Companies today face a workforce challenge unlike any other time in history. There are four generations in the workplace and that level of diversity can create an unbelievable amount of frustration, anxiety, and — sometimes — anger. If you have ever been frustrated by a coworker who takes days to respond to your voicemail or rolled your eyes at a coworker who wants a promotion after being on the job for two months, then there is a good chance you are experiencing the generation “canyon” firsthand. The oldest of the four groups is the Veteran generation. After that come the infamous Baby Boomers, Generation X, and, finally, the Millennials. Each group has its own values, methods of communicating, and perspectives on the workplace. No matter which group you call your own, you will undoubtedly be faced with managing or being managed by someone from a different generation. If your work life is frustrating because of the generation canyon, then the following insights may help. Of course, these are generalizations so they don’t apply to everyone but there’s a good chance you can relate to them!
The oldest group, The Veterans, are now in their mid-60’s and older. They come from a time when the Great Depression was an open wound, World War II was a part of life, and Social Security was newly established. They have unwavering respect for authority and follow rules willingly. They value elders for their accumulated wisdom and they respect those who pass wisdom on to younger generations. In the workplace, they value formal communication and hierarchies. Written communication is best but that does not mean they are comfortable with email.
The Baby Boomers are now in their late-40’s to mid-60’s. They were raised in a time when the scars of World War II were healing and the GI bill promised cheap homes and many jobs. Suburbia exploded with activity as families were reunited and the birthrate skyrocketed (thus the name “Baby Boomer”). People in this generation value independence and they challenge the status quo. They are goal-oriented and value working long hours; some would say that this generation “invented” overtime at work. The civil rights movement created a sense of change and an almost epidemic rebellion against the rigid nature of their parents. Written communication is the best method for this group as are projects that include finding new ways to do things. Flexible work schedules and a balance between work life and home life are foreign concepts to them.
People from Generation X (“Gen Xers”) are now in their early 30’s to late 40’s. Their youth was one where their parents were divorcing at twice the rate of their grandparents and many single mothers found themselves taking fulltime jobs to support their children who became known as “latchkey kids.” The term originated because they were given house keys to let themselves in after school. People in this generation tend to be independent, resourceful, self-sufficient and very adaptable. They grew up with computers and are comfortable with technology as a part of life. In the workplace, this group strongly dislikes being micro-managed and they put high value on achieving balance in their personal and work life.
The Millennials are now in their 20’s to early 30’s and have also been called Generation Y or the Echo Boomers. They grew up with Gen X parents committed to raising kids differently and believing that self-esteem was paramount. That belief led to negotiated discipline and parental decisions that included input from the children. Team sports had no winners and no losers and bedroom shelves were filled with trophies just for participating. The explosion of technology fueled an explosion in their capacity for learning and processing information and it is far greater than that of any earlier generation. In the workplace, they need constant challenge and they have high expectations for their employers including frequent feedback on their progress and a fast path to more responsibility. Do not be surprised that they challenge authority and expect to be included in management decisions regardless of their position. It is what they grew up with, and they do it as a means to make improvements — not as means of being disrespectful. They see voicemail as a waste of time and email as too slow. Instead, texting and social media allow them to have several, simultaneous, conversations and be more efficient.
It is said that Change is the only constant in life. For companies in today’s environment, the changing workforce creates challenges unlike any before. The key is to gain an understanding of who your employees are and how they perceive the world. That understanding and a willingness to adapt to it is the best hope of building a bridge across the generation canyon.
