1. Managing Up, Managing Down:
Working with Different Generations
Molly Foley, Next Generation Consulting
Monday, June 27, 2011

2. We’ll Talk About...
Generational Diplomats
Four Generations in the Workplace
Generational Collision Points
Four Themes that Lead to Harmony
DO’s & DONT’s in Inter-generational Teams
Monday, June 27, 2011

3. Introductions
My name is ___ and I’m generation __
Traditionalists, Boomers, Xers, Millennials
I work in a team with 1/2/3/4 generations
If you were describing your generation to
someone, what movie might you use as an
example OR what celebrity do you most identify
with your generation?:
____________________________
Monday, June 27, 2011

4. “Generational Diplomats”
Guiding Principles
Monday, June 27, 2011

5. Principle #1: Seek to put
others (generations) in an
advantageous, good position.
Becoming Generational
Diplomats
Monday, June 27, 2011

6. Principle #2: Think "Win-Win" how can all
(generations) achieve a positive outcome.
Becoming Generational
Diplomats
Monday, June 27, 2011

7. Becoming Generational
Diplomats
Principle #3: Base your actions on a "cause.”
Monday, June 27, 2011

8. Principle #4: Win over the local
population (other generations).
Becoming Generational
Diplomats
Monday, June 27, 2011

9. Principle #5:
Gain intelligence.
Monday, June 27, 2011

10. Meet the Four Generations at
Work
Monday, June 27, 2011

11. Silents, b. 1925-1942
Turned 68-85 years old in 2010
Sometimes called “Traditionalists”
Monday, June 27, 2011

12. “Hank”
Monday, June 27, 2011

13. Baby Boomers, b. 1943-1960
Turned 50-67 years old in 2010
Monday, June 27, 2011

14. “Deborah”
Monday, June 27, 2011

15. Generation X, b. 1961-1981
Turned 29-49 years old in 2010
Monday, June 27, 2011

16. “Mark”
Monday, June 27, 2011

17. Millennials, b. 1982-2001
Turned 9-28 years old in 2010
Sometimes called “Gen Y”
Monday, June 27, 2011

18. “Christina” & Friends
Monday, June 27, 2011

19. Generations side by side...
Monday, June 27, 2011

20. Millennials Gen X Baby Boomers Silents
Learning Style Interactive, team- Adaptable/flexible, Independent, Independent,
oriented, hands-on, independent experiential, hands-on experiential, hands-
multi-tasking on
Preferred Mode of Email, Texting Email Face-to-face Phone, face-to-face
Communication
Dress Casual Semi-Casual Formal Formal
Relationship to Embrace technology, Tech savvy, but not as Not as tech savvy Not tech savvy, though
Technology very tech savvy current as Millennials (except when job trying
requires it)
Process vs. Goal- Goal-oriented Mix of process and Process-oriented Mix of process and goal
oriented goal-oriented oriented
Work Experience Less experienced, but Mid-level experience, Very experienced, Very experienced, senior
eager to learn up-and-coming leaders senior staff staff, retired,
consult
Company Loyalty Less loyal/committed Depends on years w/ Very loyal to company; Company loyalty, an
to company; looking for company, experience “they bleed We obligation
other opportunities Energies”
Relationship to Question and break Follow the rules, but Rule followers; prefer Duty before fun, rule
Structure and Policies rules (e.g. isn’t there a question them; prefer structure followers
better way?); prefer mix of structure and
flexibility to structure flexibility
Life-Work Balance Work to live, want Like to keep work and Live to work, always Work to provide
more flexibility personal life separate “on”
Monday, June 27, 2011

21. Exercise:
A “defining moment” that
shaped me and my workplace
contributions.
Monday, June 27, 2011

22. What’s your generation’s
legacy?
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23. When generations collide
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24. Relationship to Technology
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25. Relationship to Time
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26. Relationship to Place
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27. Relationship between self and others
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28. Four Themes that set
the cultural tone and lead to
generational harmony (or not)...
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29. Respect
What does “respect” look like to…
Silents Boomers Gen X Millennials
“Hank” “Deborah” “Mark” “Christina”
Authority Achievement Recognition Inclusion
Monday, June 27, 2011

30. Technology and Information Sharing
What’s the preferred technology and way to
share information for…
Silents Boomers Gen X Millennials
“Hank” “Deborah” “Mark” “Christina”
TEXTing;
Phone; Email; Cell; Email;
Phones; More tech &
prefer one-on- Easy access,
one-on-one faster! (very
one streamlined.
tech savvy)
Monday, June 27, 2011

31. Work Ethic
What’s each generation’s general “work
ethic” characteristics…
Silents Boomers Gen X Millennials
“Hank” “Deborah” “Mark” “Christina”
Overachiever, Efficient, “smart” Goal-oriented;
Dependable,
workaholic; workaholic; more tolerant;
productive,
work to point balanced; multi-tasking;
consistent
of burnout self-reliant entrepreneurial
Monday, June 27, 2011

32. Loyalty
What does “loyalty” look like to…
Silents Boomers Gen X Millennials
“Hank” “Deborah” “Mark” “Christina”
Sacrifice, devoted Self-fulfillment,
Commitment to
Sacrifice, to company looking for
job/profession;
dedication to that’s loyal, need other
commitment to
organization something to opportunities
people
fight for
Monday, June 27, 2011

33. Best practices for working
in multi-generation teams:
4 Do’s and Don’t’s
Monday, June 27, 2011

34. Think beyond
the job
descriptions
Monday, June 27, 2011

35. People who work in
their strengths are ten
times more productive.
Each person’s greatest
area of growth is in
their greatest area of
strength.
Monday, June 27, 2011

36. Focus on the work.
(Don’t be a Michael.)
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37. Surprise them by noticing
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38. It’s the element of surprise, not the size of the
award, that really moves people.
- Dr. Hayagreeva Rao, Stanford
Monday, June 27, 2011

39. Stop using “we” and “they”
to describe generations
Monday, June 27, 2011

40. Final Thoughts
Q&A
Monday, June 27, 2011