Communication and Motivation in the

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From Pearl Harbor to Pearl Jam
Communication and Motivation in the
Multi-Generational Workplace Michael H.
Samuelson Executive Director, The Health
Wellness Institute Vice President, Health
Wellness, BCBSRI 401-459-5853
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The Longevity RevolutionWhere have we beenand
where are we going
Life Expectancy 1000 - 2050
90
75
47
38
37
35
30
25
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A Trans-Generational CultureGenerations Working
Living Together(Pearl Harbor Meets Pearl Jam)

• Veterans
• Boomers
• Xers
• Nexters

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Veterans (Depression World War II Era)
Born 1922 - 1943
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The Cold War
Korea
Hiroshima
VE Day and VJ Day
Death of FDR
D-Day
Pearl Harbor
Election of FDR
Great Depression
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• Themes
• Security
• Comfort
• Traditional American Values
• Defining Events
• Depression Dust Bowl
• War
• Booming Post-War Economy

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Woodstock
Moon Landing
Kennedy King Kennedy Assassinations
Civil Rights Movement
Kennedy Elected
Vietnam
Polio Vaccine
Rock Roll
Television
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• Themes
• Experimentation
• Break the Rules
• Global Concerns
• Gender/Role Opportunity/Confusion
• Defining Events
• The Growth of Television
• The Kennedy Years
• Vietnam

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Born 1961 1980 1981 2006
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Gulf War II
September 11, 2001
Clinton Scandals
Oklahoma City Bombing
Desert Storm
Reagan Elected
John Lennon Shot
Fall of Berlin Wall
Challenger Explosion
Womens Rights Movement
First PCs
Iran Hostage Crisis
Nixon Resigns
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• Themes
• Make-it While You Can
• Cynical
• Searching for a Cause
• Defining Events
• End of the Cold War (whos the enemy?)
• Post-Watergate Fallout
• Birth Growth of the Computer Age
• Terrorism
• September 11, 2001

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Linear vs. Cyclic Life Plan
90 86 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 5
0
Recreation
Recreation
Recreation
W
E
Work
Work
CYCLIC
LINEAR
Recreation
Education
Work
Recreation
Education
Education
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Motivation
Veterans(Depression World War II Era)

• Take Time for Touch. Handwrite a note rather
  than e-mail.
• Let them chat and socialize between assigned
  tasks.
• Honor their hard work with plaques and other
  symbolic records of achievement.

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Motivation
Boomers

• Give them lots of public recognition.
• Give them a chance to prove themselves.
• Give them perks with status, like an expense
  account and/or assigned parking.
• Assist them in gaining name recognition
  throughout the company.
• Ask for their input.
• Reward their work ethic and long hours.

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Motivation
Xers

• Give them lots of projects. Let them take
  control of prioritizing and juggling.
• Give them constant constructive feedback.
• Give them time to pursue other interests (have
  fun at work).
• Invest in the latest computer technology.

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Motivation
Nexters

• Learn about their personal goals. Show how they
  mesh with the companys.
• Make all opportunities truly equal. Forget
  traditional gender roles.
• Be sensitive to the potential for conflict with
  Xers.
• Open avenues for education and skill-building.
• Establish mentor programs.

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Rewards
Veterans(Depression World War II Era)

• Veterans like plaques trophies.
• They like having their photo taken with important
  people.
• Veterans like trips to posh retreats for
  seminars.

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Rewards
Boomers

• Baby Boomers like lots of public recognition and
  status symbols.
• They love to see-the-world.
• This generation places value on Fine dining.
• Boomers find status in being a company
  spokesperson (the smell of the grease paintthe
  roar of the crowd).

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Rewards
Xers

• They appreciated better technology.
• Xers like adventure holidays (extreme sport
  vacations).
• This group places high value on family oriented
  rewards and time-off as a perk.

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Rewards
Nexters

• The Nexter likes outdoor events including picnics
  and concerts.
• They are big on sporting events and group night
  out.

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From Pearl Harbor to Pearl Jam
Communication and Motivation in the
Multi-Generational Workplace Michael H.
Samuelson Executive Director, The Health
Wellness Institute Vice President, Health
Wellness, BCBSRI 401-459-5853