Generations in the Workplace
Dr. Michael Wesson – Dept of Mgmt - 2/29/12 – HR Liaison Meeting
What is a generation? A generation can be defined as a group of people born roughly within a twenty year time period during the same era in history.
Generations differ because shared events define and influence a generation’s values who all come of age around the same time. This does not mean they differ on everything and they do overlap. One can’t assume everyone from a generation is the same. When we talk of differences we are talking about mean differences.
Five Major Workplace Differences
Need for immediate and continual feedback - X’ers and Millennials are different from Boomers who are annoyed when told things more than once
Respect for Authority - Boomers used to “distance” between management and subordinates; X’ers and Millennials don’t see that difference and are willing to ask questions that might be viewed as disrespectful.
Loyalty - Boomers commit to the company; X’ers commit to people; Millennials commit to an idea or cause
Work-Life Balance - X’ers and Millennials work to live. Results are more important than the process. Boomers believe in “face time” and the fact that hours spent working do count for something.
Motivation - Millennials need to see the “why” before the “what”. Boomers more comfortable with authority and top-down management
Lessons and “Best Practices” for Managers
• Adapting - Willingness to understand that the other generations have different backgrounds and mindsets – What makes you “react”?
• Communicating - Boomers will need to “reach out” because Millennials don’t know how to.
• Envisioning - Creating meaning (“why”) and accountability (explicit expectations)