Generational Change – Helping the Veterans and Boomers to work with Generation Next Simon Willcock August 2008.

Generational Change – Generational Change – Helping the Veterans and Helping the Veterans and

Boomers to work with Boomers to work with Generation NextGeneration Next

Simon WillcockSimon WillcockAugust 2008August 2008

Dr AB

Has recently moved to your community with her partner and five year old child.

Has extensive past experience in Child health and Mental Health, both of which would be welcome in your practice.

When offered a position, Dr AB states that she will only work to 3.00 p.m. , three days per week, with no overtime or weekend work.

Dr XY

An enthusiastic Basic Term registrar who wants to be a procedural GP.

At a meeting of the practice principles, he states that the practice is not meeting its obligations in terms of face to face teaching, and that he has some ideas as to how this could be rectified.

So…..So…..

…….. How do we feel?.. How do we feel?

…….. How should we .. How should we respond?respond?

The Generation Gap!The Generation Gap!

““It’s becoming conventional wisdom that It’s becoming conventional wisdom that recent medical graduates are reluctant to recent medical graduates are reluctant to accept the responsibility of sole practice in accept the responsibility of sole practice in country areas or to work long and anti-country areas or to work long and anti-social hours…social hours…

If so, what coming generations of doctors If so, what coming generations of doctors might gain in lifestyle could be offset in might gain in lifestyle could be offset in lost community standing through forgone lost community standing through forgone opportunities to serve and inspire others.”opportunities to serve and inspire others.”

Shame on you!Shame on you!““It wasn’t that doctors of previous generations were It wasn’t that doctors of previous generations were

workaholics … Rather they had a finely honed workaholics … Rather they had a finely honed sense of the hierarchy of needs and believed that sense of the hierarchy of needs and believed that the mark of a leader was to look after others first. the mark of a leader was to look after others first.

In those more stoical times, medical families were In those more stoical times, medical families were prepared to accept that they had to share their prepared to accept that they had to share their husband and father with people whose immediate husband and father with people whose immediate need might be greater than theirs.”need might be greater than theirs.”

Tony Abbott – Australian Doctor magazine, 9 June 2005Tony Abbott – Australian Doctor magazine, 9 June 2005(Former Minister for Health , and Classic Baby Boomer!)(Former Minister for Health , and Classic Baby Boomer!)

The career expectations of medical graduates The career expectations of medical graduates today differ vastly from the expectations of today differ vastly from the expectations of their colleagues from previous generations. their colleagues from previous generations.

Research …. demonstrates that Research …. demonstrates that junior junior doctors doctors make career choices based on make career choices based on pragmatic factorspragmatic factors, such as income , such as income expectations, working hours, length of expectations, working hours, length of training time and availability of part-time training time and availability of part-time work, work, with sense of vocation being a with sense of vocation being a secondary considerationsecondary consideration..

Dr Clare A Skinner (MJA) 2006; 185 (1): 35-36Dr Clare A Skinner (MJA) 2006; 185 (1): 35-36

(Gen X’er)(Gen X’er)

Lifestyle! Bah…..Humbug!Lifestyle! Bah…..Humbug!

What does this mean?What does this mean?

1.1. Are generation X and Y doctors “different” from Are generation X and Y doctors “different” from their predecessors in their approach to work?their predecessors in their approach to work?

2.2. If they If they areare working differently, is this because working differently, is this because

- they really are less motivated, altruistic or - they really are less motivated, altruistic or robust?robust?

oror

- they are basically the same, but adapting to a - they are basically the same, but adapting to a changing world?changing world?

The Way we WorkThe Way we Work

Are we “different”?Are we “different”?

Medical Medical studentsstudents are the same as other young are the same as other young Australian adults in terms of psychological Australian adults in terms of psychological morbiditymorbidity

butbut Medical Medical graduatesgraduates have higher levels of burnout have higher levels of burnout

and psychological morbidity than the general and psychological morbidity than the general Australian population (WillcockAustralian population (Willcock et al – 2004) et al – 2004)

There is no evidence to suggest that recent There is no evidence to suggest that recent graduates have differing psychological profiles to graduates have differing psychological profiles to their predecessors (high in emotional sensitivity, their predecessors (high in emotional sensitivity, obsessive behaviours etc.)obsessive behaviours etc.)

So….So….

