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Generations at Work Leading and Motivating in the NWS

Generations at Work Leading and Motivating in the NWS. Nezette Rydell WFO Brownsville. Background. Remember the first time talking to a member of the staff and you realized t hey thought you were old ?

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Generations at Work Leading and Motivating in the NWS

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  1. Generations at WorkLeading and Motivating in the NWS Nezette Rydell WFO Brownsville

  2. Background • Remember the first time talking to a member of the staff and you realized they thought you were old ? • Remember talking to an older/younger employee or supervisor and thinking they just don’t get it ? • Concepts seem obvious but often remain abstract until we have to deal with them. • Our assumption about how people will behave or react are mostly subconscious • Why we’re uncomfortable in a foreign or unfamiliar culture…our assumptions have no relevance and we feel unable to relate.

  3. How Many of You Have ? • ½ staff or more have 20 years experience • Someone on your staff younger than your children • Someone your staff older than your parents • Talked with someone on your staff about their manner of dress • Describe your staff as static, stable, little change last 5 to 10 years or more

  4. If you answered yes… • First new hire may be a shock • Old NWS blend/meld/indoctrinate into NWS culture approach may not be valid • Expectations differ between generations • This isn’t all that new - What You Are Is Where You Were When – Morris Massey • If you’re wondering why I’m talking to you about this… • Honolulu – 3 forecasters in their 70s • Brownsville - Hired SOO, WCM, ITO, 2 journeys and an Intern (behind a retirement with 40+ years) all in my first 9 months • None of WFO Brownsville journeys were ever NWS interns • WFO Brownsville journeys range in age from 24 to 59.

  5. Generational Definitions • The Lost Generation - Came of age shortly after World War I. • The Greatest Generation - Served in World War II. • The Silent Generation - Born between the two World Wars, too young to join the service when World War II started. • Baby Boomers – Born 1944-1960, a time that included a 14-year increase in birthrate worldwide. Gave birth to Generations X and Y. • Generation X - born between 1964 to 1981. AKA 13th Generation and Baby Busters. Grew up with video games, MTV and the end of the Cold War. Veterans

  6. Generational Definitions • Tweener – AKA Generation Jones - born between the Baby Boomers and Generation X. • The MTV Generation – 1975-86, caught between the end of Generation X and start of Generation Y, influenced by the launch of MTV and the popularization of Web technology after 1995. Their peak is usually given as (1975-1986). AKA the Boomerang Generation. • Generation Y – 1980 -2001 also known as the Echo Boom although Millennials or Internet Generation is becoming more common. Grew up with many world-changing events including the rise of mass communication, the Internet, and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. • Generation Z– after 1990, New Silent Generation or Homelander Generation is the youngest of generations thus far. • Generation I – born after the internet became mainstream (1993). Also referred to as Digital Natives or the Net Generation.

  7. Veterans - Formative Events • Great Depression • World Wars I and II • The New Deal • Korea • Radio • Watched America move from economic deprivation to wealth • Credited Federal Government with Doing The Right Thing • Memories of family dinners cooked by Mom with Dad at the head of the table.

  8. Veterans -Characteristics • Value • Hard work • Loyalty • Commitment • Patience • Structure • Consistency • Challenges • Change • New Technology • Meritocracy

  9. Tips for Working with Veterans • Ask about their experience • Appreciate and respect what they did before you arrived on the scene • Prefer face-to-face contact over e-mail • Provide flexible alternatives to those who no longer wish to work full time

  10. Baby Boomers – Formative Events • Civil Rights Movement • Space Race • Viet Nam War • Draft • Assassinations • Earth Day • Lunar Landing • Rock and Roll • Television • Post War Prosperity • Memories of TV dinners heated by Mom.

  11. Boomer Characteristics • Value • Hard work • Can-do attitude • Idealistic • Politically active • Like to work in teams • Self-indulgent (Me generation) • Willing to stand apart from the crowd • Consume more and save less • Willing to change jobs for economic gain and personal satisfaction

  12. Tips for Working with Boomers • Recognize and reward accomplishments • Opportunities to work in teams • Work to build consensus • Recognize challenges of Sandwich Generation • Elder care issues • College Expenses • Need for family-friendly workplace

  13. Generation X – Formative Factors • Sesame Street • Watergate • Iranian hostage crisis • Fall of the Berlin Wall • Desert Storm • Latchkey kids • Divorced parents • Computers in high school • Memories of cooking microwave dinners home alone because the custodial parent was working late.

  14. Gen X – Characteristics • Skeptical • Work smarter versus working harder • Expect compensation for extra effort • Sense of entitlement • See an uncertain future • Embrace technology • Less teamwork more individual effort • Less physically fit than Boomers

  15. Tips for Working with GenXers • Specify goals and allow freedom to work as they see fit • Opportunities for self-development • Fun and excitement for work • Life outside work is important • Day care challenges • Family more important than work issues • Xers want access to high levels of information and decision making early in their careers.

  16. Motivators • Motivators vary within and between generations • Money • Recognition • Days off • Advancement • Preferred assignments

  17. Diversity Within Generations • Old Guard – We’ve always done it this way. • New Blood – Fresh hires with new ideas, new attitudes, new experiences. • Interlopers – Passing through on the way to bigger and better things.

  18. Case Studies • Composite – none of these reflects a single individual! • All are rooted in real experience(s).

  19. Resources • Live First, Work Second: Getting Inside the Head of the Next Generation - Rebecca Ryan • What You Are Is Where You Were When – Morris Massey videos • Geeks and Geezers: How Values and Defining Moments Shape Leaders – Warren Bennis and Robert Thomas • Managing Generation X: How to Bring Out the Best in Young Talent – Bruce Tulgan

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