Working Across generations One Step At A Time

WHO ARE WE IN THE WORKPLACE? Our history, and the influencers during our maturation plays a role in how we interact with each other in the workplace. Today we have four generations that have to learn to work together. Plus Generation Z’rs are on their way. Traditionlists (Born between 1925 and 1946) Baby Boomers (Born between 1946 and 1964) Generation Xers (Born between 1965 and 1980) Generation Ys or Millennials (born after 1980) Generation Z (Born after 1995)

TRADITIONALISTS Considered among the most loyal workers. (Born between 1925 and 1946) Considered among the most loyal workers. Highly dedicated and the most risk averse. Their values were shaped by the Great Depression, World War II, and the postwar boom years. MAIN FORM OF COMMUNICATION = Writing a letter or note or face to face Attitude Toward Career = Jobs are for life Aspiration= Homeownership

BABY BOOMERS (Born between 1925 and 1946) Boomers are the first generation to actively declare a higher priority for work over personal life. They generally distrust authority and large systems. Their values were shaped primarily by a rise in civil rights activism, Viet Nam, and inflation. MAIN FORM OF COMMUNICATION = Telephone Attitude Toward Career = Careers are defined by employers Aspiration= Job Security

GENERATION X (Born between 1965 and 1980) Generation Xers naturally question authority figures and are responsible for creating the work/life balance concept. Born in a time of declining population growth, this generation of workers possesses strong technical skills and is more independent than the prior generations. MAIN FORM OF COMMUNICATION = Email and Text Message Attitude Toward Career = Loyal to profession not employer Aspiration = Work-Life Balance

GENERATION Y or Millennials (born after 1980) This group is the first global-centric generation, having come of age during the rapid growth of the Internet and an increase in global terrorism. They are among the most resilient in navigating change while deepening their appreciation for diversity and inclusion. MAIN FORM OF COMMUNICATION = Text Message and Social Media Attitude Toward Career = Work with not for organizations Aspiration = Freedom and Flexibility

GENERATION Z (Born after 1995) Part-time and interns (Waiting for them to fully enter into the workforce) Dependent on technology and limited grasp of alternatives MAIN FORM OF COMMUNICATION = Interactive, Real Time, Limited Network Attitude Toward Career = Will move between types of organizations and businesses Aspiration = Security and Stability

HOW DO WOMEN TREAT WOMEN? A Wall Street Journal Study showed: Only 53% of younger employees say they learn from older employees Only 23% of employees under age 34 say they receive new ideas from older employees GENDER IS INFLUENCED BY THE GENERATION GAP 70% of women say they were treated better by a male boss Women over 50 said they prefer to mentor women in their 20s versus women in their 30s or 40s Older women are more competitive for jobs (Tripping the Prom Queen – Prof. Barash) and younger women often feel entitled to mentorship by other women (Will You Be My Mentor? – Sheryl Sandberg)

What comes to mind when you see the people in the pictures? Implicit Bias What comes to mind when you see the people in the pictures?

CLAP or PAT

SMART OR NICE CLAP = BAD PAT = GOOD

SAFE OR SLOW CLAP = NICE PAT = SAFE

LAZY OR ARROGANT CLAP = LAZY PAT = LIAR

We have to learn to work together By the year 2022: Baby Boomers will make up 25.6% of the workforce Millennials will make up 46% of the workforce

CREATE DIVERSE TEAMS (Flat instead of top down) Step by Step Guide CREATE DIVERSE TEAMS (Flat instead of top down)

UNDERSTAND INDIVIDUAL MOTIVATORS Step by Step Guide UNDERSTAND INDIVIDUAL MOTIVATORS

Step by Step Guide STAGE GATHERINGS (GRABBING COFFEE VS. CONNECTING ONLINE)

CREATE NEW LEARNING WORKSHOPS Step by Step Guide CREATE NEW LEARNING WORKSHOPS (Where everyone can be vulnerable and no one is the expert)

ENCOURAGE CONSTANT FEEDBACK Step by Step Guide ENCOURAGE CONSTANT FEEDBACK (In different forms. An in person meeting may not always be needed)

Step by Step Guide REVERSE MENTORING (Millennials = Social Media? Baby Boomers = Soft Skills? )

RECOGNIZE DIFFERENCES IN HOW WE RESPOND TO CONFLICT Step by Step Guide RECOGNIZE DIFFERENCES IN HOW WE RESPOND TO CONFLICT BABY BOOMERS = TEAM CONSENSUS GEN X = RESOLVE IMMEDIATELY AND DIRECTLY MILLENIALS = CONFLICT MANAGEMENT TAUGHT IN SCHOOL

Step by Step Guide EMPOWER SUCCESS LEVERAGE STRENGTHES GIVE FEEDBACK GIVE RECIGNITION

COMMUNICATION TOOL BOX Step by Step Guide COMMUNICATION TOOL BOX ESTABLISH SEVERAL OPTIONS FOR FREE AND QUICK COMMUNICATION (Email is Evil) WHAT KEEPS EMPLOYEES (Lucky to have a job versus Job is lucky to have me) GIVE RECOGNITION AND GIVE RESPECT (Go out of your way to give recognition and show respect for each other’s work)

Let’s connect Facebook: Letitia Clark Twitter: LetitiaCClark LinkedIn: Letitia Clark Instagram: LetitiaCClark 714.438.4605 lclark35@cccd.edu