Generational Communication

1. Generational Communication

2. The Changing Workplace • By 2006, 80 million aging baby boomers totaled one-third of the nations population – in the next decade or so they will retire • The growth rate of the US labor force declined from 2.5% per year in 1965 to 0% in the 1990’s • From 2010 to 2030, the portion of the U.S. population over age 65 will grow four times as much as it did in the last 80 years • There will be a 30% shortfall of younger workers, a shortfall that will persist for 40 years

3. Overview • Identify four generations in the workplace, and define them by experiences and events. • Identify the values system of each generation and how those value affect motivation and behavior in the workplace • Develop an understanding of how different generations communicate and how it affect relationships in the workplace. • Determine how your approach may need to change when coaching, managing and leading employees of different generations • Appreciate and gain respect for what is important to each generation

4. Generations at Work • The events and conditions each of us experience during our formative years help define who we are and how we view the world. • The generation we grow up in is just one of the influences on adult behavior: gender, race, religion will also influence our behavior • Caution : Not all generalizations apply – We areall individuals

5. Why Learn About The Generations? • Changing demographics • Better understanding of it’s impact in the workplace • Increase the personal competency in communication and management • Promote teamwork

6. When Generations Fail To Communicate • May impact turnover rates • May impact tangible costs (i.e. recruiting, hiring, training, retention) • May impact intangible costs (i.e. morale) • May impact grievances and complaints • May impact perceptions of fairness and equality

7. Generations • Traditionalists, Veterans Born Prior to 1946 • Baby Boomers Born 1946-1964 • Generation X, Gen-Xers Born 1965-1980 • Nexters/Millennials Born 1981-2002

8. Traditionalists Events & ExperiencesBorn Prior to 1946 • Great Depression • New Deal • WW II • Korean War • Atomic Bomb

9. TraditionalistsValues • Grew up during wartime, shortages and sense of lack • Frugal • Hard Work • Dedication & Sacrifice • Honor / Respect for Rules • Duty before fun

10. Other Traditionalists • Conservative somewhat dressy clothing • Neatly trimmed hair • Memories of Marx Brothers, Sinatra, Big Bands, Big Cars • TV included Ed Sullivan, Bonanza, Father Knows Best • Heroes include FDR, Superman, Babe Ruth, Dimaggio, Patton, MacArthur • Memorabilia include Juke Boxes, Blondie, Lone Ranger, Charlie McCarthy

11. Baby BoomersEvents & Experiences • Civil Rights • Space Travel • Cold War • Sexual Revolution • Assassinations

12. Baby Boomer Values • Optimism • Team Orientation • Loyal • Workaholics • Like relationships in the workplace • Interested in health and wellness • Open minded

13. Other Baby Boomer • May wear designer glasses, whatever is trendy • Longer Hair • Designer Suits • Memories of Smothers Brothers, Beatles, Lassie, Drive In, Mickey Mouse Club • TV includes Laugh In, Westerns, Lassie, Mod Squad, Carson, MASH, Sunday Night Disney • Heroes include John and Jackie Kennedy, MLK, John Glenn, John Lennon, Gandi • Memorabilia includes fallout shelters, TV dinners, Hula Hoops, Peace Sign, Poodle Skirts,

14. Generation XEvents & Experiences • Fall of Berlin Wall • Women’s Liberation • Watergate • Latchkey Kids • Energy Crisis • Desert Storm

15. Generation X Values • Self Reliance/Autonomy • Diversity • Tech Savvy • Fun & Informality • Pragmatism

16. Other Generational X’ers • May wear functional clothing, have tattoos, any style hair, naval or nose rings • Memories of Tonya Harding, Snoop Doggy Dog, Beavis & Butthead, Video Games • TV includes SNL, Friends, 90210, Cosby, • Heroes include Michael Jordan, Ron Reagan, Magic Johnson • Memorabilia include Brady Bunch, Pet Rocks, Platform shoes, ET, The Simpsons, Sesame Street, Cabbage Patch Dolls

17. Nexters/Millennials/Gen YEvents & Experiences • Oklahoma City • School Shootings • Technology • Clinton/Lewinsky • Conservative Values • 9/11

18. Nexter/Millennials/Gen YValues • Optimistic • Civic Duty • Political • Confident • Goal Setting is Priority • Respect for Diversity • Social

19. Nexters/Millenials/Gen YIn Workplace • Fastest growing segment of the workforce • High expectations of self and employers • Looking for job security • Likely to change careers • Important to periodically update skills • Seeking employers that focus on development and training • Focus on work-life balance • Changes management styles

20. Other Nexter/Millennials • May wear Retro Clothing, Spiked , bleached or “in style” hair, Body Piercing • Cell phones, IPODs • Memories of Goo-Goo Dolls, Trench coat Mafia, 9-11 • TV includes Dawson Creek, The WB, Malcom in the Middle, Who wants to be a Millionaire, That 70’s Show • Heroes include NYPD/NYFD, Parents, Mother Theresa, Bill Gates, Mia Hamm, Tiger Woods • Memorabilia include, Barney, Teenage Mutant Turtles, American Girl Dolls, Spice Girls, X-Games, Oprah, Rosie

21. Generations in the Workforce

22. Workplace Characteristics

23. Workplace Characteristics (Cont.)

24. Workplace & communication strategies to use with Traditionalists • Formal rather than informal • Face to face, not text or email • Honor the chain of command • Offer them job security • Traditional recognition; plaques, photos Messages • “Your experience is respected here” • “Loyalty is valued and rewarded”

25. Workplace & communication strategies for communicating with Baby Boomers • State objectives and desired results of the team • Choose face-to-face conversations • Give them your full attention • Love pep talks • Recognition with wide public profile like a company newsletter Messages • “You are valued” • “Your contributions are important to our success”

26. Workplace and communication strategies for communicating with Generation X • Get to the point • Use e-mail • Tell them what needs to be done, not how • Give them multiple task, let them prioritize • Lighten up • Regular, honest feedback • Informal recognition, such as a day off Messages • “Do it your way” • “We are not very corporate here”

27. Workplace and communication strategies for communicating with Nexters/Millenials/Gen Y • Provide continuous opportunity for learning and building skills • Know their goals, and show them how they fit in the big picture • Challenge them • Ask them their opinion • Find them a mentor • Be more of a coach, less boss • Communicate informally through email and hallway conversations • Messages • “Your boss is in his/her sixties” • “You and your co-workers can help turn this company around”

28. Bridging The Gap • Be aware of the differences, embrace them • Appreciate the strengths, draw on them • Recognize the contributions and intricacies of all

29. Valuing Differences Information flows in all directions in a learning organization. The most successful leaders find a way to let every generation be heard. They recognize that no one has all the answers. This appreciation of diversity allows each group to contribute and be a part of the growth of an organization.