Perceptions of the Baby Boomer, Generation X, and Millennial Generations

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1 Perceptions of the Baby Boomer, Generation X, and Millennial Generations Characteristic Adaptability Manageability Teamwork Balance Loyalty Perception All generations perceived their generation as adaptable. Generation Xers and Millennials considered Baby Boomers as less adaptable than themselves. Specifically, it was thought that Baby Boomers were less comfortable with technology, resisted change, and were not accepting of diversity. All generations felt Millennials were the most challenging to manage. Baby Boomers and Generation Xers believed Millennials required closer supervision, were less likely to follow procedures, and were less results-driven than fellow workplace generations. All generations considered themselves as good team players; however, there were some differences in how each generation perceived the work ethic of the others. Generation Xers and Millennials viewed their generations as hard working, while some Baby Boomers and Generation X members regarded the Millennials as less willing to provide maximum effort in the workplace. All generations reported they sought a work and life balance. Generation Xers and Millennials perceived themselves more slightly more likely to seek a work and life balance than their Baby Boomer colleagues. Each generation also perceived Generation Xers and Millennials to hold more of a preference for informality in the workplace than the Baby Boomers. All generations reported themselves to be somewhat trusting of the organization, but Baby Boomers regarded the younger generations as less trusting than them. Generation Xers and Millennials concurred their generations were less likely to remain with an organization. Note: Adapted from Different generations, same objectives, by D. Watt (2010), CA Magazine, 142(2).

2 Generational Traits and Expectations of the Workplace Generation Traits Expectations Traditionalist Baby Boomers Generation X Millennials Dedicated Hard working Conformist Respect for authority Duty before pleasure Optimistic Team oriented Involved in planning Seek personal growth Values diversity Thinks globally Technologically literate Self-reliant Optimistic Confident Street smart Social Security from the organization Promotion based on longevity Wait for instructions Live to work Pursuit of goals Accepts but does not embrace change Works to live Promotion based on ability Mobility Expects to provide input Multitaskers Hard working Prefers structure Respects position Note. Adapted from Leveraging Generational Differences for Productivity Gains, by N. Patota, D. Schwartz, & T. Schwartz, (2007), Journal of United States Academy of Business, 11(2), p.3.

3 Generational Perceptions on Workplace Situations Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation X Millennials Behavior Follows the rules Challenges rules Changes rules Creates rules Training Learns the hard way Preferred in moderation Required to keep me Continuous and expected Learning style Classroom Facilitated Independent Collaborative Communication Top-down Guarded Hub and spoke Collaborative Problem solving Hierarchical Horizontal Independent Collaborative Decision making Seeks approval Team informed Team included Team decided Leadership style Command and control Unilateral Coach Partner Feedback No news is good news Annual review Weekly, at a minimum On demand Note. Adapted from A Multigenerational Perspective on Employee Communication, by P. Quinn, 2010, Risk Management, 57(1), p. 34.

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5 Scoring Sheet Add the numbers associated with the following letters: A + H + K + N + S = Orange C + F + J + O + R = Blue B + G + I+ M + T = Gold D + E + L + P + Q = Green

6 Your Personal Style STYLE BLUE GREEN GOLD ORANGE Core Need self-actualization competency social belonging freedom Overall Mood enthusiasm cool, calm, collected concerned excitable Trust imagination logic, consistency authority chance Views Themselves empathy competence dependability impact In Management the catalyst the visionary the traditionalist troubleshooter Supports growth invention institutions recreation Virtue loyalty strength generosity courage Stressed by feeling artificial inadequate rejection restrictions Seeks love insight jurisdiction, control freedom At Work harmonizing pragmatic, efficient procedural varied Esteemed by helping people finding insights being of service being resourceful Appreciated for unique contributions ideas accuracy cleverness Natural Intellect with people with strategy with material with senses When Disturbed becomes hysterical becomes compulsive becomes complaining becomes punitive Searching for roles problems security stimulation Dislikes hypocrisy injustice disobedience ineptness Thinks dogmatically, narrow agnostically, skeptic pessimistically, opportunistic Loves integrity, honesty justice obedience grace, elegance Causes of Guilt letting someone down lacking will power greed cowardice Irritated by being treated inept illogical thinking violating rules and being told how to Rewarded by acceptance affirming their wisdom appreciating their freedom

