The Traditionalists, also called “THE GREATEST GENERATION” and "The Silent Generation" are Healthy, Wealthy and Wise! This cohort built the infrastructure of modern America. Traditionalists grew up in the wake of crippling economic depression and were heavily shaped by war. Today, they are a force to be reckoned with and represent more wealth than any other generation.
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CHILDHOOD.
TRADITIONALISTS. (Born 1925-1945)
Also called “THE GREATEST GENERATION,” this cohort built the
infrastructure of modern America. Traditionalists grew up in the wake
of crippling economic depression and were heavily shaped by war.
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CORE VALUES.
TRADITIONALISTS. (Born 1925-1945)
Dedication Hard Work Conformity
Law and
Order
Patience
Delayed
Reward
Duty before
Pleasure
Adherence
to Rules
Honor
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Shirley
Temple
John F.
Kennedy
Andy
Warhol
Clint
Eastwood
Dick
Clark
Warren
Buffett
FAMOUS
TRADITIONALISTS.
(Born 1925-1945)
Johnny
Cash
Jack
Nicholson
Dustin
Hoffman
Neil
Armstrong
Robert
Redford
Marilyn
Monroe
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IMPORTANT EVENTS.
TRADITIONALISTS. (Born 1925-1945)
Stock Market Crash
The Great
Depression
Lindbergh
Transatlantic Flight
Social Security
Pearl Harbor
End of WWII
FDR Dies
Korean War
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CHILDHOOD.
TRADITIONALISTS. (Born 1925-1945)
Raised by the G.I. Generation (civic)
Large families (3-5 children)
Strong sense of extended family (same town/
home)
Grandparents in the home
Average 10-year-old spend 4-6 hours daily with
significant adult role model
Apprenticeship businesses and farming
Perception of the world as “safe”
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CULTURAL MEMORABILIA.
TRADITIONALISTS. (Born 1925-1945)
Mickey
Mouse
Kewpie
Dolls
Flash
Gordon
Radio
Wheaties
Wizard of
Oz
Jukeboxes
The Lone
Ranger
McCarthy
Era
Life
Magazine
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THE GENERATIONAL DIVIDE.
A CLOSER LOOK AT TRADITIONALISTS.
By Andre S. Harris, Culture Transformation Resources, LLC
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FOUR GENERATIONS.
BIRTH YEARS & AGE.
TRADITIONALISTS 1925-1945
69+
years
BABY BOOMERS 1946-1964 50-68
GENERATION X 1965-1979 35-49
MILLENNIALS 1980-1996 18-34
Source: Gallup’s “State of the American Workplace” 2013
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FOUR GENERATIONS
IN THE WORKPLACE.
Source: Gallup’s “State of the American Workplace” 2013
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We are in the middle of a historic
evolutionary leap driven by digital innovation
and technology. It has created a
generational divide that holds both
promise and peril for leaders.
For the first time in U.S. history, we have
four separate generations working side-by-
side.
While there is no magic birth date that
makes a member of a specific generation,
one’s experience and sharing of history
h e l p s s h a p e a “ g e n e r a t i o n a l
personality” during their formative years.
When a generational
divide occurs at work, the
results can be:
• Reduced productivity
• Hiring challenges
• Increased turnover
• Decreased morale
• Reduced profitability
THE GENERATIONAL DIVIDE.
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THE GENERATIONAL DIVIDE.
“A lack of understanding across generations can
have detrimental effects on communication and
working relationships and undermine effective
services.”
-Constance Patterson, Ph.D.
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THE GENERATIONAL DIVIDE.
HOW THEY DIFFER.
Social, Political & Economic
Influences
Family Structure & Influence
Education
Values / Morals
Work Ethic
Leadership Approach
Motivational Buttons
Communication Style
Interaction with Others
Approach to Feedback
View towards Company
Work vs. Personal Life
Desired Rewards
Financial Behaviors
Relationship with Technology
General Expectations
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So much of what is going on in
our lives is seen through our
own generational lens.
C o m p a n i e s N E E D a
multigenerational workforce.
To succeed in business today,
i t t a k e s a r a n g e o f
generational insights and
varied perspectives to make
smart business decisions.
Educating employees on
generational differences and
their unique contributions can
boost:
• Understanding
• Respect
• Collaboration
• Productivity
• A Working Together Culture
GENERATIONAL INSIGHTS.
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BIRTH YEARS • 1925-1945
AGE • 69+ years old
US
POPULATION
• 44 Million
AKA
• Silents
• Veterans
TRADITIONALISTS.
OVERVIEW.
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COMMON TRAITS.
