Workplace Conflicts Across the Generations

The "New Frontier"

The biggest divide facing our society today is not a gender divide, a racial divide, an income or technology divide; it is a "generational divide."  In today's business environments, it's becoming imperative that we recognize the generational differences so that we can respect them, value them, and more importantly, capitalize on them. 

Businesses are now faced with a new challenge -- that of dealing with multi-generations (Baby Boomers, Gen X-ers, Millennials) under one roof.  I commonly hear comments from business managers who have aches and pains with "the younger generations" at work.  Ultimately, it's not going to get easier until we start to realize that each generation has strengths and "idiosyncrasies."

Generation Differences

In many cases, businesses have essentially three generations under one roof: 

• Baby Boomers (currently 46-66 years old)
• Gen X (currently 35-45 years old)
• Gen Y "Millennials" (currently 17-34 years old)

Let's take a closer look at each one of these Generations.

Attention Baby Boomers! 

You invented the concept of the 80-hour workweek.  You are ambitious, business-oriented, and YOU NEVER STOP!!!  

You value hard work, personal relationships, and the ability to communicate with others.  You were raised to speak respectfully to people, so therefore, your messages sometimes are suggestions, rather than out-in-out directives. 

You are exceptional at reading body language, and you tend to prefer face-to-face interactions over email, phone calls or (Heaven forbid) text messages.  You don't embrace techology, but prefer old-fashioned relationship building and networking.  You prefer to do business with people you know and trust.  You're most comfortable in meetings where you can get everyone on the same page at one time. 

You believe in company loyalty ("Job Hoppers" need not apply).  You respect authority, business formalities and following the chain-of-command.  You are at the top of the food chain, and you don't have plans to retire anytime soon.  You'd miss working too much!  You measure success by profitability, longevity, loyalty and stability.

You see business relationships laid out in an organizational chart.  If a problem develops, you expect that problems are taken to the supervisor above.   You respect systems, processes and traditions.  You have weathered many storms and have always come out on top. 


Gen-Xers, Listen Up!

You were the children of working Moms.  You were latch-key kids, with no one at home to help you with your homework or make sure you were fed.  You were the first generation to be put in daycare and after-school programs.  You are fiercely independent by nature.  You grew up fending for yourself many times, and you have grown strong in character and tenacity because of it.  You are cautious, pragmatic, and highly educated. 

You value being recognized for your performance but you wither on the vine if you're micro-managed or if you're excluded.  You prefer, instead, to have the type of boss who says, "Just keep me posted and let me know if I can help you."  You prefer working on individual projects, rather than as a team all the time.  You shine with your individualism, creativity, and ingenuity. 

You're self-reliant and ambitious.  Although you value working hard, you want quality of life as well! Your generation invented the concept of "Work-life balance."  Your optimal job would require you to work 40 hours/week and have time off every weekend to be with your friends and family.  You would trade out a high-wage (due to excessive hours) in turn for more flexibility in your schedule.  You value being able to get to your kids' soccer games.   

You value personal relationships when doing business (you're not half-bad at reading body language), but you're most comfortable with email and phone contact.  Your Baby Boomer bosses aren't retiring yet, so you're sort of stuck -- somewhat like Prince Charles, who wakes up each morning wondering, "How's Mom?"  You're entrepreneurial and because of your fierce independence, you are willing to start up your own business in order to grow.

Yo!  Millennials!

You are fantastic collaborators!  In school, you and your classmates pushed the desks together to problem-solve, so "teamwork" comes second-nature to you.  You love a challenge, and you're exceptional at working with other people to come up with creative solutions. 

You thrive on being involved and included in team decisions.  That's because you were part of the generation where you were made to believe that you were "the center of the universe!"  As a child, your opinion mattered; and you were involved in big family decisions.  You were part of the generation where "Every Kid Earned A Prize," just for participating and trying.  You value being recognized for your imagination, creativity, and contribution.

You love technology (you are savvy with the latest and greatest gadgets).   You're a generation of instant messaging, texting, chat-rooms, and Skype.  You take technology for granted...many of you don't even remember what life was like before ATM machines!  You love social media, and you probably have over 500 "friends" on your MySpace or FaceBook account.  You see work relationships as networks, rather than as organizational charts and business silos.

You CRAVE immediate results and immediate feedback!  You would wither on the vine if you don't get instant feedback.  You can't wait for a 12-month review to know where you stand!  You need to know, minute-by-minute, how you're doing against the goal. 

You prefer dialogue that's able to cut to the chase, and be concise and direct.  You prefer texting over talking with people.  You see meetings as a waste of time unless they are specific, objective-driven and concise.  You are "speed-oriented" and so communication has got to be fast and immediate.

You're a rolling-stone (that gathers no moss).  Since you never fell for the fallacy of "job security," you carve out your own job security by gaining as much experience as you can from a job.  You stagnate and lose interest if you're stuck in one job with no opportunity to expand your scope.  You will probably change jobs at least 9 to 10 times before you settle into a long-term career. 

Summary:

Each generation brings to business a special attribute and style.  The friction comes from a lack of understanding why we do what we do.  In a competitive business world such as ours, we cannot afford to be fighting amongst ourselves.  The competition is outside (rather than inside) your four-walls.  Tap into the very things that motivate each generation and capitalize on these attributes.  You'll find that each generation has a lot to offer if you just take the time to understand. 

Kathleen Lapekas - PHR
For Personal Attention to Personnel Matters...
Action HR Consulting
http://www.actionhrconsultant.com/