A core challenge over the time been will be to attract and retain a skilled work force as the labor market continues to tighten, technology continues to evolve, and fewer foreign students immigrate to America for job opportunities. This situation is exacerbated as companies find themselves managing four generations of American workers:
1- Silents (Born between 1925 and 1946)
2- Baby Boomers (Born between 1946 and 1964)
3- Generation Xers (Born between 1965 and 1980)
4- Generation Ys or Millennials (born after 1980)
2. TRADITIONALISTS BABY BOOMER GENERATION X
65-88 years old 46-64 years old 30-45 years old
Work Ethics Hard Work Workaholics Eliminate the task
Respect authority Work efficiently Self-reliance
Sacrifice Crusading causes Wants structure &
Duty before fun Personal fulfillment directions
Adhere to Rules Desire quality Skeptical
Work is An obligation An exciting adventure A difficult challenge
A contract
Messages Your experience is You are valued Do it your way
that
motivate respected You are needed Forget the rules
3. For the first time in history, 3 generations are
available the same job market often in the
same job.
4. When considering generational differences, certain
generalizations are utilized.
Not everyone in a specific generation will exhibit all of these
characteristics, but most will exhibit some of these traits.
5. TRADITIONALISTS BABY BOOMERS
65-88 years old 46-64 years old
Disciplined Optimistic
Dutiful Achievement-oriented
Loyal Self-importance
Conservative Individuality
Patriotic Consumption
Cool
Challenge routins
GENERATION X MILLENNIALS
30-45 years old 10-20 years old
Independent Optimistic
Self-centered Ordered
Disloyal Respectful of authority
Survivors Open-minded
Focused on money Tolerant
Technologically savvy
Entitled
6. TRADITIONALISTS
Who Are They?
Born pre-1946
52 Million
5-7% of the workplace
Hold close to 2/3 of nations financial assets
Matures/veterans/The Silents
Strengths
Disciplined, Experienced, Committed
Fit jobs with:
- Big units to manage
- Strategic management requirements
- Advisory roles
- Change management needs
- Solid regulations
7. BABY-BOOMERS
Who Are They?
Born 1946-1960/1964
75 million
15-55% of the workforce
A new 50-year-old every 7 seconds
Strengths
Residual idealism, Can Do attitude.
Fit Jobs with:
- project management,
- force systems Implementations,
- on-going Problem solving,
- design&develop systems,
Fit jobs with needs of:
- Alignment with others needs,
- Change management needs
- Solid regulations
- Long working hours
8. GENERATION X
Who Are They?
Born 1960/64-1979
45 million
35-45% of the workforce
Strengths
Independent, Results-oriented,
Creative/adaptable
Fit jobs with:
- Flexible attendance
- High work benefits
- New design ideas
- Less subordinates
9. MILLENNIALS
Who Are They?
Born 1980 2000
70 million
2-5% of the workforce
Strengths
Multi-taskers, Globalized, Commitment to
mission, Collaboration/teamwork, Tolerance
of differences
Fit jobs with:
- Communication bases skills
- Easy jonior technical skills
- High efforts to achieve results
10. From the Top Down
Traditonalists are disciplined conformists
who work well in a structured, hierarchical
environment.
They are in the distinct minority in the workplace,
but often hold much of the authority.
11. Baby Boomers
Distrust Traditionalists as too conforming.
Stress individuality and independence.
They could be excellent mentors to the Millennials, because they share many
of the same values.
View Millennials as spoiled.
12. Generation Xers
View Traditionalists as out of touch and Boomers as na誰ve.
See themselves as strong, survivors.
Money is their guiding principle.
Do not prefer to work in collaboration with others; do not share
Millennial preference for team-work.
Not afraid to buck tradition in the name of progress.
Whats in it for me?
Do not understand Millennial need for
structure and feedback.
13. Millennials
Entitled; dont understand paying dues.
Technologically savvy.
Seek work-life balance.
Often lack social/political skills.
Want to collaborate.
Lack self-confidence, but have high self-esteem.
Require clear guidelines, policies, feedback.
Often manage up.