Navigating Generational Differences in the Professional Environment

Navigating Generational Differences in the

Professional Environment

Presented by:Matthew Hansen, Cynthia Voth and

Meghan GranitoMiller Nash Graham & Dunn LLP

Golden Rules

Golden Rules

Do unto others…

Golden Rules

Know your audience

The New Golden (or “Platinum”) Rule

+Treat others as they want to be treated

Multiple Generations at Work Traditionalists Boomers Gen X Gen Y/Millennials Coming Soon: Gen Z

Meet Bill

Traditionalists Born before 1946 Population: 55 million Currently 70+ years “Silent” generation Majority are retired Largest voting population

Meet Susan

Baby Boomers Born 1946 - 1964 Population: 76 million Currently 52 to 69 years old Largest generation in the workplace Coined the term “workaholic” Single largest economic group

Meet Matt

Gen X Born 1964 - 1980 Population: 50 million Currently 35 to 51 years old “Carpe diem” attitude High divorce rate Single-parent families

Meet…well, the millennials.

Gen Y/Millennials Born: 1980 – 1997 Population: 80 million Currently 18 to 35 years old “Entitlement” generation Technology-savvy More ethnically and racially diverse than older

generations

MeetAidan

Gen Z Born after 1997 Population: 23 million…and growing “Digital Natives” Born during major fertility boom in the US

Generations in the Workplace - 1995Silent

2%

Traditionalists18%

Boomers49%

Gen X31%

Silent Traditionalists Boomers Gen X

Generations in the Workplace - 2015Traditionalists

2%

Boomers29%

Gen X34%

Millennials34%

Traditionalists Boomers Gen X Millennials

Generations in the Workplace - 2025Boomers

8%

Gen X28%

Millennials33%

Gen Z31%

Boomers Gen X Millennials Gen Z

Generations in the Workplace

1995 2015 2025

Silent2%

Traditionalists18%

Boomers49%

Gen X31%

Traditionalists2%

Boomers

29%

Gen X34%

Millennials34%

Boomers8%

Gen X28%

Millennials33%

Gen Z31%

What Frames a Generation? Please share two to three things you remember

from your youth that had an influence on your generation?

Where Do Generational Personalities Come From? Peer Influences Parenting Politics Culture Media Education/Teachers

World events Religious figures War & Peace Family Technology Values

A Snapshot of DifferencesTraditionalists Boomers Gen X Millennials

Education is… A dream A birthright A way to get there

An incredible expense

Work EthicDedicated, pay your dues

Driven, workaholic

Balance, work smarter with greater output

Ambitious, done at 5:00, entrepreneurial

Technology Adapted Acquired Assimilated Integral

Preferred Work Environment

Conservative, hierarchal, top-down management

“Flat” hierarchy, democratic, warm and friendly

Functional, positive, efficient, fast-paced and flexible

Collaborative, creative, diverse, continuous feedback

Interactive Style

One-on-one Team player – lots of meetings

Entrepreneur, cut to the chase

Collaborative , lots of feedback

A Snapshot of DifferencesTraditionalists Boomers Gen X Millennials

Work Assets

Experience, dependable, hardworking, thorough

Team players, see the big picture, will go the extra mile, hard work

Adapts well to change, direct communicators, good task managers, tech savvy, want feedback

Collaborators, goal-oriented, highly educated, fast multitaskers, optimistic, tech savvy

Work Challenges

Don’t adapt well to change, hierarchical, avoid conflict, not good with ambiguity or grey areas

Dislike conflict and change, expect everyone to be a workaholic

Skeptical, dislike for authority, don’t like rigid work environments, impatient

Distaste for menial work, need structure, lack experience,

A Snapshot of DifferencesTraditionalists Boomers Gen X Millennials

Means of Communication

Rotary phonesOne-on-oneWrite a memo

Touch-tone phonesCall me anytime

Cell phonesCall me only at workEmail

EmailSmart phones, but…Text or IM me

Communication Discrete Diplomatic Blunt/Direct Polite

Messages that Motivate

Your experience is respected

You are valued and needed

Do it your way and forget the rules

You will work with bright and creative people

Work-Family Balance

Never the two shall meet, but now interested in creating balance in lives

A history of living to work, but now interested in flexibility

Balance is important,Work to live, not live to work

Balance is important,Lifestyle is more important than upward mobility

Examples in the ROW Profession In your small groups, share one example of a

generational challenge or success you’ve encountered in the ROW field

Win the Generation Game

Win the Generation Game Generational differences, while sometimes

challenging, are extremely valuable in the workplace• Tailor your message to be heard most effectively• Increase productivity with diverse skill sets• Technology• Tradition• Mentoring

For real success in the multigenerational workplace, understanding, flexibility and openness from every age group is critical

Thank You

Matthew [email protected] | 206.777.7502

Cynthia [email protected] | 206.777.7558

Meghan [email protected] | 206.777.7412

Sources Forbes

• Working with Five Generations in the Workplace Harvard Business Review

• Managing People from 5 Generations Wall Street Journal

• How to Manage Different Generations West Midland Family Center

• Generational Differences Chart

Sources Montana Office of Public Information

• Understanding Generational Differences American Management Association

• Leading Four Generations at Work Beacon Health Options