PURPLE YOUR PEOPLE: THE GENERATION GAME

SHARED FROM THE BOOK:

Purple Your People

Jane Sunley

20. THE GENERATION GAME:

WHY IT MATTERS

 

Everyone is different and there’s always exception to the rule.  Generation theory seeks to explain how individuals born within one generation (approximately a 20 year period) will have a different view of the world.  This is because each generation is shaped by different economic, environmental and social norms.

Baby boomers (born 1945-1961)

Generation X (born 1962-1981)

Generation Y (born 1982-2001)

Some useful summary of characteristics of baby boomers, generation X and generation Y:

Baby Boomers	Generation X	Generation Y
Live to work	Work to live	Work to fund life style
Long hours and dedication	Do the necessary and go home	WLB, bores easily
Motivated by prestige, perks, status	Motivated by change, freedom, respect and output	Motivated by making a difference
Knowledge = power	‘show me what you know’	Ask many questions
Compliance, parent-child relationship[ with employer	Adult-to-adult relationship	Confidence to have adult-to-adult relationship
Know they’ve done a good job	Like regular feedback	Like immediate feedback
Make own decision without consultation	Take direction and then get on with it	Need constant collaboration / direction
Like structure and hierarchy	Have disdain for authority and structure	Family values – require nurturing environment
Like control	Hate being micro-managed	Need help with problem-solving, like to share
Want to lead	Self-reliant, cynical	Don’t want to lead
Resist change	Relish change	Flexible
Value experience	Assert individuality	Experience irrelevant
Competitive and resilient	Want to fix boomers’ mistakes	Take on tough meaningful jobs
Parents said ‘you can do anything’	Parents said ‘stand on your own two feet’	Parents said ‘you’re wonderful and brilliant at everything
Keep opinion to themselves	Shared their opinion	Think you want to know their opinions

 

The three (3) things:

1.         Be aware of how each different generation thinks and feels

2.         Find the best way to communicate

3.         Celebrate difference, get excited by the possibilities and make it work for you and your people