And how it applies to you Presented By: Emily Embry Oconee County Public Library.

Inter-generational Communication

And how it applies to you

Presented By: Emily EmbryOconee County Public Library

Inter-generational communication"at no time in our history have so many and such different generations with such diversity been asked to work together, shoulder to shoulder, side by side, cubicle to cubicle." (Zemke, Raines,and Filipczak, 2013)

Traditionalists (before 1943)

The Babyboomers (1943 -1960)

Generation X (1960 – 1980)

Millenials (1980 – 1995)

Linksters (1995 – present)

Inter-generational communicationDisclaimer

The research listed is based on describing a "cohort of people" which may mean that some of the generational characteristics may or may not apply to you or your coworkers from different generations.

Traditionalists (before 1943)

The Babyboomers (1943 -1960)

Generation X (1960 – 1980)

Millenials (1980 – 1995)

Linksters (1995 – present)

Similarities and Differences in each cohort

Four Areas that describe the characteristics of each generational cohort. Core Values

Personality

Assets/Liabilities

Leadership/Team Member qualities

Core Values• Dedication• Sacrifice• Hard work

• Conformity• Law & Order• Respect

• Patience• Delayed gratification• Duty & Honor

Core Values• Dedication• Sacrifice• Hard work

• Conformity• Law & Order• Respect

• Patience• Delayed gratification• Duty & Honor

Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960)• Optimism• Team oriented• Personal gratification• Health & wellness

• Personal growth• Youth• Work• Involvement

Core Values• Dedication• Sacrifice• Hard work

• Conformity• Law & Order• Respect

• Patience• Delayed gratification• Duty & Honor

Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960)• Optimism• Team oriented• Personal gratification• Health & wellness

• Personal growth• Youth• Work• Involvement

Generation X (1960 – 1980)• Diversity• Thinking globally• Balance• Techno-literacy

• Fun• Informality• Self-reliance• Pragmatism

Core Values• Dedication• Sacrifice• Hard work

• Conformity• Law & Order• Respect

• Patience• Delayed gratification• Duty & Honor

Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960)• Optimism• Team oriented• Personal gratification• Health & wellness

• Personal growth• Youth• Work• Involvement

Generation X (1960 – 1980)• Diversity• Thinking globally• Balance• Techno-literacy

• Fun• Informality• Self-reliance• Pragmatism

Millenials (1980 – 1995)• Optimism• Civic Duty• Confidence • Achievement

• Sociability• Diversity

Personality• Like consistency and uniformity• Like things on a grand scale• Believe in logic, not magic

• They are disciplined• Past oriented and history absorbed• Spending style is conservative

Personality• Like consistency and uniformity• Like things on a grand scale• Believe in logic, not magic

• They are disciplined• Past oriented and history absorbed• Spending style is conservative

Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960)• Believe in growth and expansion• Tend towards optimism• Know all about teamwork• Have always been the cool kids

• Pursued personal gratification,

often at a high price• They have searched their souls

repeatedly, obsessively, recreationally

Personality• Like consistency and uniformity• Like things on a grand scale• Believe in logic, not magic

• They are disciplined• Past oriented and history absorbed• Spending style is conservative

Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960)• Believe in growth and expansion• Tend towards optimism• Know all about teamwork• Have always been the cool kids

• Pursued personal gratification,

often at a high price• They have searched their souls

repeatedly, obsessively, recreationally

Generation X (1960 – 1980)• Self reliant• They want balance• The have a non-traditional

orientation about time and space• Their approach to authority is casual

• They are cynical• Continue to be tech savvy• Attracted to the edge

Personality• Like consistency and uniformity• Like things on a grand scale• Believe in logic, not magic

• They are disciplined• Past oriented and history absorbed• Spending style is conservative

Baby Boomers (1943 – 1960)• Believe in growth and expansion• Tend towards optimism• Know all about teamwork• Have always been the cool kids

• Pursued personal gratification,

often at a high price• They have searched their souls

repeatedly, obsessively, recreationally

Generation X (1960 – 1980)• Self reliant• They want balance• The have a non-traditional

orientation about time and space• Their approach to authority is casual

• They are cynical• Continue to be tech savvy• Attracted to the edge

Millenials (1980 – 1995)• Resiliently optimistic• Digital natives• Collaborative• Goal and Achievement Oriented

• Diverse• Confident

AssetsTraditionalistsStable, Loyal, and

Hardworking

Baby BoomersDriven, want to please, and

willing to “go the extra mile”

Generation XAdaptability, Creative, and

Independent

MillenialsTenacious, Multi-tasking

capabilities, Tech Savvy

LiabilitiesTraditionalists Inept with change Uncomfortable with conflict Reticent to disagree

Baby Boomers May put process ahead of result Defensive in face of feedback Judgmental of differing opinions

Generation X Impatient Distrustful of Authority Inept at office Politics

Millenials Need for Supervision and Structure Demand for constant feedback Helicopter parents

Leadership Team MembersTraditionalists Command ControlBaby Boomers Personal Approach Informal Political Generation X Pragmatic RealisticMillenials They want it their way They know they are not ready Believe in Transparency

Traditionalists Need a strong leader to tell them

exactly what, when, and howBaby Boomers Feel the need to prove themselves Don’t suffer fools but may not

confront them eitherGeneration X Prefer working alone or on virtual

teams Demand high productivity and

quick completion of tasks to free up more personal time “work hard, play hard”

Millenials Need for Supervision and Structure Demand for constant feedback Helicopter parents

Linksters (1995 – present)True Digital nativesLove texting limited face to face communication

Challenges:work part-timeLove flex schedulesstaying connectedneed clear direction

What does all this have to do with Communication?

Challenges:Differences in

Core Values Negative

perceptions Inhibited

collaboration due to lack of understanding among the different generations.

SolutionsOver Communication Raise your Social I.Q. (Soft Skills)Being aware of differencesFind opportunities to get to know your co-workers

from different generations Boundaries – “good fences make good neighbors”

Questions to ask ourselves?Am I communicating with my staff/fellow co-

workers enough?Am I communicating in a professional manor?How is my Social I.Q. ?

Harvard Study: http://socialintelligence.labinthewild.org/mite/

Social IQ/Soft SkillsCommunicationEnthusiasm & “I Can”Attitude TeamworkNetworking

Kare Anderson, Be an opportunity maker : https://www.ted.com/talks/kare_anderson_be_an_opportunity_maker

Problem Solving & Critical ThinkingProfessionalism

ConclusionWe as librarians work with and for multiple

generations. It is important to remind ourselves of the golden rule when working with staff and patrons while maintaining a professional attitude.

Questions

[email protected]

References Bersin, J. (2013) Millennials Will Soon Rule The World: But How will

they lead? Retrieved on 10/15/15 from www.forbes.com/sites/joshbersin/2013/09/12millenials-will-

soon-rule-the-world-but-how-will-they-lead/2/ Redstone Arsenal (2014) Resiliency Training Notes. Johnson, M. and Johnson, L. (2010) Generations, Inc.: From Boomers to

Linksters - Managing the Friction Between Generations at Work. New York, NY: American Management Association.

Post, P. and Post, P., (2005) Emily Post's The Etiquette advantage in Business. New York, NY: Harper Resource; 2nd Ed.

Zemke, R. Raines, C., and Filipczak, B. (2013) Generation at Work: Managing the Clash of Boomers, GenXers, and GenYers in the work place. New York, NY: American Managment Association.

Thank you!