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Leadership in the Four Generation Workplace

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What are some of the traits of each generation?

Considering the limitations of space, we can only present a small sampling of the many observable traits and patterns we see in the generations. Many resources exist for those who would like to delve deeper and/or find more examples.

The Silent Generation (Traditionalists)
 Employees recognize the role of authority in a hierarchical organization.
 Experienced smooth career passages.
 Adopted a “just stick it out” attitude in their jobs (as well as in their marriages).
 Expected traditional retirement at 65 —but now may never want to retire.
 Tom Brokaw calls them The Greatest Generation.

Baby Boomers
 Boomers were beat up by downsizings and rightsizings and have always competed fiercely among themselves.
 May have had several careers, employers or types of jobs
 Tend to be workaholics and define themselves through work.  May have guilt over putting career before family.
 Tend to be self-centered and self-absorbed. They personify the “me generation.”

Gen Xers
 Saw the layoffs of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s and distrust big institutions.
 Assume that every job is temporary.
 Parents suffered fatigue, illness and divorce—want a better balance.
 Avoid long hours and keep their work and personal lives separate.
 Viewed as being less driven in their work habits and less loyal than Boomers
 Skeptical, self-focused and self-protective at work.
 Xers seek excitement and want to have fun at work.
 Want  relaxed rules and a casual dress codes. Prefer e-mail to long meetings.
 Will confront or publicly disagree with an authoritative manager.

Millennials
 Watched Gen Xers rise and fall before and after 2000 (dot-com bubble-burst)
 Want job security
 Large in numbers; may need to compete for jobs..
 Grew up with protective parents and might fear workplace conflict.
 Great at multitasking; can work effectively on numerous activities at once.
 Get along with their parents; may live at home for longer.
 Thrive in a fast-paced technological world.

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