1.1. Are the observed differences due to Are the observed differences due to generational change?generational change?

2.2. If so, what are the implications of If so, what are the implications of generational change?generational change?

3.3. How do we adapt How do we adapt positively positively to this to this change?change?

Richard Lewis – Florida Radiology Richard Lewis – Florida Radiology Imaging - Imaging - Organisational Behaviour Organisational Behaviour meets Gen. X and Y - a Practical meets Gen. X and Y - a Practical Approach - Approach - (2005)(2005)

Jennifer Moody – Jennifer Moody – Recruiting Recruiting Generation X Physicians Generation X Physicians - NEJM; Jan-- NEJM; Jan-Feb,2002Feb,2002

Which of these events do you Which of these events do you remember from Primary remember from Primary

School?School? VJ day VJ day The First Moon LandingThe First Moon Landing 9/119/11 Shooting of John LennonShooting of John Lennon Melbourne OlympicsMelbourne Olympics The First Gulf WarThe First Gulf War The DismissalThe Dismissal The 1929 Wall Street Crash The 1929 Wall Street Crash

Which of these events do you Which of these events do you remember from Primary remember from Primary

School?School? VJ day VJ day (1945)(1945) The First Moon LandingThe First Moon Landing (1969)(1969) 9/119/11 (2001)(2001) Shooting of John LennonShooting of John Lennon (1980)(1980) Melbourne OlympicsMelbourne Olympics (1956)(1956) The First Gulf WarThe First Gulf War (1991)(1991) The Dismissal The Dismissal (1975)(1975)

The VeteransThe Veterans

Born 1922 – 1944 (now 62 – 84 years old)Born 1922 – 1944 (now 62 – 84 years old) Stock market crash Stock market crash – 1929– 1929 The abdication crisis The abdication crisis – 1936– 1936 The Bombing of Darwin The Bombing of Darwin – 1942– 1942 VJ day VJ day – 1945– 1945 Korean WarKorean War - 1951-3- 1951-3 The Cold WarThe Cold War - 1948 - 62- 1948 - 62

Veteran values and traitsVeteran values and traits

Hard Work and ThriftHard Work and Thrift Dedication and SacrificeDedication and Sacrifice Respect for Authority and strict Respect for Authority and strict

adherence to rulesadherence to rules Duty before Pleasure Duty before Pleasure

Veterans in the workplaceVeterans in the workplace

Seniority and age are directly correlatedSeniority and age are directly correlated Acceptance of directive leadershipAcceptance of directive leadership Obedience and Conformity over Obedience and Conformity over

IndividualismIndividualism Work ethic relates to a “manufacturing” Work ethic relates to a “manufacturing”

economy (level of input correlates with economy (level of input correlates with amount and quality of product)amount and quality of product)

The Baby BoomersThe Baby Boomers

Born 1945 – 1964 (now 44 - 63 years old)Born 1945 – 1964 (now 44 - 63 years old) TelevisionTelevision Rock MusicRock Music The PillThe Pill Moon LandingsMoon Landings The Kennedy assassination (USA)The Kennedy assassination (USA) Sir Robert Menzies (Australia)Sir Robert Menzies (Australia) Vietnam WarVietnam War

Boomer Values and TraitsBoomer Values and Traits

OptimismOptimism SecuritySecurity ““Liberation”Liberation” Personal growth and gratificationPersonal growth and gratification Health and wellnessHealth and wellness ““Involvement” rather than Involvement” rather than

“teamwork”“teamwork”

Boomers in the WorkplaceBoomers in the Workplace

Service oriented ( a legacy of the veterans)Service oriented ( a legacy of the veterans) Uncomfortable with conflictUncomfortable with conflict (Overly) sensitive to feedback(Overly) sensitive to feedback Opinionated and Judgmental Opinionated and Judgmental difficulty difficulty

accommodating alternative viewsaccommodating alternative views Respond well to directive leadership, but Respond well to directive leadership, but

understand complex organisational understand complex organisational behaviourbehaviour

Generation XGeneration X

Born 1965 – 1980 (now 28 – 43 years old)Born 1965 – 1980 (now 28 – 43 years old) FeminismFeminism Oil, Energy and Nuclear Power debatesOil, Energy and Nuclear Power debates Personal ComputersPersonal Computers AIDSAIDS Economic rationalism and Economic rationalism and

unemploymentunemployment ““Latch key” childrenLatch key” children

Gen X – Values and TraitsGen X – Values and Traits

Techno-literacyTechno-literacy Diversity and InformalityDiversity and Informality Balance and funBalance and fun Self-relianceSelf-reliance Motivated by independence, lack of Motivated by independence, lack of

rigid structures, technological rigid structures, technological advance and advance and equityequity

Gen X in the WorkplaceGen X in the Workplace

““This is just a job” This is just a job” (gasp, shock, horror)(gasp, shock, horror) Flexible hours Flexible hours Informal work environmentInformal work environment Negotiated Supervision Negotiated Supervision “Give them lots to do “Give them lots to do

and the freedom to do it their way”and the freedom to do it their way” Multi-taskingMulti-tasking Distaste for corporate politicsDistaste for corporate politics Work ethic is influenced by the globalisation Work ethic is influenced by the globalisation

and the “information economy”and the “information economy”

The myths about Gen XThe myths about Gen X

They’re materialisticThey’re materialistic They have it easyThey have it easy They’re whinersThey’re whiners They think they are “entitled”They think they are “entitled” They don’t want to work hardThey don’t want to work hard

The The truthtruth about Gen X – they about Gen X – they don’t want to be stereotyped!don’t want to be stereotyped!

