Leadership Skills

Generation Gap

Many people have preconceptions about people based on their experiences. Many of these conceptions come are based on a person's age. If you think the generation gap only refers only to the older generations, you might be surprised to learn that each generation has different views because of their experiences early in life. In fact, most of us are shaped by our experiences and observations before age 18.

During Their Lifetime

Each generation went through completely different experiences, and those experiences formed their views on family, work, education, communication, and technology.

Traditionalists (born 1900 to 1945)

• Worked longer than any other generation
• Lived thorugh The Depression or World War II
• Had very tough lives: worked hard and saved
• Had two parent families with a stay-at-home mother
• Are loyal to family, friends, and employers
• Are retired, nearing retirement, or working part time

Most organizations have Traditionalists on their boards of directors. These are the people who set the tone for the workplace, develop the organizational rules, create the workplace culture, and set the strategic direciton. Traditionalists parented the Baby Boomers.

Baby Boomers (born 1946 to 1964)

• Raised to have things their parents lacked
• Are generally optimistic
• Are competitive (because there so many of them)
• Put in very long hours at work
• Campaigned against wars and for rights
• Want acknowledgement for their efforts

During this generation, women were in the work force, and that resulted in higher divorce rates. The children were often raised in child care centers and known as latchkey kids. Children saw their parents working extremely long hours and sacrificing family time for work. These children also witnessed gasoline rationing and their parents being laid off or downsized during an economic downturn with double-digit inflation.

Generation X (born 1965 to 1980)

• More economically conservative than their parents
• Have a strong need for family connections
• Will not sacrifice long work hours and stress like their parents' generation
• Do not expect companies to be loyal
• They are very independent yet like collaboration
• Want work/life balance
• Like technology
• Not interested in hierarchical structures
• Have an entrepreneurial spirit

Generation X is used to collaborative education because that was used in the classroom; they are team-oriented. There were many technological changes, and this generation ushered in the era of video games and personal computers. Generation Xers want things to happen quickly and efficiently. As parents, Generation Xers wanted their children to have full lives, and they scheduled their children's social and educational activities.

Millennials (born 1981 to 1999)

• Were raised during an affluent time
• Had very supportive parents and teachers
• Learned to multi-task because of the pressure to be successful in the classroom and in their many extra-curricular activities
• Are comfortable with technology (not necessarily efficient)
• Value social networking
• Have blurred lines between work and life
• Need a structured work setting
• Ask a lot of questions
• Need flexibility in their lives and at work

Millennials have had cell phones, pagers, and personal computers all of their lives. They have extremely high self-esteem and high confidence. They are used to full lives combining family, education, and extracurricular activities.

Tips for Working with the Generations

Those born near the dividing lines for the generations may have traits from both generations. Also, those raised by parents from a different generation will have influences from that generation. Rather than see the generations as lacking, look for the variety that comes from these different perspectives.

1. Be respectful: Focus on strengths while acknowledging the differents. Value experience and personal history. Ask questions for clarification. Use humor and a positive outlook.
2. Communicate appropriately: Be brief and use bullets. Use face-to-face and written communication, as needed. Avoid jargon, acronyms, and cliches. Pay attention when multi-tasking. Hold efficient meetings.
3. Be personable: Be available to answer questions. Ask questions. Communicate the big picture. Be a positive role model.
4. Support others: Build morale. Manage conflict. Value Diversity. Encourage continued education. Provide timely feedback. Use technology. Mentor others. Have fun.