7 The Blending Process You can brighten yourself by adding color to your environment or climate. Your primary True Color is so bright and apparent, that there is a need to fade a shade, and draw up some of your other colors to bring about a balance. By developing such an ideal environment the result is a climate that supports everyone s positive attitudes. The following represents a sampling of responses from several thousand people when asked to de- scribe and share their values, joys, strengths, needs and stresses. The responses came from all genders, cultures and ethnicity. Values Honesty Friendship Sensitivity Harmony Compassion BLUE GREEN GOLD ORANGE Intellectual achievements Logic Knowledge Competency Loyalty Dependability Responsibility Honesty Perfection Freedom Fun/play Spontaneity Variety Adventure Joys Strengths Romance Family Friendships Music Affection Communication Creativity Nurturer Sincere Listening High achievement Recognition of ideas Personal achievement Meeting challenges Confidence Analysis/analytical Logical Problem-solver Determined Time for family Job satisfaction Home Order Sense of family Organized Commitment Consistent Responsible Dependable People Fun Adventure Excitement Performing Independence Flexible Takes action Energetic Optimistic Needs Stresses and Frustrations Harmony People Understanding Love Affection Disharmony Uncaring Time limits Lack of romance Challenge Need to understand Autonomy Truth and facts Accuracy Rules Unfairness or injustice Incompetency Nonsense rules Stability Consistency Organization Appreciation Time Lack of control Change Financial insecurity Inconsistency Freedom Variety Money Expression Being on time Unnecessary routine Waiting Lack of money

8 Improving Personal Relationships With A Bright Green By Recognizing their need for independence Valuing their abstract thinking, be aware of their curiosity Helping them with day-to-day details Preserving their privacy to think and to read Realizing their stress comes from the fear of appearing foolish Allowing them to be self-critical Understanding that they esteem themselves by being competent Praising with ingenuity, respect their inventions and ideas With A Bright Gold By Recognizing their need for security Remembering to be on time Trying to be extra organized and efficient Returning things you borrow Doing what you say you will Praising their responsible actions Acknowledging their stability Responding to important dates With A Bright Blue By Having one on one time, listen to them Recognizing their need to contribute Praising their imagination and creativity Reassuring them of your commitment to their success Sharing your thoughts and feelings Being open, responsive and supportive Being aware they wear their heart on their sleeve With A Bright Orange By Recognizing their need for freedom Valuing their playfulness Helping them to think before they act Being spontaneous and fun, don t slow them down Realizing their stress comes from lack of excitement Being adventuresome and optimistic Competing in fun Praising their skills Responding to their generosity

9 Improving Job Performance Of A Bright Green By Assigning projects which require analytical thinking and problem-solving Discussing your big picture with them and by eliciting their universal outlook Inspiring them with futuristic ideas and potentialities Respecting their inclination to go beyond the established rules of the system Allowing them the freedom to improve the system Taking their ideas to the next step and encouraging them to think independently Praising their inventiveness and their ingenuity Understanding their need to avoid redundancy and repetitive tasks With A Bright Gold By Assigning work which requires detailed planning and careful follow- through Defining the tasks in clear and concrete terms Being punctual and reliable Providing a well-structured, stable work environment and by avoiding abrupt changes Giving standard rules and regulation and setting a good example Praising their neatness, organizational capabilities and efficiency Giving regular and frequent feedback on any project to reassure them Recognizing their need to be straightforward, dependable, responsible, and business-minded Giving tangible recognition for their work With A Bright Blue By Creating a warm and personal working atmosphere Interacting as much as possible with openness and honesty Establishing a harmonious working environment and avoiding conflict and hostility Showing your support, caring, and appreciation Allowing them the freedom to express feelings and the time to heal emotional wounds Making use of their natural gifts for communication, nurturing, and people-oriented ideas Praising their imaginative and creative approach to the job Providing them with one-on-one feedback With A Bright Orange By Assigning projects which are action-packed and require a hands-on approach Providing opportunities to be skillful and adventurous Using their natural abilities as a negotiator Allowing them the freedom to do the job in their own style and in non-traditional ways Encouraging them to use their gifts of originality and flair Providing opportunities for job competition Allowing freedom of movement and understanding their preference for action over words Praising their performance and skillfulness while on the job