Generational Diversity In The Workplace - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Generational Diversity In The Workplace

Billie Taylor

Lynn LawrenceSlide2

Agenda

Generational Differences

The need to communicate the differences

How to generate synergy among the generations

Changing demographicsSlide3

Four Generations in the Workplace

• Mature/Traditionalists/Veterans (born 1925-1942)

• Baby Boomers (born 1943-1960)

• Generation X (born 1961-1981)

• Gen Y (born 1981-2000) - baby

boomlets

, echo

boomers

,

Millennial,

Generation Why?, Sept. 11 Generation, Dot-com Generation, Next generation

• Generation Z (born 2001-now) – homeland generation, silent generation, Generation 1-to-1Slide4

The Traditional generation

The Traditional generation is the oldest generation in the workplace, although most are now retired. Also known as the veterans, the

Silents

, the Silent generation, the matures, the greatest generation, this generation includes individuals born before 1945, and some sources place the earliest birth year to 1922 (www.valueoptions.com). Members of this generation [hereinafter

Traditionals

] were influenced by the great depression and World War II among other events and have been described as being conservative and disciplined, as having a sense of obligation, and as observing fiscal restraint (

Niemic

, 2002). They have been described as liking formality and a top down chain of command, as needing respect, and as preferring to make decisions based on what worked in the past (

Kersten

, 2002). Slide5

The Baby Boom generation

Most sources identify Baby Boomers as people born between 1943 and 1965. The U.S. Census Bureau defines Baby Boomers [Hereinafter ‘Boomers’] as individuals born between 1946 and 1964. The Baby Boom generation has also been referred to as the “pig-in-the-python” (

Callanan

&

Greenhaus

, 2008). This generation is referred to as the Baby Boom, because of the extra seventeen million babies born during that period relative to previous census figures (O’Bannon, 2001). It has had the largest impact on American society due to its size — roughly 78 millionSlide6

Generation X

In a study about the civic engagement of Generation X, the U.S. Census Bureau defined this segment of the population as consisting of individuals born between 1968 and 1979. However, the upper limit of Generation X in some cases has been as high as 1982, while the lower limit has been as low as 1963 (Karp et al., 2002). This generation was also called the baby bust generation, because of its small size relative to the generation that preceded it, the Baby Boom generation. The term Generation X spread into popular parlance following the publication of Douglas

Coupland’s

book about a generation of individuals who would come of age at the end of the 20th century.Slide7

Generation Y

The lower limit for Generation Y may be as low as 1978, while the upper limit may be as high as 2002, depending on the source. Members of Generation Y may include individuals born between 1980 and 1999 (Campton & Hodge, 2006); 1978 and 1995 (The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association Office of Diversity, 2006); 1980 and 2002 (

Kersten

, 2002); and 1978 and 1988 (Martin, 2005). The label associated with this generation is not yet finalized. Current labels include

Millenials

,

Nexters

, Generation www, the Digital generation, Generation E, Echo Boomers, N-Gens and the Net Generation. Members of the generation have labeled themselves as the Non-Nuclear Family generation, the Nothing-Is-Sacred Generation, the

Wannabees

, the Feel-Good Generation,

Cyberkids

, the Do-or-Die Generation, and the Searching-for-an-Identity Generation. Slide8
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Generational Traits Test

