Bridging Generational Gaps: Working as One · 2019-08-14 · Bridging Generational Gaps: Working as...

Bridging Generational Gaps: Working as OneTASSCCPresented By Amelie KaramAugust 13, 2019

*Pew Research 2018

Millennial GenerationBorn: 1981-1996Age in 2019: 23-38

Generation XBorn: 1965-1980Age in 2019: 39-54

Baby BoomersBorn: 1946-1964Age in 2019: 55-73

Silent GenerationBorn: 1928-1945Age in 2019: 74-91

Greatest GenerationBorn before 1928Age in 2019: 92+

The Generations Defined

Generation ZBorn: 1997 and laterAge in 2019: up to 22

*Pew Research

Generational understanding

Generation Z

Generation Z

Simone Biles

Technology as a norm

The Great Recession

Orlando Shooting

Parkland Shooting

Generation Z’s Strengths

u Tech savvyu Connectedu Thrifty

*Center of Generational Kinetics

Generation Z’s Weaknesses

u Communicates almost entirely on screensu Less idealistic u Less guarded with privacy

*Center of Generational Kinetics

Millennials

Millennial Generation

September 11, 2001

Cell Phones

Social Media

War on Terrorism

Taylor Swift

Columbine

Millennials’ Strengths

u Tech Dependentu Social Media Machinesu Enthusiastic u Inclusive u Self-Sufficient

Millennials’ Weaknesses

u Entitledu No Sense of Commitmentu Not Hard Workersu Know-It-All Attitude

Generation X

Generation X

Berlin Wall

Iranian Hostage Crisis

AIDS epidemic

High Divorce Rates

Watergate

Matt Damon

Generation X’s Strengths

u Effective Managersu High Revenue Generatorsu Adaptableu Problem Solversu Collaborators

Generation X’s Weaknesses

u Lack Executive Presenceu Not Cost Effectiveu Overlook Big-Pictureu Don’t Always Speak Their Mind

Baby Boomers

Baby Boomers

JFK assassination

Man on the Moon

Vietnam War

Martin Luther King assassination

Woodstock

Al Roker

Baby Boomers’ Strengths

u Productiveu Hardworkingu Team Playersu Mentors

Baby Boomers’ Weaknesses

u Not Open to Collaborationu Less Inclined to Accept Changeu Not Tech Savvy

Silent and Greatest Generation

Silent Generation and Greatest Generation

Great Depression

World War II

Betty White

Morgan Freeman

The Dust Bowl

Silent Generation’s Strengths

u Hardworkingu Willpoweru Loyal employeesu Respect authorityu Thrifty

Silent Generation’s Weaknesses

u Traditional u Less inclined to accept changeu Tech challenged

Changes

Average student loan debt for physician is $207,000.*AAMC

Statistical Differences

Only 27% of Millennials are married; whereas 65% of Baby Boomers were married at the same ages.*Gallup 2018

Gen Z is the already the most racially and ethnically diverse generation, as only 52% are non-Hispanic whites.*Pew Research 2018

The U.S. divorce rate has dropped 18% from 2008 to 2016. *University of Maryland

Average student loan debt for Millennial undergraduate is $39,400.*StudentLoanHero 2018

Four-in-ten Millennial workers ages 25 to 29 had at least a bachelor’s degree in 2016.*Pew Research 2017

Being connected

#MillennialsAreConnected

u Millennials share their opinions on social media.

u Be aware of their online presence. u Use their connectivity for your

benefit.

How to address cell phone use:

u Know the cell phone policy.u Use phone during cell phone “friendly” times.u Have a “no cell phone” conference room policy.

“

”

There should be no cell phones in conference rooms. None, zero. When sitting and waiting for a meeting to start, instead of using your phone with your head down, everyone should be focused on building relationships.

*Simon Sinek 2016

Experiences are influential.

#PrayforParkland #NeverForget911#PrayForBatonRouge

#PrayForDallas

#PrayForBoston#PrayForNice

#PrayForOrlando#PrayForSanBernardino

#PrayForParis#WhereIWas

These events have impacted all generation’sdesire for a strong work-life balance.

“

”

Fifty-one percent of Millennials are concerned about burnout.

*Witt/Kieffer

Work-Life Balance Ideas:

u Flexibility with family related eventsu Option to work from homeu Flexibility with shift changes

Everyone has a story.

Create an environment that celebrates the story.