How do you Teach, Train and How do you Teach, Train and Engage Gen XEngage Gen X

Use diverse methods, including web technologyUse diverse methods, including web technology

Use adult, self-directed learning techniquesUse adult, self-directed learning techniques

Expect and answer questionsExpect and answer questions

Validate the need for work-life balanceValidate the need for work-life balance

Less need for traditional “perks”, but they resent Less need for traditional “perks”, but they resent the inequity if they see the Boomers getting the inequity if they see the Boomers getting excessive perksexcessive perks

Generation YGeneration Y

Born 1981 - ? (Now up to 27 years old)Born 1981 - ? (Now up to 27 years old) The Internet, Laptops and Mobile PhonesThe Internet, Laptops and Mobile Phones 9/11, Madrid, London9/11, Madrid, London Pay TVPay TV Sydney OlympicsSydney Olympics TampaTampa Hillsong ChurchHillsong Church

Generation Y – Values and Generation Y – Values and TraitsTraits

Optimism and ConfidenceOptimism and Confidence Civic Duty and MoralityCivic Duty and Morality Techno-savvyTechno-savvy Street smart and tenaciousStreet smart and tenacious Group orientedGroup oriented HeroicHeroic

Generation GapGeneration Gap

Generation Y in the Generation Y in the WorkplaceWorkplace

Challenge them Challenge them They are better team workers than They are better team workers than

their sibs from Gen Xtheir sibs from Gen X They want inspirationThey want inspiration They want heroesThey want heroes They want it now!They want it now!

Myths about Generation YMyths about Generation Y

They spend too much time watching TV They spend too much time watching TV and playing video gamesand playing video games

They are getting a great educationThey are getting a great education They are self-obsessed and decadentThey are self-obsessed and decadent

““Today’s youth are disrespectful and Today’s youth are disrespectful and undisciplined” undisciplined”

Plato – ca. 400 B.C.Plato – ca. 400 B.C.

How do you Teach,Train and How do you Teach,Train and Engage Generation Y?Engage Generation Y?

Respect themRespect them Effective orientation to new environmentsEffective orientation to new environments Be honest about the work and teaching Be honest about the work and teaching

environments – the good and the bad!environments – the good and the bad! Tell them your expectations and goalsTell them your expectations and goals Ask them for their expectations and goalsAsk them for their expectations and goals

Then… together define a strategy to meet themThen… together define a strategy to meet them

Note: Gender roles of previous generations Note: Gender roles of previous generations do not apply to generation Ydo not apply to generation Y

What Does this all Mean?What Does this all Mean?

Successive generations are hard Successive generations are hard working and willing to make working and willing to make sacrifices, but have their own values sacrifices, but have their own values that need to be respected.that need to be respected.

The kids are OK … really! Give The kids are OK … really! Give them the tools to get the job done, them the tools to get the job done, and they will succeed.and they will succeed.

What Does this all Mean?What Does this all Mean?

Working in 2006 is all about teams - Working in 2006 is all about teams - leadership is OK, but is referent leadership is OK, but is referent

(i.e. directed to the appropriate person or (i.e. directed to the appropriate person or people for each individual situation)people for each individual situation)

Forget hierarchical, authoritarian Forget hierarchical, authoritarian management management

– – the days of “the days of “II tell.. tell.. youyou do” are gone. do” are gone.

““I’m aghast at [Tony Abbott’s] ignorance and I’m aghast at [Tony Abbott’s] ignorance and outdated ideas… wake up, we are in a new outdated ideas… wake up, we are in a new millennium now.” Dr Heather McNamee, part-millennium now.” Dr Heather McNamee, part-time GP. (AusDoc 22 June 2005)time GP. (AusDoc 22 June 2005)

““I recall how outrageous it seemed at the time I recall how outrageous it seemed at the time when a GP recruited to a remote community when a GP recruited to a remote community in the mid-1990s refused to do on-call work. in the mid-1990s refused to do on-call work. But she stayed longer in a tougher But she stayed longer in a tougher environment than most. No on-call work is environment than most. No on-call work is now normal practice for solo GPs in remote now normal practice for solo GPs in remote communities and a very sensible decision in communities and a very sensible decision in retrospect.” Dr Sam Heard (baby boomer),retrospect.” Dr Sam Heard (baby boomer),(AusDoc 10 May 2006).(AusDoc 10 May 2006).

Finally ….Finally ….

Don’t get bogged down in the stereotypes and Don’t get bogged down in the stereotypes and media hype – they probably say more about us media hype – they probably say more about us (our own insecurity and lack of personal (our own insecurity and lack of personal growth) than they say about the generations growth) than they say about the generations following us.following us.

““In a life crowded with the legitimate needs of In a life crowded with the legitimate needs of other people, time for yourself can seem the other people, time for yourself can seem the most elusive gift possible. But it may also be most elusive gift possible. But it may also be the most essential” the most essential” Stephanie Dowrick – Stephanie Dowrick – Choosing HappinessChoosing Happiness

… and remember, the need to have fun and to keep the balance in your life is universal across all generations.