My generation spent most Saturday nights

A. At the movies and then at the drug store

B. At the bowling alley with friends

C. Cruising main street in our hot cars listening to Blondie

D. Talking on the Internet with someone from ChinaSlide10

Generational Traits Test

Some of my generation’s favorite music was by

A. Frank Sinatra

B. Beatles

C. Madonna

D. UsherSlide11

Generational Traits Test

The first thing my generation wanted to buy after graduation was

A. A home

B. A car

C. A company

D. A personal computerSlide12

Generational Traits Test

In my generation birthday parties

A. Were only for rich people

B. Included a meal and cake I got to pick

C. Meant coming up with a cool new theme each year

D. Consisted of a jumping castle, a DJ and a catererSlide13

Generational Traits Test

A favorite childhood toy of my generation was a

A. Board game

B. Hula Hoop or bicycle

C. Barbie or GI Joe

D. Game Boy or

PlaystationSlide14

Generational Traits Test

A favorite childhood drink of my generation was

A. Coca-cola

B. Kool-Aid

C. Anything diet

D. StarbucksSlide15

Generational Traits Test

Kids of my generation dreamt of becoming a famous sports star like

A. Babe Ruth

B. Roger Staubach

C. Michael Jordan

D. Tiger WoodsSlide16

Generational Traits Test

One of the biggest fashion statements of my generation was

A. Starched white shirts or girdles

B. Bell bottoms or wooly sideburns

C. Designer jeans or long bangs that stuck straight up

D. Baggy low-riding pants or body piercingSlide17

Generational Traits Test

When my generation thinks of their fathers, they think about

A. The good care he provided for the family

B. The fun family vacations he took us on

C. When he didn’t live at home any longer

D. My real dad or step dads?Slide18

Generational Traits Test

If my generation got into trouble, our moms would

A. Spank us

B. Say “Wait until your father gets home!”

C. Put us into time out

D. Ignore us until she found a solution in a self-help book.Slide19

Generational Traits Test

Brothers/sisters in my generation

A. Played with us and helped us do chores

B. Were fun till we became teens

C. I see once a year, we both are so busy

D. Which one? Step or real?Slide20

Generational Traits Test

One of my generation’s daily chores might have included

A. Setting the table or heating water to wash the dishes

B. Washing or drying dishes

C. Loading or unloading the dishwasher

D. What dishes? We use paper platesSlide21

Generational Traits Test

When someone from my generation grew up, we wanted to be

A. A doctor

B. The President

C. An entrepreneur

D. A celebritySlide22

Generational Traits Test

Mostly A’s, you’re a

Traditionalist

Mostly B’s, you’re a Baby Boomer

Mostly C’s, you’re a

Gen

X’er

Mostly D’s, you’re a Millennial

Adapted from Graeme

Codrington

.

Compiled by Beth

Kneupper

and Pam FosterSlide23

Traditionalists Statistics

Population – 44.2 million Events

• Pearl Harbor bombing

• World War II

• Great Depression

Icons

• Reader’s Digest

• Blondie

• Golden age of radio

Music

• Benny Goodman, Tommy

Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, Ella

Fitzgerald, Billie HolidaySlide24

Boomers Statistics

Population – 76 million

Events

• Vietnam

• Man on the Moon

• Woodstock

• Assassinations of JFK, MLK

Icons

• Television

• Birth Control Pill

• Civil rights

• Sexual Freedom

• Peace, Love and Rock and Roll

Music

• Led Zeppelin

• Beatles

• MotownSlide25

Gen X Statistics

Population – 47 million

Events

• Civil Rights Movement

• Challenger disaster

• Fall of Berlin wall

• Desert Storm

Icons

• Martin Luther King

• Personal computer

• The Simpsons

• Tattoos

• Music videos

Music

• Santana,

Bee

Gees

, U2, Madonna,

Nirvana, TemptationsSlide26

Gen Y Statistics

Population – 54 million

Events

• OK city bombing

• OJ Simpson trial

• Columbine shootings

• Clinton-Lewinsky scandal

• Challenger explosion

Icons

• Internet

• Nintendo/

Playstation

• Beanie Babies

• Web pages

• Body piercing

Music

• Whitney Houston, The Spice Girls,

Backstreet Boys, Metallica, Selena,

Michael Jackson

1.5 million will graduate this springSlide27

Gen Z Statistics

Population – 25.5 million so far

Events

• 9/11

• Iraq war

• Digital revolution – broadband and

wifi

internet

Icons

• Simulations/virtual icons

•

iPODs

/

iPhone

• PDAs/cell phones

• Google

•

Tivo

• Reality TV

• HD 3D video gaming

• Wiki

Music

• American Idol, Britney Spears,

Hillary Duff, Black-eyed Peas,

Usher, Snoop

DoggSlide28

Working with Traditionals

Try:

• Formal, structured work environments – face to face meetings

• Close proximity to co-workers

• Partnering them with new hires

• When communicating be clear, polite and concise

• Train on new technology

• Recognition for their loyalty and service

If you are a Traditional:

• Speak your mind – rock the boat

• Try mentoring roles with Gen Y

• Share your knowledge and be open to new things

Traditional

motto – “Ask not what your country can do for you – but what you can do for your country.” JFKSlide29

Working with Boomers

Try:

• Have easy to use technology or nontechnology

options (phone is key)

• Like to work in teams, collaboration and hands-on training

• Lots of areas for impromptu meetings (break rooms, resource areas, etc.)

• Including competition in some form

• Make it about them – Their nickname is the Me generation

• Focus on how they fit in the big picture (hierarchy)

If you are a Boomer:

• Try not to be overly sensitive

• Put the process ahead of the results

• Be open to others with differing opinions

Boomer

motto – “He who has the most toys –WINS!”Slide30

Working with Gen X

Try:

• Using technology

• Get to the point

• Be sincere

• Problem solving orientation

• Training

If you are an

Xer

:

• Engage with your team.

• Ask for what you need.

• Be patient with the process.

• Lighten up!

Gen X motto – “Get a life and have some fun.”Slide31

Working with Gen Y

Try:

• Nurture them.

• Be open and friendly.

• Make it fast and fun.

• Give them opportunities for

• collaboration.

If you are a Gen Y:

• Strive for independence.

• Look for a mentor.

