authority Work hard and long hours
Results-driven Cynical, but loyal
Self-focused Want immediate gratification
Good team players Willing to go the extra mile
Service oriented Want respect
Competitive Like consensus
I am what I do attitude
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Gen Xers’ Attributes & Values
Independent/self-reliant Want to have fun
Training/learning focused Technologically savvy
Like informality Learn quickly
Seek work/life balance Embrace diversity
Think globally Cynical
Question authority Clever
Give respect when earned Resourceful
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Millennials’ Attributes & Values Self-confident Technologically savvy
Like informality Learn quickly
Need supervision Want meaningful work
Open to feedback Like working on a team
Outspoken Expect constant learning
Live in the moment Value serving community
Hopeful, idealistic Determined
Open-minded Well-educated
Multi-taskers Instant gratification
Loyal to individuals, not organizations
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• Born 1995 & after
• Ages 19 & younger
• Aka Generation “I”,
Generation Alpha
• Learned how to navigate
the Internet as toddlers
• Stay tuned… more to
come in a few years!
Generation Z
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Why Recruit Traditionalists?
Traditionalists: Fact or Fiction?
Facts:
• They have fewer on-the-job
accidents than other
generations
• They are willing students when training is done right
• The US Dept. of Health
reports they are just as
productive as younger generations
• They prefer to be working, at least part time
Myths:
• They have more
accidents and get sick
more often
• They can’t learn technology
• They are not as
productive as younger employees
• They don’t want to work
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Why Recruit Baby Boomers?
Baby Boomers: Fact or Fiction?
Facts:
•Their life expectancy is near 80
•The National Center for
Education reports that
enrollment by Boomers in
education programs is up
significantly.
•They have the largest debt of
any generation. A “comfortable
retirement” is a distant dream.
Myths:
• They are on their way
out
• They have quit learning
• They have always had it
easy
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Why Recruit Gen Xers?
Gen X: Fact or Fiction?
Facts:
• Many are struggling to make ends
meet. This is the first US generation
whose lifestyle won’t be better than
their parents’.
• Many are in their 30’s with
established careers and families.
They are committed to having a life
beyond work.
• They are concerned about
healthcare, but more concerned
about the impact aging Boomers
will have on future costs.
Myths:
• They are
materialistic
• They are “slackers”
who are not willing
to work hard
• They want all the
benefits they can
get from their
employers
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Why Recruit Millennials?
Millennials: Fact or Fiction?
Myths:
• They are “going to hell
in a hand basket.”
• They are getting a
great education.
• They don’t respect their
elders.
Facts:
• They will make heroes of
themselves.
• Some will advance into the
information age, but others will
fall behind for lack of basic
reading or math skills.
• They prefer to be mentored by
the wisdom of seasoned
Traditionalists & Boomers.
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GENERATIONS’ ASSETS AT WORK
TRADITIONALISTS:
•Detail-oriented
•Loyal
•Hard-working
•Stable/dependent
•Experienced
BABY BOOMERS:
•Competitive/driven
•Willing to go extra mile
•Good team players
•Consensus-builders
GEN XERS:
•Techno-savvy
•Independent
•Adaptable
•Unintimidated by authority
•Entreprenurial spirit
MILLENNIALS:
•Techno-savvy
•Great at multitasking
•Heroic spirit
•Team players
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How Can We Best Train
Each Generation?
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TRADITIONALISTS’ LEARNING STYLE
Prefer traditional
classroom
Formal learners
Lectures &
Presentations
Don’t rush
"What do they mean our training program is
outdated? We all went through it!"
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BOOMERS’ LEARNING STYLE
Prefer printed
resources
Passive learners
Seminars &
Workshops
Training is a perk
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GEN XERS’ LEARNING STYLE
Prefer online
resources
Like self-directed
learning
Active seekers of
information
Lively, printed
materials
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MILLENNIALS’ LEARNING STYLE
Conditioned over early
learning years to expect
multimedia and
interactive methods
Processes info selectively
Teamwork
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How Can We Best
Communicate Across
the Generations?
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•Inclusive language (“we”, “us”)
•One-on-one meetings or written
•Focus on words
•Use more formal language
•Don’t waste their time
•Don’t expect them to share their
innermost thoughts immediately
Communicating with Traditionalists
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•Body language
•Speak in an open, direct style
•Answer questions thoroughly
•Avoid controlling/manipulative language
•Present options
•Face-to-face, team meetings or
electronic communication
Communicating with Boomers
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•Open and constant communication
•Short sound bites
•Efficient and direct language
•Ask them for feedback
•Share information immediately & often
•Use an informal communication style
•Listen! You might just learn something.
Communicating with Gen Xers
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•Action words
•Don’t talk down to them -- show respect
•Technology (email, IM, text, podcasts, blogs, etc)
•Visuals
•Humor
•Constantly seek their feedback
•Encourage them to break the rules & explore
•Allow for networking opportunities
Communicating with Millennials
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1. Avoid bad grammar, racist or sexist
language, & profanity
2. Listen for value in “experience stories” – avoid
dismissing them as being out of date
3. Practice listening – ask questions to clarify
intent
4. Respect alternative viewpoints – even when
you disagree
5. Talk to your employer – understand their
concerns and goals
10 Tips for Cross Generational
Communication
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6. Be technology-minded – and open-minded to
more changes
7. Let managers get to know you – it enhances
workplace rapport
8. Avoid judging a generation on a few people
9. Manage people, not age groups – focus on
personal strengths of employees
10. Communicate, communicate, communicate –
don’t stop talking and don’t stop listening
10 Tips for Cross Generational
Communication
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The WORK is What Unites Us
• Traditionalists are motivated by it,
when it’s satisfying
• Boomers derive their
identity/respect from it
• Gen Xers find security in amassing
skills from it
• Millennials want to make a
difference through it
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THANK YOU!!
“Each generation imagines itself to be more
intelligent than the one that went before it and
wiser than the one that comes after it.”
- George Orwell
(English novelist, journalist & critic)