Generational differences are perceived in the workplace, according to "Can You Trust Anyone Under Thirty?", a case study in Conrad and Poole's (2012) Strategic Organizational Communication (pp. 14-17). Levenson (2010) counters that perceived differences may not be actual differences, especially when stages of life cycles and environmental factors are considered.
FULL ENJOY Call girls in Paharganj Delhi | 8377087607
Generational Differences in the Workplace
1. CanYouTrust
Anyone Under 30?
Camille Colvin , Lacey
Holtzen, Michelle Karns, Cris Meria
Image retrieved from
http://www.mosatlanta.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/inspiregroup1.jpg
2. A generation is comprised of
people born during the same time
period who share social and
historical perspectives.
3. Preview of Points
Outline of Case Study
Workplace Challenges
Baby Boomers
Generation X
GenerationY
Theoretical Basis
An Economist’s Perspective
Takeaways
Points to Ponder
References
4. CanYouTrust Anyone Under 30?
According to Conrad & Poole (2012), generational differences are
an emerging workplace conflict.
Three generations dominate the workplace
Baby Boomers
Generation X (Gen X)
Millennials (also called GenY)
Divergent backgrounds exist (family, economics, technology)
Attitudes toward employment differ (expectations, styles of
communication, loyalties)
5. Workplace Challenges
To learn how generational differences may impact the
workplace, watch Associated Bank NA’s (2013) educational film for
businesses, Overcoming the Generational Divide. The film notes
perceived differences in the following areas:
Communication (written and verbal)
Conflict management
Satisfaction and morale
Performance and productivity
Professional etiquette and grooming
Hiring and retention
7. Baby Boomers’ Perspective
According to Hahn (2011), Baby Boomers share the following
background and characteristics:
Raised during a time of economic prosperity and optimism
Grew up with a clear division of gender roles and low divorce rate
Experienced theVietnam War, the Apollo 11 moon landing, and
the Civil Rights Movement
Prefer “face-time” at the office
Are comfortable working in hierarchical organizations
Demonstrate a strong sense of self, leadership, and
entrepreneurship
8. Baby Boomers’Values
Hahn (2011) notes that Baby Boomers share the following values:
High social involvement
Strong work ethic
Willing to work long hours
Exhibit loyalty and leadership in the workplace
Desire job security
Want to make a difference
9. Baby Boomers’ Expectations
Hahn (2011) indicates that Baby Boomers:
Expect hierarchical organization, pay dues and work way
up the ladder
Benefits including paid time off, sabbaticals, family
leave, investment planning
Hard work and sacrifice is directly related to success
Health and well-being
Loyalty to and from company
10. Baby Boomers’ Communication
Need for face-to-face meetings
Value of hierarchy, structure, tradition
Expect life to revolve around work
Like to work in a collaborative team environment
Prefer group decision-making
May feel insulted by constant feedback
12. Generation X’s Perspective
According to Hahn (2011), Gen X members share the following
background and characteristics:
Raised during a time of economic downsizing and uncertainty
Grew up as latch key kids with increasing divorce rates and
dynamic gender roles
Experienced downsizing economy, the ColdWar, theThree Mile
Island disaster, and President Nixon’s resignation
Accustomed to change and make good change agents since
they readily adapt to their environments
13. Generation X’sValues
Hahn (2011) indicates that Gen X members share values which
include:
Work life balance, including flexible work schedules
Technical acumen supported by continuous learning and skill
development
Independence and freedom, including the ability to rebel
Precedence given to accomplishments over an 8 hour work day
Caution and risk aversion
Loyalty to employer not perceived as a value
14. Generation X’s Expectations
Hahn (2011) reports that members of Gen X have workplace
expectations that include the following:
Each job will be just a step up the ladder, not an identity
Businesses and people will do what is best for themselves
Freedom will be given to self-direct
Feedback and recognition will be provided
Untrustworthy employers and peers will create an environment
that lacks job security
15. Generation X’s Communication
According to Hahn (2011), Gen X members have the following
communication preferences and perceptions:
Like to receive feedback
Need to question authority
Think that everything is negotiable
Display a low desire for social involvement
17. Millennial Perspective
According to Hahn (2011), Millennials share the following
background and characteristics:
Raised in a self-centric environment with disposable income and
security
Experienced the Oklahoma Bombing, 9/11, and the
proliferation of technology
Had older parents with a high divorce rate
Known as multi-taskers with a strong focus on technology &
education
18. MillennialValues
According to Hahn (2011), Millennials share values that include:
Strong social involvement with an emphasis on social
networking
Personal growth
Devotion to the greater good
Work life balance
Informal organizational structures and dress codes
Loyalty to themselves and to community
19. According to Hahn (2011) Millennials have the following
expectations:
Career should be purposeful, fulfilling, and balanced with
personal life
Jobs and careers will change many times
The ability to make changes in organizations and immediately