Build a multi-generational culture.

What Every Generation Wants:

u Flexible hoursu Meaningful worku Relaxed and efficient workplaceu Good benefits and perks

“

”

Happiness led to a 12% spike in productivity, while unhappy workers proved 10% less productive.

*University of Warwick 2015

The more satisfied your employees are in their work, the more satisfied your customers will be.

*Witt/Kieffer

Create a culture that is:

u Well-definedu What words will guests use to describe your organization?

u Properly executedu Are employees successfully living out culture at work?

u Makes an impactu How is the culture helping the community?

u Gives work meaning and purposeu Do employees know their role in making the culture thrive?

Employee loyalty

“

”We give people license to be themselves.

-Herb Kelleher

Co-founder of Southwest Airlines

Building employee loyalty

*NRC Health

u Create a strong culture u Build relationships u Allow employees freedom to be unique in their job u Affirm fellow employeesu Collaborate when decision making

Affirmation is important

“

”

Ninety-nine percent of Millennials surveyed said affirmation was important.

*Amelie Karam: Millennial Survey 2016

Millennials like to receive affirmation from their coworkers or direct boss.

*Amelie Karam: Millennial Survey 2016

How do Millennials like to receive affirmation?

A. Verbally in privateB. Verbally in publicC. Sent in an emailD. Handwritten in a note

*Amelie Karam: Millennial Survey 2016

Collaborating with Multi-Generations

“

”

One-hundred percent of Millennials surveyed wanted to be heard and asked for input at work.

*Amelie Karam: Millennial Survey 2015

Ways to involve every generation:

u Collaborate when decision makingu Offer a Mentoring / Reverse-Mentoring programu Have a representative from every generation on the Boardu Construct a multi-generational strategic planning committee

Generational Changes

*Pew Research 2018

52%

61%

70%

82%

25%

18%

12%

4%

14%

15%

15%

13%

6%

4%

0

1%

4%

1%

3%

1%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%

Gen Z in 2018

Millennials in 2002

Gen X in 1986

Baby Boomers in 1968

THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC MAKEUP OF AMERICA’S GENERATION

PERCENTAGE OF 6 TO 21-YEAR-OLDS

White Hispanic Black Asian Other

Millennials vary by culture.

*Harvard Business Review Study 2015

Guiding principles for adapting to different cultures:

u Acknowledge that differences exist.

u Seek to understand, rather than criticize or defend your way of doing tasks.

u Be gracious; accept that you may not understand another’s viewpoint.

u Withhold judgment.

u Seek to communicate through their worldview lens.

u Don’t assume that a lack of knowledge is the same as stupidity.

*15five

One Unified organization

Use Gen Z’s connectivity to access a broader audience.

Use Millennials’ inclusiveness to create more diverse perspective.

Use Gen X’s adaptability to discover new ways to do things.

Use Baby Boomer’s experience to help mentor the younger employees.

Takeaways

Takeaway #1

To attract and retain top talent you must be open to

change.

Takeaway #2

Build a community within the workplace that is

supported by individual relationships.

Takeaway #3

Be aware of the generational and cultural needs in the

workplace to help employees feel satisfied with their job.

Takeaway #4

To encourage employee loyalty, allow employees to

be themselves in their roles.

Takeaway #5

All generations in the workplace have more similarities

than they do differences.

It’s nine o’clock on a MondayThe regular crowd shuffles in.There’s a Boomer sitting next to meWriting notes with his paper and pen

He says, “Amelie, this place is killing me.I’ll tell you how this job goes:I worked hard, I worked nights, I worked holidays,When I wore a younger man’s clothes.”

Sing us a song Gen SpecialistSing us a song todayWe all have to work togetherBut have yet to find a good way

Now Zach at the front’s a Millennial He thinks our lunch should be free. A vegan, his food must be locally-sourcedAnd there’s someplace that he’d rather be.

Larry, the Boomer managerThe flip-phone carrying typeHe’s talking with Jamie, the MTV babyWho sighs when Millennials gripe.

And the breakroom it sounds like a funeral homeAnd the microwave reeks Lean Cuisine And they sit at the table and ask if I’m ableCause “this ain’t the job of our dreams.”

Sing us a song Gen SpecialistSing us a song todayWe all have to work togetherAnd we hope you will show us a way.

ameliekaram.com 903.293.8107 ameliekaram@gmail.com

Amelie Karam Speaking and Consulting