1. IN A FOUR-GENERATION WORKPLACE
Creating Synergy
IN A FOUR-GENERATION WORKPLACE
Doug Johnson
BUSN Competitive Advantage Through Human Resource Development Final

2. Four Generations
Traditionalists
Baby Boomers
Generation X
Millennials
All in the same work environment!

3. Can’t we all just get along
With four generations in the workplace companies will need to understand how each one communicates, responds and produces in order to function well.
Approach: “Not wrong…just different” (Eggerich, 2004)
Case Study – Green Globe Project Team
New wing in the Children’s Museum
Ideas from each generation bring about perspective for the whole.

4. Descriptions are accurate
(Hamill, 2005)

5. Bridging the Gap at Work
“There is a serious new problem in the workplace, and it has nothing to do with downsizing, global competition, pointy-haired bosses, stress or greed. Instead, it is the problem of distinct generations — the Veterans, the Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y — working together and often colliding as their paths cross” (Hammill, 2005).
Imagine all four generations working together! It would be like what happens all over homes during the holidays when you bring great- grandparents, grandparents, parents, kids together. It’s not always without conflict
Now imagine a working environment every day. Each generations brings with them values, communication styles, and expectations.

6. Structuring Communication
Communicating cross-generationally will involve many different strategies to make sure everyone stays connecting to the information needed.
(Hammill, 2005)

7. Generation x My Prediction of the Green Globe Team:
Length of work shift and days worked per week
Flextime options
Job-share options
It will need to be balanced. GenX wants to have options. They are not living to work but working to live.

8. Generation X My Prediction of the Green Globe Team:
Frequency and form of team meetings
Preferred leadership style of team leader
Meaningful rewards and bonus structure
Their preference is to work independently and not be micromanaged by leadership. Meetings will need to be direct and often. Time off is the best reward.

9. Generation X My Prediction of the Green Globe Team:
Strategies used to motivate workers
Work/Life balance considerations
GenX is motivated by freedom. They don’t like to be constricted by rules. Balance in their work and everyday life is key. More so than any other generation.

10. Succession Planning for Gen-x
Competencies
Knowledge Management/transfer
Management mobility
Mentoring
Recruitment and selection
Employee retention
Retiree resources
Staff Development

13. References
BWI Operations Training. (2014, September 24). Generation Xer's; Generations Training [Video file]. Retrieved from
Colligan, K. (2013, October 28). Managing Generation Xers in the Multi-Generation Workplace. Retrieved from workplace-2/
Eggerichs, E. (2004). Love & respect: The love she most desires, the respect he desperately needs. Nashville, TN: Integrity Publishers.
Generational Differences Chart. (n.d.). Retrieved from
Hammill, G. (2005). Mixing and Managing Four Generations of Employees. Retrieved from
Hartley, D. (2014, July 11). What About Gen X? Empower the Ignored Generation in the Workplace. Retrieved from
Rizzo, R. (2009). Creating Synergy in a Four-Generation Workplace. Retrieved from 2c8b39fc3f41
Sladdick, K. (2012). Leading 4 Generations. Retrieved from content/.../Leading4Generations-preview.pdf
Wloczewski, C. (2014, April 14). Leadership in the Multi-Generational Workplace. Retrieved from