Intergenerational Workforces Source: Tamara Erickson, Across the Generations: Leading Organizations in Difficult Times

Traditionalists Boomers Generation X Generation Y

Traditionalists 1928 – 1945 Also called Silent Generation Post-WWII teens Booming economy & goods Characteristics: Joiners Institutional loyalty $ as metric Hierarchy/rules

Boomers 1946 – 1964 (or ‘60) Teens in 60s & 70s Vietnam, civil rights, JFK-MLK-RFK, Watergate Characteristics: Competitive Anti-authoritarian but idealistic Scramble/work hard Some Boomers born 1960 or later don’t like to be grouped as such

Generation X 1965 – 1979 (or ‘61) Teens in 70s, 80s & 90s Troubled economy, massive lay-offs, sky-rocketing divorce, working moms, Challenger explosion on TV at school, electronic/Internet innovations Characteristics: Self-reliant Friends as family, “tribal” Mistrust authority/institutions Rule-morphing Info savvy Dedicated parents

Generation Y/Millennials 1980 - 1995 Teens in 90s & 2000s School violence, terrorism, tech everywhere, working moms, unprecedented economic growth, pro-child culture Characteristics: Immediacy Confident/upbeat Tolerant & spiritual Family-centric, love parents & consult them on big decisions Anti-investment

Too much time online Too impatient Not willing to pay dues Don’t respect tenure No loyalty, stay short time Don’t want to work as hard Lousy communication skills Send messages to CEO Parents call to discuss offer or evaluation Can’t get them to accept offer Don’t use technology to make job easier Give antiquated tech Are inefficient Obsessed with face-time Schedule everything Spend too much time in meetings Don’t respond in reasonable time frame Assume I’m interested in the same path Can’t imaging career here Younger Older

Top 4 Reasons for Generational Conflict in Teams Choosing when and where to work Communicating among team members Getting together Finding information or learning new things

Lack of flexibility, communication difficulties, slow progress Leadership should initiate dialogue re: generations Discussion reveals individuals’ personality, passion, strength Most important to all: respect for individual & work What does this mean?

Tamara Erickson