work on top projects with top officials should be an entitlement
Wellness benefits, including a flexible work
schedule, telecommuting, and work-share options should be
standard
Millennial Expectations
20. Hahn (2011) indicates that Millennials:
Prefer collaboration over hierarchy
Seek positive reinforcement
Integrate technology into workplace communication and rely
on it for social connectivity
Expect to share their ideas, be given important projects, and
have high visibility
Millennial Communication
21. Theoretical Basis
Communication as Relationality
Celeste M. Condit
Image courtesy of
http://newsolio.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Basic-theory-what-is-interpersonal-
communication-skill.jpg
22. Communication as Relationality
According to Condit (2006):
People communicate to maintain relationships
Communication changes those relating to each other
Communication is understood through the lens of personal
perspectives with a purpose related to a specific
Time
Place
Social or cultural context
23. Communication as Relationality
Condit (2006) notes:
Society isolates, aggregates, and labels groups like generations
for convenience
People identify more intensely with groups they are closer to
physically or socially
Similarity and difference both impact relationships
Communication apprehension may occur between groups due
to perceived differences in experience, power, or credibility
24. An Economist’s
Perspective
Millennials and the World of Work:
An Economist’s Perspective
Image retrieved from
http://hankjohnson.house.gov/sites/hankjohnson.house.gov/files/styles/section_front_
boilerplate/public/economy.jpg
25. An Economist’s Perspective
Levenson (2010) makes the following assertions regarding
generational differences in the workplace:
Perception of differences does not prove actual differences exist
“Each generation goes through a natural life cycle evolution in
their attitudes toward and decisions about work,” so stage of
life should be considered (p. 258)
No data exists to compare decisions of previous generations to
those of Millinnials during similar stages of the life cycle
26. An Economist’s Perspective
According to Levenson (2010), the following factors should be
considered:
Social norms change slowly, and are likely unrelated to the
emergence of a new generation
“Quite different stereotypes about the same generation at
different points in time were put forth as part of the
conventional wisdom,” so perceptions of Millennials are likely
to change (p. 260)
Economic and environmental factors contribute to Millennials’
attitudes and behavior and may impact how they are perceived
27. Takeaways
Key findings supported by
research
Image retrieved from:
http://blog.medbroadcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/19048164.jpg
28. Key Findings
Differences between generations are perceived in the workplace
Baby Boomers live to work, but Gen X and Millennials work
to live
Baby Boomers believe people should do what they are
told, but Gen X and Millennials expect to be listened to and
valued
Perceived differences may cause divisions
Baby Boomers feel respect must be earned
Both Gen X and Millennials feel they are entitled to respect
and the ability to question authority
29. Key Findings
Features believed to differ between generations include:
Influences
Environment
Motivations
Expectations
Communication styles
Backgrounds
Work habits
Use of technology
Note: For a humorous take on perceived generational differences in
the workplace, watch The O’Shea Report.
30. Key Findings
Employers can improve communication and work environments
by focusing on:
Ethics
Wellness benefits
Communication
Collaboration
Flexible structure
Succession planning
Perceived differences may not be actual differences
31. Points to Ponder
Please consider and respond to
the following questions.
Image of Rodin’s Thinking Man courtesy of
http://revaustinmiles.com/images/uploads/ThinkingMan.jpg
32. Points to Ponder
Based on the dates cited, which generation (Baby Boomer, Gen
X, or GenY) do you belong to?
Which values associated with your generation do you identify
with most closely? Which values do you identify with least?
What are two misconceptions you had or have about another
generation?
After learning more about this concept and watching the
videos, how can you change those misconceptions?
33. References
Conrad, C. & Poole, M.S. (2012). Strategic organizational communication in a global economy, 7th ed.
Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
Condit, C. (2006). Communication as relationality. In G. Shepherd, J. St. John, & T. Striphas
(Eds.), Communication as perspectives on theory (pp. 3-12). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Gibson, J., Greenwood, R., & Murphy, E. (2009). Generational differences in the workplace: Personal
values, behaviors, and popular beliefs. Journal of Diversity Management, 4(3).
Hahn, J. A. (2011). Managing multiple generations: Scenarios from the workplace. Nursing Forum 46(3), 119-
127.
Associated Bank, NA. (2013). Overcoming the generational divide. Retrieved from
http://knowledgecenter.associatedbank.com/Business-Insights/Resources/Video-Overcoming-the-
Generational-Divide
Levenson, A. R. (2010). Millennials and the world of work: An economist’s perspective. Journal of Business
and Psychology, 25, 257-264. doi: 10.1007/s10869-010-9170-9
The O’Shea Report (2011). The O’Shea Report: Generations at work. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2k3Mx07B9I