Transcript CROSS-GENERATIONAL COMMUNICATION

Dealing/Managing
Generational Differences
Presented by:
Cathy Dunlap & Donna Morris
August 11, 2011
Created by:
Toni Holder & Donice Mack
Defining a Generation
• External events and conditions
experienced during formative years
 define who we are
 how we view the world
2
Objectives
• Identify 4 generations in the
workplace
• Compare and contrast their
values
• Identify potential problems
when different generations fail
to communicate effectively
3
Diversity - A Broad Scope
• Generational differences are
one aspect of diversity
• Diversity – concept rooted in
our beliefs of fair play,
accepting differences,
respecting others and
eliminating stereotypes from
our dealing with individuals
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Shaping a Generation
Current Events
Economy
Each generation is shaped by
specific external events…
Culture
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When
considering
generational
differences,
certain
generalities
are utilized…..
Caution!
Not everyone
in a specific
generation will
exhibit ALL of
these
characteristics
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Who are the Generations?
TRADITIONALISTS (Matures)
BABY BOOMERS
(pre-1946)
(1946-1964+/-)
52 Million: 5-7%
of the workplace
75 Million: 15-55%
of the workforce
GENERATION X
MILLENNIALS (Gen Y)
(1964-1980+/-)
(1980-2000+/-)
45 Million: 35-45%
of the workforce
70 Million: 2-5%
of the workplace
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Events & Experiences
TRADITIONALISTS
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Great Depression
New Deal
World War II
Korean War
Increased role of Federal
Government
BABY BOOMERS
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MILLENNIALS
GENERATION X
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Fall of Berlin Wall
Watergate
Women’s Liberation
Desert Storm
Energy Crisis/Stock Market
Crash of ‘87
Civil Rights & Sexual Revolution
Cold War
Space Travel
Assassinations
Woodstock & Earth Day
Post War Prosperity
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Columbine Shooting
Oklahoma City Bombing
Dot Com Boom
Prosperity/Opportunity
Sept 11, 2001
Clinton/Lewinsky
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Strengths & Challenges
TRADITIONALISTS
Strengths
Disciplined, Experienced,
Committed
Challenges
Change, Meritocracy, Technology
GENERATION X
Strengths
Independent, Results-oriented,
Creative/adaptable
Challenges
People/political savvy, Impatient,
Cynical
BABY BOOMERS
Strengths
Idealistic, “Can Do” attitude, Seek to
please
Challenges
Judgmental, Self-centered,
Control/competition
MILLENNIALS
Strengths
Multi-taskers, Committed to
mission, Team player, Tolerant of
differences
Challenges
Lofty expectations, Technology
demanding, Work-Life balance
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Traits & Values
TRADITIONALISTS
Hard work & disciplined
Duty before pleasure
Conformist
Loyal/dedicated
Conservative
Patriotic
Respects rules
GENERATION X
Independent/self-reliant
Skeptical
Disloyal
Survivors
Informal
Techno literacy
Respects diversity
BABY BOOMERS
Optimistic
Achievement-oriented
Workaholic
Self-importance
Personal growth
Challenge authority
Team player
MILLENNIALS
Optimistic
Achievement oriented
Respects authority/civic duty
Open-minded/tolerant
Respects diversity
Techno savvy
Entitled
Confident
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Working With Traditionalists
• Appreciate & respect their experience
• Provide structure & hierarchical
environment
• Use them as mentors
• Provide flexible work options
• Structure technology training carefully
• Use human interface
• Reward their experience & indicate
their status
• Seen as a minority in the workplace,
but hold much of the authority
• Mistrust Boomers &
Xers because their
basic values are not in
sync
• Could be excellent
mentors to Millennial
because they share
many values
• Do not understand
Millennia's lack of
work ethic, or their
dependence on
technology
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Traditionalists/Matures
1909 - 1945
Traditionalists/Matures
(1909 – 1945)
Men’s Fashion
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Traditionalists/Matures
(1909 – 1945)
Women’s Fashion
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Traditionalists/Matures
(1909 – 1945)
Men’s Hair Style
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Traditionalists/Matures
(1909 – 1945)
Women’s Hair Style
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Traditionalists/Matures
(1909 – 1945)
Songs
• Scott Joplin
Maple Leaf Rag, Treemonisha,
Something doing, Magnetic Rag,
Weeping Willow, Pleasant Moments,
Ragtime Waltz, The Entertainer
• Billie Holiday
Summertime, Night and Day, Lover Man, Solitude
• Duke Ellington
Take the “A” Train, Cotton Trial
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Traditionalists/Matures
(1909 – 1945)
• Ella Fitzgerald
A Tisket A Tasket
• Cab Callaway
Hep, Hep; The Jumping Jive
• Nat “King” Cole
Sweet Lorraine, Get Your Kicks on Route 66,
Straighten Up 7 Fly Right, It’s Only a Paper Moon
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Traditionalists/Matures
(1909 – 1945)
Vocabulary
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Bum Rap
Bust Your Chops
Buzz Fix
Geezer
Gas
Drop
Fat-Head
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Traditionalists/Matures
(1909 – 1945)
* * * Bill Crosby * * *
Comedian, Author, Actor, Activist
Born 1937
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Traditionalists/Matures
(1909 – 1945)
* * * Diahann Carroll * * *
Singer and Actress
Born 1935
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Why Learn About Generations?
