Also known as Gen X & Y, Millennials, Gamers, Echo Boomers, etc,...born after 1977. Raised on science fiction, interactive toys, video & online gaming, MMORPGs, The Internet and child-centric parenting.

DIGITAL NATIVESBaby Boomers, Cusp Boomers, and even a few Gen Xers,

etc...fall into this category. Born before 1977.Linear thinkers. Taught to “Sit down. Shut up, and listen.”

DIGITAL IMMIGRANTS

C R O S S - G E N E R A T I O N A L B E H A V I O R P A T T E R N S

Rules FirstObey the Boss - no matter what

Wait for authority figures to give answersRespecter of titles/management

Corporate hierarchy is important (obedience driven model)Usually need structure to feel productive

Obey decision making process (takes time)Do NOT listen to anyone younger than you/age = knowledge

To get ahead, you must EARN your wayJust get a J.O.B. - results matter

Work VERY hard in order to EARN the good life

Passion FirstTests Boundaries - discovery is important

Look to your peer group for answers/immediate feedbackRespecter contribution and skill sets

Hierarchy is a deterrent—too slow (collaboration is best)Need exciting work to feel accomplished

Decisions are to be made on the front lines/in the moment (speed)Answers to problems come from anyone regardless of age

Find something you are PASSIONATE aboutNew ideas matter more than results

Life, relationships and work must be in proper balance

Wants/Needs a ConductorBetter to wait for permission than make a mistake and get fired

Rules & structure are necessary for orderCareer paths determined by time/effort

Follow “Chain of Command” for decisions (slowly)Position & power MUST be earned

Age + Time + Position = Power/Corner OfficeGreat Ideas come from higher ups

Promotion determined by age + time, not abilitiesLeadership is stable, older and unapproachable

Decisions come from higherups (slow)

Jazz ImprovisationBetter to ask for forgiveness than wait for permissionMistakes are how we learn/rules limit creativityCareer path determined by keeping skills up-to-datePeer-to-peer driven/flattened hierarchy = speedPosition determined by contribution & skill setPosition/Leadership is ALWAYS rotatingInnovative ideas can come from anywhereTeams determine your positionLeadership is rotational—leaders are mentorsDecisions need to be made NOW (speeds up productivity)

Face-to-Face/MeetingsFormalized & Structured

Permission to speak reflective of positionMeetings are important to controlling output

Face-to-Face is importantLinear communication styles/lectures

Requires long periods of focused attentionQuestions are interruptions—direspectful

Formal paper trail/memosLots of typing

Technology/SpeedCasual & CollaborativeDoes NOT KNOW they need permission to speak upMeetings slow down productionFace time wastes time/IMing preferredCollaborative and iterative (always in flux)Short, intense bursts of intense focus/repeatQuestions show engagement/share ideasTexting = talking/Smartphone dependentVisually driven/gamification

BOOMERS vs. MILLENNIALS Can we get along?

Earn ItDon’t Screw Up! or your career is OVERAvoid Risk – mistakes get you fired! Wait and see, analyze, then take action (linear)Fear of “looking foolish”Beginning/middle/end = accomplishmentWork for years without recognitionAppreciation is for marriage, not business

Need for AppreciationBig Risk = Big RewardsEmbrace Risk – mistakes are how you learnIterative activity is the key to success (nonlinear)Risks are a part of the “game”Breakthroughs come from trying anything onceNeed consistent reasurrance/recognitionNeed to feel appreciated/will leave if underappreciated

Work HardKnowledge & Power needs to be concentratedExpertise is hard to get (diploma + experience)Knowledge hoarding is the key to successQuantitative – you can measure risk/rewardKnowledge gained, experience + time = expertLearning new things slows down at the topMore experience = more authorityThree page resumes

Create Your RealityKnowledge MUST be Distributed & SHARED with speedExpertise is easy to get (Khan Academy)Knowledge sharing is key to successQualitative – trusts intuition (gut feelings)I Googled it, researched it = expertOpen to a lifetime of learning new thingsConsistent upgrade of skills = genius statusWord of mouth gets the job

WHAT IS DRIVING EACH GENERATION?

PREFERRED COMMUNICATION STYLES

WORK ETHIC

FITTING INTO THE WORLD

A simple infographic to help you understand what drives Boomers,

Gen X, Gen Y and Millennials.

* Pssst: Millennials don’t call themselves Millennials;-)

Boomers created these categories.

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LIQUID LEADERSHIPDEVELOPING HIGH-PERFORMING 21ST CENTURY WORKFORCE CULTURES

W W W . L I Q U I D L E A D E R S H I P . C O M

WHAT ABOUT ORGANIZATIONAL HIERARCHY?

© 2015 Brad Szollose, All Rights Reserved. Source Material: Liquid Leadership: From Woodstock to Wikipedia by Brad Szollose. Logos and brand identities presented here are for educational purposes only,

and the property of their respective owners.

By 2020, millennials will form 50% of the global workforce.

* Millennials at Work: Reshaping The Workplace by Pricewaterhouse Coopers International Limited

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