Generational Differences in the Workplace

GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCESIN THE WORKPLACEPart I : 

GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCESIN THE WORKPLACEPart I Larry Ferguson, BS, MS Ashland Community and Technical College Director of Business and Industry Services

Why study “Generational Differences”? : 

Why study “Generational Differences”? For the first time in history, we have four generations in the workplace Half of the US workforce is now 40 or older One quarter are now 50 or older The fastest growing population segment is people 85 years and older 8 out of 10 baby boomers expect to work past the standard retirement age

Slide 3: 

“What You Are is Where You Were When!!!” Morris Massey, PhD

Research conducted by Morris Massey, Ph.D. : 

Research conducted by Morris Massey, Ph.D. 90% or so of our values are set by around 10 years old Our values reach final “lock in” at about 20 years old The only way we can change after that is through a “Significant Emotional Event”

Cartoon Quiz!!! : 

Cartoon Quiz!!!

Felix the Cat : 

Felix the Cat

Mr. Magoo : 

Mr. Magoo

The Jetsons : 

The Jetsons

South Park : 

South Park

Four Distinct Generations : 

Four Distinct Generations MATURES, VETERAN or SILENT GENERATION [born 1922 to 1943] Many in supervisory and leadership roles, they believe in hard work, paying dues, conformity and long-term commitments. BABY BOOMERS [born 1943 to 1960] Tend to define themselves through their jobs and equate work with self-worth. Like to change things and willing to work long hours. GENERATION X [born 1960 to 1980] Latchkey childhood has made them independent. They seek connection with others on an equal footing. Techno-comfortable. MILLENIALS, GEN Y or NEXTERS [born 1980 to 2000] Technologically savvy, optimistic and street smart, they expect diversity and crave structure.

Matures: Core Values : 

Matures: Core Values Keepers of the grail Dedication/sacrifice Hard Work Conformity Law and order Honor Respect for authority Patience Delayed reward Duty before pleasure Adherence to rules

Boomers: Core Values : 

Boomers: Core Values Optimism Team Orientation Personal gratification Health and wellness Personal growth Youth Work Involvement

Matures on Boomers… : 

Matures on Boomers… “God knows many of them are fools and most of them will be sellouts, but they're a better generation than we are.” Lillian Hellman “Mature” and Playwright

Xers: Core Values : 

Xers: Core Values Diversity Thinking globally Balance Technoliteracy Fun Informality Self-reliance Pragmatic

Boomers on Xers… : 

Boomers on Xers… “It’s no wonder Xers are angst ridden and rudderless. They feel America’s greatness has passed. They got to the cocktail party twenty minutes too late, and all that is left are those little wieners and a half-empty bottle of Zima.” Dennis Miller, Rants

Here come the Millenials… : 

Here come the Millenials…

Millenials (also Gen Y or Nexters)… : 

Millenials (also Gen Y or Nexters)… “Tech stuff is natural to me, it takes me a minute to set up a computer. It takes my parents an hour.” Ten Year Old from Don Tapscott’s Growing Up Digital

Millenials: Core Values : 

Millenials: Core Values Optimism Civic duty Confidence Achievement Sociability Morality Street-smarts Diversity

Perspectives for the 18 Year Old Millennial : 

Perspectives for the 18 Year Old Millennial What Berlin wall? Rush Limbaugh and the “Dittoheads” have always been lambasting liberals. They never “rolled down” a car window. Nelson Mandela has always been free and a force in South Africa. Pete Rose has never played baseball. Rap music has always been mainstream.

Slide 20: 

Wal-Mart has always been a larger retailer than Sears and has always employed more workers than GM. They learned about JFK from Oliver Stone and Malcolm X from Spike Lee. High definition television has always been available. They get much more information from Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert than from the newspaper. Perspectives for the 18 Year Old Millennial

Slide 21: 

They never saw Johnny Carson live on television. The World Wide Web has been an online tool since they were born. Perspectives for the 18 Year Old Millennial

Each Generation Has Its Themes… : 

Each Generation Has Its Themes… Source: Center for Generational Studies

Xers versus the Millennials : 

Xers versus the Millennials Millennials (18-25)

Slide 24: 

Lumping individuals into whole groups – risks of stereotyping Danger of “psychoanalyzing” whole generations Some of the differences – who cares???

Questions?For more information contact: : 

Questions?For more information contact: Larry Ferguson Email: Larry.Ferguson@KCTCS.edu Phone: (606) 326-2232