FROM SHAKIRA TO SINATRA

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FROM SHAKIRA TO SINATRA

• The Rhythm of Working Across Generations
• Margot Helphand

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OUR GOALS

• Understanding the similarities and differences of
  each generation and how they work together best
• Learning effective ways to collaborate across
  generations

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Why Do We Care?

• 4 Generations are working side by side
• People are at at the heart of what we do
• Different values, experiences, styles, and
  attitudes create
• - Misunderstandings
• - Frustrations
• Communities that understand these principles will
  have an edge that leverages its diversity

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A Challenge

• Please Write
• a One Sentence Definition of
• Generation.

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Definition

• A body of individuals born in approximately the
  same time period who generally share similar
  behaviors and attitudes.

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Not convinced that generational differences have
impact?

• How and where did Kennedy die?

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Defining Conditions

• Generations are shaped by
• history and social eras
• technological advances
• economic conditions
• popular culture
• The generation we grow up in is just one of the
  influences on adult behavior

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The Four Generations

• Traditionalists/Veterans (Born 1922-1945)
• Baby Boomers (Born 1946-1964)
• Generation X (Born 1965-1982)
• Millennials/Generation Y (Born 1983-2005)

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Traditionalists

• Influences
• - Great Depression, Roaring 20s, World
  War I and II, Korean War, G.I. Bill
• Characteristics
• - Patriotic, loyal, waste not, want not, faith
  in institutions
• - Military influenced top-down approach
• Key Word

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Influential People/Events
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Baby Boomers

• Influences
• - Suburbia, TV, Vietnam, Watergate, protests,
  civil rights movement, womens liberation, drugs,
  rock n roll
• Characteristics
• - Idealistic, COMPETITIVE, question authority
• Key Word

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Influential People/Events
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Generation X

• Influences
• - Sesame Street, MTV, Game Boy, PC, divorce
  rate tripled, latch-key children
• Characteristics
• - resourceful, self-reliant, distrustful of
  institutions, highly adaptive to change and
  technology
• Key Word

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Influential People/Events
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Generation Y/Millennials

• Influences
• - Expanded technology, natural
  disasters, violence, gangs, diversity
• Characteristics
• - Globally concerned, realistic, cyber literate,
  personal safety a key concern

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Influential People/Evenets
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Strategies for Multi-Generational Work

• Get to know people as individuals
• Respect the ideas/thoughts of others
• Be flexible
• Be open minded

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Motivators

• Traditionalists - Involve as mentors and value
  expertise
• Boomers - Accommodate demands for flexibility
• Generation Xers - Acknowledge independent work
  habits
• Millennials - Flexibility, Give candid feedback

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Effective Communication

• Traditionalists - Straightforward messages, say
  what you mean and mean what you say, summarize
  information
• Boomers - Whats new, innovative, and different
  News magazine format, appreciate saving time
• Generation Xers - Frequent and concrete, News
  that impacts them
• Millennials - Emphasize commitment, share vision,
  invite to participate

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NEXT?????