Generational Differences: Communication Preferences

4 Generations in the Workplace The Silent Generation Baby Boomers Generation X Millennials 1981 - 2001 1925 to 1945 Youth today is waiting for the hand of fate to fall on its shoulders, meanwhile working fairly hard and saying almost nothing. The most startling fact about the younger generation is its silence. With some rare exceptions, youth is nowhere near the rostrum. By comparison with the Flaming Youth of their fathers & mothers, today's younger generation is a still, small flame. It does not issue manifestos, make speeches or carry posters. It has been called the "Silent Generation." "Youth today is waiting for the hand of fate to fall on its shoulders, meanwhile working fairly hard and saying almost nothing. The most startling fact about the younger generation is its silence. With some rare exceptions, youth is nowhere near the rostrum. By comparison with the Flaming Youth of their fathers & mothers, today's younger generation is a still, small flame. It does not issue manifestos, make speeches or carry posters. It has been called the Silent Generation." Time Magazine, November 5th, 1951. 1946 to 1964 When you think of "the 60's" you are thinking about Baby Boomers. 3 Boomer Presidents No member of the Silent Generation has ever been President, although several have run. The Silent Generation was described as an Artistic/Adaptive generation by William Strauss and Neil Howe. The Beat Poets and many other artists were members of the Silent Generation. 1961 to 1981 A small generation (45 million) compared to the Baby Boom (80 million) and the Millennials (76 million). Baby Boomers control over 80% of personal financial assets and more than 50% of discretionary spending power. They are responsible for more than half of all consumer spending, buy 77% of all prescription drugs, 61% of OTC medication and 80% of all leisure travel. The first generation to play video games. Gen X also experienced the dawn of the computer age. Described as "slackers," Gen X was not greeted in the same way as were the Baby Boom or the Millennials. How has this played out in the media? Surprisingly, Gen Xers, despite their reputation for slackerdom, were remarkably productive and influential in several fields. Especially: Music Hip-hop culture, grunge and alternative music are products of Generation X. and they were pioneers Focus is on family and children Scheduled and structured lives Multiculturalism Terrorism Heroism Patriotism Parental advocacy Globalism Focus on family and children: structured and scheduled lives This Instead of This The term "Helicopter Parents" was coined to describe the parenting Millennials received Millennials experienced fundamental social upheaval... Terrorism Heroism As well as two US wars that lasted for most of their lives. Like all generational cohorts, Millennials are subject to stereotypes... In the workplace, they are characterized as having: Distaste for menial work Lack of skills for dealing with difficult people Impatience Lack of experience Over-confidence “He is not committed to his job” “She has a poor work ethic” “He does not follow direction” “I cant believe the way he/she dresses” “What do you mean I can’t work from home on Friday’s” They're often seen as too informal and entitled. CHICAGO (AP) —A front-page story in the Chicago Tribune included the headline "YOU WORE FLIP-FLOPS TO THE WHITE HOUSE?!" inspired by an e-mail sent to player Kate Darmody from her older brother after he saw the photo on the team's Web site. Family members of other players expressed similar dismay, insisting the summer footwear staple was too casual for a visit with the president. "Don't even ask me about the flip-flops," said the mother of player Aly Josephs. "It mortified me." The women have defended their attire, arguing they wore a dressier version of the casual sandal. "Nobody was wearing old beach flip-flops," said Josephs, who wore a $16 brown pair with rhinestones. Darmody, 22, added: "I tried to think of something that would go well with my outfit and at the same time not be that uncomfortable. But at the same time not disrespect the White House." “In the past, the term Generation Gap was used mostly to describe conflicts between parents and children. Today, the “Gap” has more of a presence in the workplace, where employees from different generations are finding it difficult to work side by side because their experiences, goals and expectations are different”. GOVEXEC.com 65% of respondents agreed that generation gaps make it hard to get things done at work 24% of Silent, 30% of Baby Boomers and over 60% of Xers said they feel their generation is viewed negatively BridgeWorks' 2012 Generations Survey One-third of Xers indicated that they were often offended by someone from another generation at work. BridgeWorks' 2012 Generations Survey Millennials ranked “personal safety” as their #1 workplace issue. BridgeWorks' 2012 Generations Survey 29% of the Silent Generation agreed that a person should build their career with one employer, compared to 14% for Boomers and 11% of Xers BridgeWorks' 2012 Generations Survey Majority (95%) of them have retired Possess intellectual capital and institutional knowledge Have strong work values and ethics See themselves as vigorous, contributing members or the workforce Silent Generation The “Me” generation Invented and Value work-life balance They are the managers that are running our organizations today Career oriented “Love the good life” Baby Boomers The next generation of leaders The most well educated generation Goal-oriented Led dot.com boom Xers Value independence Look for new challenges Challenge the status quo Want the opportunity to make an impact Millennials Currently, there are Millenials are the most multicultural generation. The Challenge Avoid stereotyping Value the unique contributions of each generation Encourage mutual respect Leverage differences to enhance teamwork Recognize they communicate differently..... Try to maintain peaceful coexistence. Preferred means of communication? Chain of command, structured, letter writing, telephone, in person, email, cell phones Jackie Kennedy Marilyn Monroe The Beatles Bill Clinton George W. Bush Barack Obama Bob Dole John McCain Martin Luther King, Jr. How do Baby Boomers Communicate? Group problem solving, phone, fax, email, Facebook (the largest number of new users), voicemail, iPods Rocky Saturday Night Fever How do Gen Xer's Communicate? This generation is independent. They generally don't like group work. They favor decisions without unnecessary discussion They communicate using cell phones, Facebook, Twitter, like texting, hate voice mail, & hate landlines. Many own the latest technology like iPhones and iPads. The Silent Generation Baby Boomers GenX Millennials Famous Boomers Famous Boomers in Technology Steve Jobs Bill Gates Curt Cobain Mark Zuckerberg founder of Facebook Brittney Spears Shawn White Elvis Little Miss Sunshine And next, the Baby Boomers 1946-1964 D Aretha Franklin Jimi Hendrix Goldie Hawn Bob Dylan Sonny & Cher Johnny Carson Glenn Miller Michael Jackson