Hometown Citizens - Homeland Heroes Generational Differences Generation X and Generation Y: Similarities and Differences Dr. Don Jenrette Air Force Reserve

Hometown Citizens - Homeland Heroes

Generational Generational DifferencesDifferencesGeneration X and Generation X and

Generation Y:Generation Y:

Similarities and DifferencesSimilarities and Differences

Dr. Don JenretteDr. Don Jenrette

Air Force Reserve CommandAir Force Reserve Command


Generational DifferencesGenerational Differences

OverviewOverview Information RationaleInformation Rationale

Which Are You?Which Are You? Generation XGeneration X Generation YGeneration Y

Events and ExperiencesEvents and Experiences CharacteristicsCharacteristics


Reference MaterialReference Material Lancaster, C., Stillman, D. Lancaster, C., Stillman, D. When When

Generations Collide. Harper Collins.Generations Collide. Harper Collins. 2002. 2002. Karp, H., Fuller, C., and Sirias, D. Karp, H., Fuller, C., and Sirias, D. Bridging Bridging

the Boomer Xer Gap: Creating Authentic the Boomer Xer Gap: Creating Authentic Teams for High Performance at Work.Teams for High Performance at Work. Palo Palo Alto, CA. Davies-Black Publishing. 2002.Alto, CA. Davies-Black Publishing. 2002.

Zemke, R., Raines, C., and Flipczak, B. Zemke, R., Raines, C., and Flipczak, B. Generations at Work: Managing the clash Generations at Work: Managing the clash of Veterans, Boomers, Xers, and Nexters in of Veterans, Boomers, Xers, and Nexters in Your Workplace.Your Workplace. NY. AMACOM 2000. NY. AMACOM 2000.

Howe, N., and Strauss, W. Howe, N., and Strauss, W. Millenials Millenials Rising: The Next Great Generation.Rising: The Next Great Generation. Vintage. 2000.Vintage. 2000.


Generational DifferencesGenerational DifferencesInformation RationaleInformation Rationale

We are a product of our environment and life We are a product of our environment and life experiencesexperiences

When working with and coming in to daily contact When working with and coming in to daily contact with others from different generations, it’s with others from different generations, it’s

important to recognize and know generational important to recognize and know generational differences differences

Each generation has distinct attitudes, behaviors, Each generation has distinct attitudes, behaviors, expectations, habits and motivational buttonsexpectations, habits and motivational buttons



Which Are You?Which Are You?

Born 1965-1978 Generation X (32-45)Born 1965-1978 Generation X (32-45)

Born 1979-1993 Generation Y (17-31)Born 1979-1993 Generation Y (17-31)



Events and ExperiencesEvents and Experiences(Generation X)(Generation X)

Fall of Berlin WallFall of Berlin WallWatergateWatergate

Women’s LiberationWomen’s LiberationDesert StormDesert StormEnergy CrisisEnergy Crisis



Events and ExperiencesEvents and Experiences(Generation Y)(Generation Y)

School ShootingsSchool ShootingsOklahoma CityOklahoma City

TechnologyTechnologyChild Focused WorldChild Focused World

Clinton/LewinskyClinton/Lewinsky



CharacteristicsCharacteristics(Generation X)(Generation X)

Neglected by ParentsNeglected by ParentsLoyal to RelationshipsLoyal to Relationships

Serious about LifeSerious about LifeStressed OutStressed Out

SurvivorsSurvivors



CharacteristicsCharacteristics(Generation Y)(Generation Y)

Groomed to AchieveGroomed to AchieveLowest Parent-to Child Ratio in U.S. HistoryLowest Parent-to Child Ratio in U.S. History

More Law AbidingMore Law AbidingMore Socially ConsciousMore Socially Conscious

New ConfidenceNew Confidence



View of Media TechnologyView of Media Technology

Generation X Atari/Lap TopsGeneration X Atari/Lap Tops

Generation Y Internet/iPodGeneration Y Internet/iPod



View of TechnologyView of Technology

Generation X Enjoy ItGeneration X Enjoy It

Generation Y Employ ItGeneration Y Employ It



View of MusicView of Music

Generation X Alternative/Rap/MTVGeneration X Alternative/Rap/MTV

Generation Y Techno/Swing/Very Generation Y Techno/Swing/Very DiverseDiverse


Generational DifferencesGenerational DifferencesView of HeroesView of Heroes

Generation X Kurt Kobain/Michael Generation X Kurt Kobain/Michael JordanJordan

Generation Y Parents & Generation Y Parents & Grandparents/Grandparents/

NYPD/Bill GatesNYPD/Bill Gates


Generational DifferencesGenerational DifferencesMemoriesMemories

Generation X Snoop Generation X Snoop Dog/Beavis/REMDog/Beavis/REM

Generation Y Trench Coat Generation Y Trench Coat Mafia/Health/Mafia/Health/

Goo-Goo DollsGoo-Goo Dolls



TV ShowsTV Shows

Generation X 90210Generation X 90210

Generation Y Reality TV/Grey’s Generation Y Reality TV/Grey’s AnatomyAnatomy



View of FutureView of Future

Generation X Uncertain/HopelessGeneration X Uncertain/Hopeless

Generation Y Ambivalent/HopefulGeneration Y Ambivalent/Hopeful



Theme toward WorkTheme toward Work

Generation X UncertaintyGeneration X Uncertainty

Generation Y “What’s Next?”Generation Y “What’s Next?”

