Understanding Today’s Generations

Who makes up the different generations?

Lost Generation: born about 1883-1900 (Interbellum Generation): 1900-1910 Greatest Generation: 1911-1924 Silent Generation: 1925-1945 Baby Boom: 1946-1964 Generation X: 1965-1983 Whatever you are: 1984-?

(these are rough markers only—some researchers disagree on these periods)

But there are subsets, too . . .

MTV Generation (about 1975-1985)—this is a subset of Gen X, for example

MTV Generation is characterized as skeptical, tech-savvy, immune to sales pitches

And the MTV Generation is divided further into the Doom Generation—yes, after the video game—the kids (like me) who grew up in the 1990s

Generational Markers: A Sampling

Greatest Generation

Baby Boom Generation

Generation X

Great DepressionElectrificationWorld War II

Cold War

Civil RightsWar on PovertyRace to SpaceAssassinations

VietnamImpeachment

AIDSVideo GamesHomelessness

Berlin WallTechnology

DiverseLatchkey KidsDownsizing

Characteristics of Generations

Values Lifestyle Social

Greatest Patriotic

Loyal

Prudent

I like it

It’s okay

Quality first

Buy American

Baby Boom

Idealistic

Competitive

Revolutionary

Should I really like it? Will others?

Prestige first

Foreign is better

Gen X Skeptical

Resourceful

Independent

I like it, I don’t care what you think

Cheap: value added

(Supersize Me)

Characteristics of Generations

On Relationships

On Balance On Community

Greatest Personal Sacrifice

Don’t quite get it

Must join the Rotary

Baby Boom

Personal Gratification

Balance is important, but

difficult

Rotary is a bore

Gen X Reluctant to Commit

Want balance now

What is the Rotary and who cares?

Characteristics of Generations

On Religion On Exercise On Homes

Greatest I care about religion

Exercise is an option

Buy a decent home

Baby Boom

Religion is a hobby

Exercise is a duty

Buy the most house you

can

Gen X What is religion?

Exercise is for mental

health

Reclaim the inner city

Characteristics of Generations

Value in Organization

View of Leadership

View of Authority

Greatest Loyalty, Similarities,

Relationships

By Hierarchy Respectful

Baby Boom

Profitability, reputations,

“Sink or Swim”

By Consensus

Love/Hate

Gen X Stimulation, Balance, Feedback

By Competence

Unimpressed, Unintimidated

Characteristics of Generations

Work EthicGreatest Work hard, save money,

what is play?

Baby Boom Work hard, play hard, worry about money

Gen X Work hard if it doesn’t interfere with play, save

money