1 The Echo Boom/Millennials… Much is expected of the children born between 1982 and 2000, an 80 million in number cohort variously called : Generation.

1

The Echo Boom/Millennials… Much is expected of the children born between

1982 and 2000, an 80 million in number cohort variously called :

Generation Y Echo Boom

Net GenerationMillennials

2

Generations

Each generation is not a linear

extension of the one before

Each generation is shaped by the

events and culture into which it is

born

Each generation approaches

life stages in different ways

3

Overview of the Generations

Common experiences shape each generation’s attitudes, values & behavior (Ex. social, economic and political events)

Generational characteristics help us recognize the different perspectives and priorities of each generation

Generational differences have implications in the workplace, classroom, and social settings

4

G.I. (born 1900-1924) Loyal

Silent (1925-1942) Traditional

Baby Boomers (born 1943-1960) Optimistic

Generation X-ers (born 1961-1981) Skeptical

Millennials (born 1982- ) Realistic

From When Generations Collide by Lynne C. Lancaster and David Stillman

Living Generation Comparison

Today there could be as many as four distinct generations in one classroom or seated across from one another at

a conference table

5

Silent-Traditionalists (born 1925-1942)

Other Names: Matures, The Swing Generation, Veterans

Common event: Bombing of Pearl Harbor

Traits:Grew up in “do-without” eraDedication, sacrifice, saversDuty, honor, countryRespect authority; comfortable with hierarchyLike details; uncomfortable with ambiguity and changeAge = Seniority

Silent-Traditionalists

Core ValuesDedicationHard WorkConformityLaw and OrderPatienceDelayed RewardDuty Before PleasureAdherence to RulesHonorVeterans

Core ValuesDedicationHard WorkConformityLaw and OrderPatienceDelayed RewardDuty Before PleasureAdherence to RulesHonorVeterans

Important EventsLindbergh Completes First

Transatlantic FlightStock Market CrashDepressionThe New DealSocial SecurityPearl HarborFDR DiesKorean War

Important EventsLindbergh Completes First

Transatlantic FlightStock Market CrashDepressionThe New DealSocial SecurityPearl HarborFDR DiesKorean War

Kewpie Dolls, Mickey Mouse, Flash Gordon, Radio, Wheaties, Tarzan, Jukeboxes, Blondie, The

Lone Ranger, McCarthy

Kewpie Dolls, Mickey Mouse, Flash Gordon, Radio, Wheaties, Tarzan, Jukeboxes, Blondie, The

Lone Ranger, McCarthy

Cultural MemorabiliaCultural Memorabilia

7

The Silent-Traditionalists Generation

Post Depression

FDR

Social Security

World War II

First Computer

Pearl Harbor

Korean War

The American

Dream

8

Baby Boomers (born 1943-1960/63) Optimistic

Common event: President Kennedy’s Assassination

Traits:Grew up in one of the healthiest economies OptimisticWorkaholics; created the 60-hour workweekDefined by their jobConsumers; success is largely visibleLove-hate relationship with management; likely to challenge authority but want leadership positions

The Baby Boomers 1943–1960/63

Core ValuesOptimismTeam OrientationPersonal GratificationHealth and WellnessPersonal GrowthYouthWorkInvolvement

Core ValuesOptimismTeam OrientationPersonal GratificationHealth and WellnessPersonal GrowthYouthWorkInvolvement

Important EventsRosa ParksFirst Nuclear Power PlantThe Civil Rights ActCuban Missile CrisisJohn GlenMartin Luther King Leads March on Washington, D.C.President John Kennedy assassinatedNational Organization for Women FoundedMartin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy assassinated

Important EventsRosa ParksFirst Nuclear Power PlantThe Civil Rights ActCuban Missile CrisisJohn GlenMartin Luther King Leads March on Washington, D.C.President John Kennedy assassinatedNational Organization for Women FoundedMartin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy assassinated

“The Ed Sullivan Show,” Fallout Shelters, Poodle Skirts and Pop Beads, Slinkies, TV Dinners, Hula Hoops,The Peace Sign, “Laugh In”

“The Ed Sullivan Show,” Fallout Shelters, Poodle Skirts and Pop Beads, Slinkies, TV Dinners, Hula Hoops,The Peace Sign, “Laugh In”


10

Baby Boomers

Civil Rights

JFK

Cuban Missile Crisis

Vietnam

Xerox Copier

Moon Landing

Woodstock

Women’s Lib.

