Pre-Reading

Meet the Generations

This brief article will help you prepare for your upcoming session.

WWII Generation   |  Baby Boom Generation   |  Generation X
Millennial Generation   |  Before Your Session

The purpose of this article is to give you an overview of today's four American generations and to offer a few questions for you to consider about generational differences in your workplace. These four generations-- WWII, Boomers, Xers, and Millennials-- have unique work ethics, different perspectives on work, distinct and preferred ways of managing and being managed, idiosyncratic styles, and unique ways of viewing such work-world issues as quality, service, and even showing up for work. These differences can be the cause of stress and conflict, or a source of creativity, strength, and opportunity. Our session will enable you to become more attuned to generational preferences and to find ways of working more successfully side-by-side with people from all generations.

People are products of their times. Those times encompass a myriad of circumstances and experiences-- economic, social, sociological and demographic. Particularly telling are a generation's defining moments-events that capture the attention and emotions of individuals at a formative stage in their lives. An old adage holds true, "people resemble their times more than they resemble their parents."

Because generations share a place in history, and have the events, images, and experiences of that time in common, they develop their own unique personalities-- along with common tastes and attitudes. Not that every individual fits that generation's personality profile exactly. Some embody it; some spend a lifetime trying to live it down. Either way, all members of a generation are deeply affected by the personality of their generation.

WWII Generation 

Born before about 1940 

5% of today's workforce

The last of the gray flannel suits, this group (all but the youngest of whom were born before World War II) are the keepers of the values that period espoused.

Core values include: 

• Dedication 
• Sacrifice
• Hard Work
• Conformity
• Law and Order
• Respect for authority
• Patience
• Delayed reward
• Duty before pleasure
• Adherence to rules

They attend more symphonies than rock concerts, watch more plays than play in pick-up softball games, and eat a lot more steak than tofu. Heroes include Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio.

While most of this group have passed into retirement, they still are power brokers in U.S. big business-- their ranks in the CEO slots in most major companies dictate that they'll be a force in business well into the 21st century.

Baby Boom Generation 

Born about 1940 to about 1960* 45% of today's workforce (*the actual boom in births was 1946 through 1964)

This is the group that invented the 60-hour work week, the group that is passionately concerned about participation and spirit in the workplace, about bringing heart and humanity to the office, and about creating a fair and level playing field for all. They've never met a problem they couldn't bluff, blunder, or power through, and then pronounce themselves master of and write a book about. Heroes include Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and John & Jacqueline Kennedy.

Core values include: 

• Optimism
• Team orientation
• Personal gratification
• Health and wellness
• Personal growth
• Youth
• Work
• Involvement

Boomers' attitudes toward the office, the family, and themselves, have unquestionably shaped the workplace as we know it, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Generation X 

Born about 1960 to about1980 40% of today's workforce

This group is adept, clever, resourceful, and sometimes edgy. Their need for feedback and flexibility, coupled with their distaste for micro-management, sometimes makes them a perplexing lot for employers. At the same time, they're personally adept and comfortable with change; after all, they've changed cities, homes, and parents all their lives. Generally, Generation Xers aren't influenced by heroes.

Core values include:

• Diversity
• Thinking Globally
• Balance
• Techno-literacy
• Fun
• Informality
• Self-reliance
• Pragmatism

They work to live, not (like their Boomer predecessors) live to work. Their pursuit of balance between life and work is the hallmark of their generation.

Millennial Generation

Born about 1980 to about 2000 10% of today's workforce

This confident, achievement-oriented group is barely in the work force yet, but is already making an impact with its optimism, goal focus, and technical know-how. They are the smartest, cleverest, healthiest, most civic-minded, most wanted and optimistic bunch around. They care what their parents think. They have new, easy attitudes toward gender, ethnicity, and their place in time and space. With Internet pen pals in Asia who they contact at any hour of the day or night, they see the world as global, connected, and round-the-clock. Millennials' heroes include Bill Gates, NYC firefighters, Joe Torre, and the American Women's Soccer Team.

Core values are:

• Optimism
• Civic duty
• Confidence
• Achievement
• Sociability
• Morality
• Street smarts
• Diversity

While information on the Millennials is still relatively new, the few now in the workforce seem to be focused on being what one sociologist calls "Good Scouts," willing to work and learn.

Before Your Session

In preparation, it may be helpful for you to reflect on the people you work with-- team members, customers, and colleagues. Think about where there is breakdown or dissonance, and how generational differences may contribute.

Your own experiences, as well as having a basic knowledge of each generation and their characteristics, will serve as a valuable framework for your upcoming session. Your session will enable you to find perspective, guidance and solutions that improve professional relationships and help you work more effectively with people from all generations.

We hope you enjoy your session. If you have questions, please feel free to call Tammy Hughes at 940-692-1664 or email: DTHMagic@aol.com.