TRADITIONALISTS. (Born 1925-1945)
Grew up in “do
without” era
Dedication,
Sacrifice, Savers
Duty, Honor,
Country
Respect
Authority
Like Details
Uncomfortable
with Change
Age = Seniority
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Traditionalists • Loyal
Boomers • Driven
Gen X • Balanced
Millennials • Eager
WORK ETHIC.
FOUR GENERATIONS.
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VIEW OF WORK.
FOUR GENERATIONS.
Traditionalists
• It’s necessary
• An obligation
Boomers
• It is exciting
• Adventure
Gen X
• It is a challenge
• A contract
Millennials
• It is done to make a
difference
• A means to an end
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EXPECTATIONS OF WORK.
FOUR GENERATIONS.
Loyalty,
Respect
Authority
Common
Goals
Performance
Compensated
for doing job
Competitive
Optimistic,
Team-
Oriented
Results
Reward for
Results
Self-Reliant
Skeptical,
Career-
Oriented
Results + Fun
Reward for
Outcomes
Pack-Oriented
Self important,
Loyalty to
Others
Career
Seek rapid
success
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TRADITIONALISTS
Individual
BABY BOOMERS
Team Player
Loves Meetings
MILLENNIALS
Participative
GEN X
Entrepreneur
INTERACTIVE STYLES.
FOUR GENERATIONS.
Source: Greg Hammill, “Mixing and Managing Four Generations of Employees
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WORK STYLES.
FOUR GENERATIONS.
Traditionalists
• Hierarchical organizational structures
• Consistency and uniformity
• “These are the rules.”
Boomers
• Coined “team building”
• Live to Work, until Retirement
• “Let’s talk about the rules.”
Gen X
• Work to live, not live to work
• Flexibility in work, life
• “Break all of the rules.”
Millennials
• Exceptional multi-taskers
• Flexibility in work hours and dress code
• “Redefine the rules.”
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LEADERSHIP STYLES.
FOUR GENERATIONS.
Traditionalists
• Directive
• Command-and-control
Boomers
• Consensual
• Collegial
Gen X
• Everyone is the same
• Challenge others
• Ask questions
Millennials
• TBD
25. TRADITIONALISTS
Satisfaction of a job
well done
BOOMERS
Money, title,
recognition,
the corner office
GEN X
Freedom, self-
manage, time to
prioritize own
projects
MILLENNIALS
Work that has
meaning, flexibility;
growth and learning
opportunity; praise
MOTIVATORS.
FOUR GENERATIONS.
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RESPECT AND LOYALTY.
FOUR GENERATIONS.
Traditionalists
• To the organization
Boomers
• To the profession
Gen X
• To the individual
Millennials
• To co-workers and friends
27. MANAGING AND LEADING
FOUR GENERATIONS.
Recognize
their loyalty,
experience.
Select
activities that
show what
they know.
Focus on
evolution, not
revolution.
Acknowledge
their
contributions.
Be aware of
competitive
nature.
Offer
continued
training on life
skills, balance.
Respect their
skepticism;
establish your
credentials.
Use humor.
Let them know
you like them.
Talk career,
not job.
Provide
ongoing and
remedial
training.
Teach in short
modules.
Test often.
Make it fun.
Allow
collaboration.
28. TRADITIONALISTS
Loyal to their clients
and/or customers
BOOMERS
Making a difference
GEN X
Building a career
MILLENNIALS
Work that has
meaning
#1 REASON TO STAY OR LEAVE JOB.
FOUR GENERATIONS.
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COMMUNICATION PREFERENCES.
FOUR GENERATIONS.
Traditionalists
• Let’s have a conversation
• Face to Face
• Formal
• Memo
Boomers
• Call me on my cell anytime
• In person
• Semi-formal
Gen X
• Send me an email
• Irreverent
• Call me only at work
• Direct and Immediate
Millennials
• Text me or IM me
• Twitter
• Fun, Informal, Slang
• Email or Voicemail
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COMMUNICATION GAP.
“Grandpa is showing us how they
sent a text when he was a kid.”
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IMPROVING FEEDBACK AND COMMUNICATION.
FOUR GENERATIONS.
Traditionalists
• “No news is good news.”
• May not be receptive to feedback
• 50% have not received feedback training
Boomers
• “Once a year; formal and documented.”
• Don’t appreciate it
• Initiate weekly informal talks; document talks
Gen X
• “Sorry to interrupt, but how am I doing?”
• Give immediate and regular feedback
• Be direct and to the point
Millennials
• “I want it with the push of a button, anytime.”
• Consider electronic connections; use visuals
• Allow an active role in creating work plans