The Baby Boomers

12

Generation X (born 1961-1981) Skeptical

Common event: The Challenger Explosion

Traits:Grew up when national institutions came under question. Ex: inflation, oil shortage, WatergateLayoffs; end of lifelong employment for their parentsNo common heroesWary of commitment, professionally and personallyCynical & pessimisticComfortable with changeSelf-reliant; fend for themselves, they were the latch-key children

The Gen Xers 1961–1981Core ValuesDedicationHard WorkConformityLaw and OrderPatienceDelayed rewardDuty before pleasureAdherence to rulesHonor

Core ValuesDedicationHard WorkConformityLaw and OrderPatienceDelayed rewardDuty before pleasureAdherence to rulesHonor

Important EventsWomen’s Liberation ProtestsWatergate ScandalEnergy Crisis beginsTandy and Apple market PCsMass Suicide in JonestownThree Mile IslandUS Corporations begin Massive LayoffsIran Hostage CrisisJohn Lennon shot and killedRonald Reagan inauguratedChallenger disasterExxon Valdez Oil Tanker Spill

Important EventsWomen’s Liberation ProtestsWatergate ScandalEnergy Crisis beginsTandy and Apple market PCsMass Suicide in JonestownThree Mile IslandUS Corporations begin Massive LayoffsIran Hostage CrisisJohn Lennon shot and killedRonald Reagan inauguratedChallenger disasterExxon Valdez Oil Tanker Spill

“The Brady Bunch,” Pet Rocks, Platform Shoes, “The Simpsons,” “Dynasty,” ET, Cabbage Patch Dolls

“The Brady Bunch,” Pet Rocks, Platform Shoes, “The Simpsons,” “Dynasty,” ET, Cabbage Patch Dolls


Generation X

Energy Crisis

Watergate

First PC’s

Corporate Layoffs

John Lennon’s Murder

The Challenger Disaster

Exxon Valdez

Fall of The Berlin Wall

Aids

16

Traditionalists (born 1925 -1942)Traditionalists (born 1925 -1942) Loyal

Baby Boomers (born 1943-1960)Baby Boomers (born 1943-1960) Optimistic

Generation X-ers (born 1961-1981)Generation X-ers (born 1961-1981) Skeptical

Millennials (born 1982- )Millennials (born 1982- ) Realistic


Generational Comparison

17

View on Career Goals


Traditionalists

Baby BoomersBaby Boomers

Gen XersGen Xers

MillennialsMillennials

Build a Legacy

Build a Stellar Career

Build a Portable Career

Build Parallel Careers

18

View on Rewards


Traditionalists


Gen XersGen Xers


The satisfaction of a job well done

Money, title, recognition, the corner office

Freedom is the ultimate reward

Work that has meaning for me

19

View on Life Balance


Traditionalists


Gen XersGen Xers


Support me in shifting the balance

Help me balance everyone else and find meaning myself

Give me balance now, not when I’m sixty-five

Work isn’t everything; I need flexibility so I can balance all my activities

20

View on Job Changing


Traditionalists


Gen XersGen Xers


Job changing carries a stigma

Job changing puts you behind

Job changing is necessary

Job changing is part of my daily routine

21

View on Feedback

Traditionalists No news is good news

Baby Boomers Feedback once a year, but with lots of documentation

Gen Xers Sorry to interrupt, but how am I doing?

Millennials Feedback whenever I want it at the push of a button


22

View on Training & Development

Traditionalists I learned the hard way; you can too!

Baby Boomers Train ‘em too much and they’ll leave.

Gen Xers The more they learn, the more they stay.

Millennials Continuous learning is a way of life.


1 The Echo Boom/Millennials… Much is expected of the children born between 1982 and 2000, an 80 million in number cohort variously called : Generation.

Documents

swing generation

generation comparison

social settings slide

seniority slide

optimistic generation

pearl harbor traits

values behavior

generations common experiences