3. Generations in the Workplace
(in millions)
Gen Y or Millenials (1980-2000)
80
Gen X (1965-1979)
55
Baby Boomers (1946-1964)
1 77
Traditionalists (<1946)
0
20
40
60
80
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4. Key Points in History
What influenced the
generations?
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5. Historical Events
Traditionalist- Great Depression, WWII, FDR
Boomers- civil rights, Vietnam War, space travel, television
Gen Xers - Berlin Wall, AIDS, Desert Storm, MTV
Gen Yers - internet, school violence, Clinton affair, 9/11
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6. What events have
contributed to your
filters as a leader?
How could they
impact your
leadership style?
Leadership
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7. Generational Preferences
Performance Management
Communications Leadership Styles
Work Schedule
Recognition Values and Purpose
Learning Styles
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8. What assumptions
may you make about
specific generations
that could lead to
team conflict?
Leadership
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11. Common Areas of Conflict
Choosing when and where to work
Communication among team members
Planning and scheduling
Accessing information and learning
Harvard Business Review
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12. … the Generations to Increase Team Performance
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17. Key Ideas
» Generations are groups, not individuals
» All generations need attention
» Generations can learn from each other
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18. Resources
Unlocking Generational Codes
Anna Liotta
Generations Inc: From Boomers to
Linksters- Managing the Friction
Between Generations at Work
Megan Johnson and Larry Johnson
Generation Blend: Managing Across the
Technology Age Gap
Rob Salkowitz
Harvard Business Review Blog - various
articles by Tammy Erickson
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What implications…developing leaders. How to get Gen Yers up to speed quickly?
Discuss the key points in history that influenced each groupHistorical vs personal events
Notes: Pass out Generational Preferences Handout
Assessments
Notes/Handout: This requires a group with at least two generations represented. Create pairs of employees from two different generations. Have individuals review the generational preferences that represent their generation and determine whether they agree or not with the general statements.
Notes/Handout: This is delivered to a group of no more than 15. Ask them to answer these questions individually and not share with others in the group. Then split into groups by generation and ask the group to discuss their individual preferences. You are invited to join a new team because of your expertise. You are introduced to your team members and then asked by the team leader to draft the notes of the meeting. How would you draft the notes? What would you plan on doing with the notes after the meeting?
Notes: Pairs comprise representatives from two different generations. Then identify one preference that each person can mentor the other in to strengthen the individual as well as team. Identify a project. -technology is an area that Gen X’ers and Y’ers can mentor the older generations-communication is an area that Boomers can mentor younger generations
Notes: Look for success stories in your organization where the multi generations work effectively by leveraging their differences.