What would you do to motivate each?What would you do to motivate each?



Theme toward ResponsibilityTheme toward Responsibility

Generation X Personal FocusGeneration X Personal Focus

Generation Y On My TermsGeneration Y On My Terms

How would you best approach each toward How would you best approach each toward getting the mission accomplished?getting the mission accomplished?



Theme toward WorkplaceTheme toward Workplace

Generation X Live for TodayGeneration X Live for Today

Generation Y Just Show UpGeneration Y Just Show Up

What kind of environment would you foster What kind of environment would you foster for each?for each?



Theme toward MoneyTheme toward Money

Generation X Save, Save, SaveGeneration X Save, Save, Save

Generation Y Earn to SpendGeneration Y Earn to Spend

What reward(s) would you consider for What reward(s) would you consider for each?each?



Theme toward Work OutputTheme toward Work Output

Generation X Eliminate the TaskGeneration X Eliminate the Task

Generation Y Do Exactly What’s Generation Y Do Exactly What’s AskedAsked

How would you approach each?How would you approach each?



Theme toward Core ValuesTheme toward Core Values

Generation X Generation X Skepticism/InformalitySkepticism/Informality

Generation Y Realism/ConfidenceGeneration Y Realism/Confidence

How would you gain the trust of How would you gain the trust of each?each?



Theme toward FamilyTheme toward Family

Generation X Latch-key KidsGeneration X Latch-key Kids

Generation Y Merged FamiliesGeneration Y Merged Families

How would you best include their How would you best include their family?family?



Theme toward EducationTheme toward Education

Generation X A Way to Get ThereGeneration X A Way to Get There

Generation Y An Incredible ExpenseGeneration Y An Incredible Expense

How would you introduce the role of How would you introduce the role of educational pursuits in the workplace for educational pursuits in the workplace for each?each?


Generational DifferencesGenerational DifferencesTheme toward MediaTheme toward Media

Generation X Cell PhonesGeneration X Cell Phones

Generation Y Internet/Picture Generation Y Internet/Picture PhonesPhones

How would you approach each on use of How would you approach each on use of media in the workplace?media in the workplace?



Theme toward Personal CommunicationsTheme toward Personal Communications

Generation X Call Me Only at Generation X Call Me Only at WorkWork

Generation Y E-Mail Me/Text MeGeneration Y E-Mail Me/Text Me

How would you approach for each on use of How would you approach for each on use of personal communications at work?personal communications at work?



Theme toward Leadership StyleTheme toward Leadership Style

Generation X Ask Why/Challenge Generation X Ask Why/Challenge OthersOthers

Generation Y To Be DeterminedGeneration Y To Be Determined

What leadership approach would you use?What leadership approach would you use?



Theme toward Interactive StyleTheme toward Interactive Style

Generation X EntrepreneurGeneration X Entrepreneur

Generation Y ParticipativeGeneration Y Participative

How would you best interact in the How would you best interact in the workplace?workplace?



Theme toward Feedback/RewardsTheme toward Feedback/Rewards

Generation X Freedom is Best Generation X Freedom is Best RewardReward

Generation Y Meaningful WorkGeneration Y Meaningful Work

What would you do regarding this area?What would you do regarding this area?



Theme toward Messages that MotivateTheme toward Messages that Motivate

Generation X Do It Your Way/Forget Generation X Do It Your Way/Forget RulesRules

Generation Y You Will Work with OtherGeneration Y You Will Work with Other

Bright, Creative PeopleBright, Creative People

In what ways would you motivate each?In what ways would you motivate each?



Theme toward Work and Family LifeTheme toward Work and Family Life

Generation X BalanceGeneration X Balance

Generation Y BalanceGeneration Y Balance

What does this tell you?What does this tell you?



Questions?Questions?



OverviewOverview Information RationaleInformation Rationale

Which Are You?Which Are You? Generation XGeneration X Generation YGeneration Y

Events and ExperiencesEvents and Experiences CharacteristicsCharacteristics


Generational Generational DifferencesDifferencesGeneration X and Generation X and

Generation Y:Generation Y:

Similarities and DifferencesSimilarities and Differences

Dr. Don JenretteDr. Don Jenrette

Air Force Reserve CommandAir Force Reserve Command

Documents

Hometown Citizens - Homeland Heroes Generational Differences Generation X and Generation Y: Similarities and Differences Dr. Don Jenrette Air Force Reserve