• Listen more, talk less.

• Learn to deal with conflict

Gen Y’s motto – “Make yourself useful and change the world!”Slide32

Working with Gen Z

This group is so new, we are not sure.

Try:

• Only time will tell.Slide33

Core Behaviors for Managers

Believing in employees

2. Helping employees

achieve balance

3. Developing career plans with employees

4. Adapting to differencesSlide34

Office Managers

Focus on the mission, goals, and vision

Create group synergy

Validate the need for individuality, but the need for team work

Create an environment for open communication

Enforceable Guidelines Slide35
Slide36

What are They Looking For?

Traditionals

• Consistency

• Structure

• Clear rules

Boomers

• Leadership opportunities

• Team environment

• Friendly atmosphere

Gen X

• Flexibility

• Fun/informal

• Development opportunities

Gen Y

• Collaboration

• Challenges

• Fun and flexibleSlide37

Team Members Must

Everyone must know their roles

They must know the impact of not performing them as a team

They must be properly trained

Older techs are role models for the other staff…

make sure they perform in a manner you want others staff to perform

Must establish mutual trust

They must be held accountable

Must be rewarded

Must be reprimanded

Accountability

MUST BE SPECIFIC

A leaders feelings should not be the reason for rewards or reprimands!Slide38

Team Concepts

Open Discussion

Each stakeholder or group must be aware of the teams importance

Purpose or mission of team

What is the expected outcome

Resources needed to support the team in it works

Vision/direction

Values:

courtesy

,

respect,

sensitivity

Team Goals…established mark for all members to attain

Team Efficiency is based on a team’s synergySlide39

Attributes of Every Good Team

Trust…

linked to the behavior of team

Ethical Behavior…

doing what is right

Sharing…

actively listening and speaking

Critical Judgment…

sincere/tactful criticism

Synergy…

the ability to work with harmony/smoothly

Cooperation…

breeds ownership

Integrity…the bridge between character and conductSlide40

Out of the box performance

Great teams are never satisfied with status quo

Thinking outside of the box is a common practiceSlide41

Keys to Effective Teams

Building Rapport and Relationships

Respect for what others do is a must!

Relationships among team members are the bonds that enable teams to accomplish goals

Relationships with other teams are the bonds that help to cross team boundaries to accomplish even moreSlide42

Keys Cont….

Trust

If you forget any of the others, don’t forget this one

Trust is the cornerstone by which all teams build

Attitude

A positive attitude is a must

In the infamous words of Buzz

Lightyear

“To infinity and Beyond”Slide43

Keys Cont….

Flexibility…maintain a rigid state of flexibility

Skill/Experience

- are the essential tools required to accomplish the team task

Group Behavior

- critical to goals, vision, and mission, accomplishments (how well we work and play together)Slide44

Elements of Teamwork

Effective Communication

Commitment at all levels

Leadership

Common Purpose

Common Goals

Understanding Roles

Ownership

Mutual Respect

Satisfaction

Defined success

RelationshipsSlide45

10 Things Every Employee Should Do

Show up on time

Come prepared to work

Greet your co-workers

Communicate effectively

Ask questions

Get involved

Avoid gossip

Be positive

Check out with co-workers before you leaveSlide46

S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Specific

Focused on critical items

Measurable

Concrete deliverables

Achievable

Produces highest performance and motivation

Relevant

Currency on important issues

Time based

Must have deadlines

Make a score card to track the goals

Use a thermometer or some other device to show progress for allSlide47

Leadership Guidance

Guidance from a new commander:

Col Pheln

--Do the right things, and do right

--Take the initiative, own the mission

--Lead humbly, follow enthusiastically

--Care for Airmen and their families

--Be safeSlide48

Communication

A woman is standing nude, looking in the bedroom mirror.

She is not happy with what she sees and says to her husband, 'I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly.

I really need you to pay me a compliment.'

The husband replies, 'Your eyesight's darn near perfect.‘

And then the fight started.....Slide49

Benefits of Effective Teams

Accomplish more faster

Every team member becomes stronger as the team becomes stronger

Higher expectations, higher outcomes

Staff is happier/motivated

Less time spent on trivial matters

Many, more….surveySlide50

How to be Flexible

• Keep a bulletin board in the

breakroom

with family photos

• Be clear with dress code

• Be sensitive about religious

holidays

• Update your policy manual

• Options for time off

• Ask your employees to

educate you about them

• Have an open door policySlide51

Resources

• Your coworkers, kids and grandkids

• The Internet

• Conventions/conferences/classes

• Books

– Connecting Generations, Claire Raines

– Generations at Work,

Zemke

, Raines and

Filipczak

– America Generations, Mitchell

– Managing Generation Y, Martin and

Tulgan

– Beyond Generation X, Raines

– The Next Generation, Leung