1. Geri & Rebecca boyer Kaskaskia Engineering group, LLC
Leading a Multi-Generational Workforce: Understanding Generational Differences
Geri & Rebecca boyer
Kaskaskia Engineering group, LLC

2. Outline
Introduction
Disclaimer
Plan

3. Generational Overview
Silents
Baby Boomers
Generation X
Millennials
Birth Years
Current Age
70+
51-69
35-50
15-34
% of Current Workforce
 2%
29%
34%
35%
Also Known As
Veterans, Traditionalists, Radio Babies, The Forgotten Generation
“Me” Generation, Moral Authority
Xers, The Doer, Post Boomers, America’s Neglected Middle Child
Gen Y, Generation Next, Echo Boomers, Chief Friendship Officers, 24/7’s

4. Historical Context Silents Baby Boomers Generation X Millennials
Millennials
World War II
Great Depression
New Deal
Rise of Corporations
Experienced hard times while growing up which were followed by times of prosperity
Civil Rights & Feminist Cause
Cold War/Russia
Construction of the highway system
Highest divorce rate and 2nd marriages in history
Post War Babies who grew up to be radicals of the 70’s and yuppies of the 80’s
“The American Dream” was promised to them as children and they pursue it
Watergate
Energy Crisis
Raised by dual income families and single parents
First generation of latchkey kids
Downsizing
Grew up having to take care of themselves early
Came of age when US was losing its status as the most powerful nation in the world
The first generation that will NOT do as well financially as their parents
Helicopter parents
Digital Media
Child-focused world
First generation of children with schedules
School shootings & terrorist attacks
Hope to be the next great generation & to turn around all the “wrong” they see in the world
More sheltered than any other generation
Came of age in a period of economic expansion

5. Generational Persona Silents Dedicated, steadfast employees
Fiscally prudent
Linear work style
Loyal to organization/employers (duty, honor, country)
Organized
Respectful of Authority
Rule Followers
Sacrifice
Strong work ethic
Task oriented
Trusted hierarchy and authority

6. Generational Persona Baby Boomers Live to work Consumerism
Multi-taskers
Loyal to careers and employers
Good communication skills
Anti-establishment
Consensus leadership
Believe in teamwork and cooperation
Find worth in their work ethic
Optimistic
Political correctness

7. Generational Persona Generation X Work to live
Angry but don’t know why
Results driven
Loyal to Manager
Crave independence
Unimpressed with authority
Distrust large organizations
Pragmatic
Self-starters
Skeptical of institutions
Willing to put in the extra time to get a job done
Adaptable
Built “portable” resume

8. Generational Persona Millennials
Work to fill the time between the weekends
Eager to spend money
High-speed stimulus junkies
Loyal to peers
Fiercely independent but need supervision
Respect given for competency not title/seniority
Challenge everything as a standard way of approaching a situation
Value diversity and change
Tech Savvy
Entitled

9. Discussion – Work Ethic
What are ways to foster tolerance between these generational work styles?
How do you quantify the contribution of each generation?
Maximum Effort
(Silents)
Workaholic
(Baby Boomers)
Work/Life Balance
(Gen X)
Work/Life Blend
(Millenials)

10. Discussion – Work Asset
What type of benefits are needed to retain employees across the generations?
What are the challenges of attracting new hires across the generations?
Loyal
Cooperative
Self-Reliant
Entitled

11. Discussion - Communication
What changes have you made in your company to accommodate multi-generational communication styles?
What counter-measure have you put in place to maintain professional communication?
Discrete
Like hand written notes
Diplomatic
In person
Blunt/Direct
Use
Polite
All Electronic communication

12. Discussion – Feedback and Rewards
How is feedback and rewards given in your firm? Is it satisfying for everyone?
Private recognition
Feel rewarded by money
Want to be rewarded with time off
Like to be given feedback often and will ask for it

13. What other aspects of running an intergenerational office do you struggle with and how can it be accommodated?
Silents
Baby Boomers
Generation X
Millennials
Dedicated, steadfast employees
Fiscally prudent
Linear work style
Loyal to organization/employers (duty, honor, country)
Organized
Respectful of Authority
Rule Followers
Sacrifice
Strong work ethic
Task oriented
Trust hierarchy and authority
Live to work
Consumerism
Multi-taskers
Loyal to careers and employers
Good communication skills
Anti-establishment
Consensus leadership
Believe in teamwork and cooperation
Find worth in their work ethic
Optimistic
Political correctness
Work to live
Angry but don’t know why
Results driven
Loyal to Manager
Crave independence
Unimpressed with authority
Distrust large organizations
Pragmatic
Self-starters
Skeptical of institutions
Willing to put in the extra time to get a job done
Adaptable
Built “portable” resume
Work to fill the time between the weekends
Eager to spend money
High-speed stimulus junkies
Loyal to peers
Fiercely independent but need supervision
Respect given for competency not title/seniority
Challenge everything as a standard way of approaching a situation
Value diversity and change
Tech Savvy
Entitled