• Changing demographics
• Understand impact in the workplace
• Increase personal competency in
communication
• Promote teamwork
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Working With Baby Boomers
• Recognition/reward/give credit
• Provide opportunity to work in teams
but stress individuality & independence
• Work to build consensus; gather
their input
• Distrust Traditionalists
as too conforming
• Provide opportunities for
professional & personal development • Don’t understand the
skepticism of Xers
• Capture their experience
• See Xers as opportunists,
• They want to achieve success
disloyal “job-jumpers”
on their own
• Don’t place as much
emphasis on technology
as Xers & Millennial
• View Millennial as spoiled
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Baby Boomers
1946 - 1964
Baby Boomers
(1946 – 1964)
Men’s Fashion
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Baby Boomers
(1946 – 1964)
Women’s Fashion
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Baby Boomers
(1946 – 1964)
Men’s Hair Style
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Baby Boomers
(1946 – 1964)
Women’s Hair Style
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Baby Boomers
(1946 – 1964)
Songs
• Aretha Franklin
Rock Steady, Chain of Fools
• Smokey Robinson
Tracks Of My Tears, Ooo Baby Baby,
In Case You Need Love
• Marvin Gaye
What’s going on
• Temptations
I Can't Get Next To You, It's Your Thing
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Baby Boomers
(1946 – 1964)
Vocabulary
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Blast
Boss
Bread
Bummer
Clean
Cool It
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Baby Boomers
(1946 – 1964)
President & First Lady Michelle Obama
Born 1961 (Barack) & 1964 (Michelle)
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Baby Boomers
(1946 – 1964)
* * * Denzel Washington * * *
Actor, Screenwriter, Director, and Film Producer
Born 1954
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Failure to Communicate……..
May Impact
• Turnover rates
• Tangible costs (recruitment, hiring, training, retention)
• Intangible costs (employee morale)
• Grievances & Complaints
• Perceptions of fairness & equity
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Working With Generation X
• Allow autonomy
• Requires immediate feedback
• Provide opportunity for continued
learning/development
• Notion of non-linear retention
• Open communication,
information flow
• Access to decision-makers
• Challenge, fun, excitement
• See themselves as strong,
survivors
• Money is their guiding principle
• View Traditionalists as
out of touch & Boomers
as naïve
• Prefer not to work in
collaboration with others;
does not share
Millennials preference for
team-work
• Not afraid to buck
tradition in the name of
progress
• What’s in it for me?
• Does not understand
Millennial’s need for
structure & feedback
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Generation X
1965 - 1978
Generation X
(1965 – 1978)
Men’s Fashion
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Generation X
(1965 – 1978)
Women’s Fashion
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Generation X
(1965 – 1978)
Men’s Hair Style
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Generation X
(1965 – 1978)
Women’s Hair Style
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Generation X
(1965 – 1978)
Songs
• Commodores
Brick House, Easy,
Three Times a Lady
• Jackson 5
ABC, Never Can Say Goodbye,
I Want You Back
• Diane Ross
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Touch Me
In the Morning, Reach Out and Touch
(Somebody’s Hand)
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Generation X
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(1965 – 1978)
Vocabulary
Bad
Stoned
Can You Dig It
Boogie
Brick House
Freak-Out
May The Force Be With You
Tuff
Dig It
Blood
Dude
Funky
Split
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Generation X
(1965 – 1978)
* * * Will Smith * * *
Pop Rapper, Actor, and Film Producer
Born 1968
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Generation X
(1965 – 1978)
* * * Halle Berry * * *
Actress, Fashion Model, Beauty Queen
Born 1966
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Generation X
(1965 – 1978)
* * * Shaquille (Shaq) O’Neal * * *
Professional Athlete
Born 1968
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Leadership Challenges
• Create a work environment that fosters
inclusion
• Learn what is important to each
individual employee
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Working With Millennials
• Provide structure, guidance, positive
reinforcement
• Ask for their input, give feedback often
• Team collaborative work projects
• Updated technology
• Emphasize projects, not time
• Provide challenging & increase
responsibility
• Feels entitled
• Seeks clear mission, policies, & values
• Seeks work-life balance
• Lacks social/political skills, selfconfidence, but has high self-esteem
• Doesn’t understand
Traditionalist’s work
ethic
• Ignores office
hierarchy
• Addresses top
executives by their
first name
• Doesn’t appreciate
Boomer’s idea of
“paying dues”
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Millennials
1979 - 2000
Millennials
(1979 – 2000)
Men’s Fashion
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Millennials
(1979 – 2000)
Women’s Fashion
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Millennials
(1979 – 2000)
Men’s Hair Style
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Millennials
(1979 – 2000)
Women’s Hair Style
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Millennials
(1979 – 2000)
Songs
• Jay Z
The BluePrint
• Public Enemy
Fear Of A Black Planet
• Ice Cube
Death Certificate
• LL Cool J
Mama Said Knock You Out
• Beyonce
Crazy in Love Boy, All Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
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Millennials
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(1979 – 2000)
Book
Vocabulary
Aiight
Dude
YO
Duh!!
OMG
I Feel You
Fo Real
Sup
What’s up G?
Homie
TMI
Cold
Whatchu Talking Bout?
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Millennials
Millennial
(1979 – 2000)
* * * Beyonce * * *
Singer, Actress, Fashion Designer
Born 1981
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Millennials
(1979 – 2000)
* * * Alicia Keys * * *
Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Actress
Born 1981
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Questions
Remember: All Challenges are Opportunities!
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