WORKING IN A

MULTIGENERATIONAL
OFFICE
OVERVIEW 1. Review of generational
studies
2. Review of generations
3. Strategies

4. Case study

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1.
ABOUT
GENERATIONAL
STUDIES

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ABOUT Generational studies can tell you…

IMPACT BROAD PERSPECTIVES

Impact of large-scale events
May change the way we think
about the world
Is the color of coal, ebony, and of outer
space. It is the darkest color, the result of
the absence of or complete absorption
of light.

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ABOUT Generational studies CAN’T tell you…

INDIVIDUAL SKILLS INDIVIDUAL PERSPECTIVES

Strengths, skills, knowledge Geographic location, specific upbringing,
personalities, etc

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2.
WHO ARE
WE?

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Baby
Boomers
(1946-1964) “GREAT “TOP-DOWN”
IMPACTED BY:
EXPECTATION” HIERARCHY World events: Vietnam
GENERATION APPROACH War, Civil Rights
Currently approaching ▪ Parents were ▪ work within a
Movement, Red Scare,
retirement/ already Traditionalists who company and get
first walk on the moon
retired fought in WWII promoted Technology: TV,
▪ Had many throughout lifetime transistor radio,
expectations for cassette tapes
▪ Work-centric,
their children independent, goal-
oriented, competitive
Adjectives: Work-
centric, independent, ▪ Seniority/
goal-oriented, recognition matters
competitive ▪ Career-focused

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GEN X
(1965-1979) “LATCH KEY KIDS” “CREDIT-SAVVY” IMPACTED BY:
▪ Parents Baby ▪ Keeping up with the World events: Stock
Many in managerial Boomers who Joneses market crash in 1970s,
valued careers
positions ▪ Divorce rates soar Desert Storm of 1990
▪ Often return home
from school to an
empty house Technology: Personal
Computer, Walkman,
Atari/ video games

VIEWS ON WORK:

Adjectives: self- ▪ Work to live

sufficient, ▪ Work/ life balance
independent, skeptical ▪ Views work as “Just
a job” works best
on parameters and
deadlines 18
GEN Y Y2K
(1980-1994) “MILLENIALS” “CREDIT DEPENDENT” IMPACTED BY:
▪ Came of age at the ▪ Credit cards are way World events: school
middle turn of the century of live shootings, 9/11,
management ▪ Were told “you can ▪ Credit scores mean Recession,
do what you want to more
positions with hard work”
Technology:
▪ Helicopter parenting Computers in homes,
Internet boom, more
connected and smaller
Adjectives: creative, VIEWS ON WORK: world
technologically savvy, ▪ Collaborative
results-oriented, leadership style
impatient, entitled ▪ Changes in careers
to get ahead
▪ Values flexibility
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GEN Z
(1994-2010) “DIGITAL NATIVES” LIFELONG DEBT IMPACTED BY:
▪ Born during Internet ▪ Debt becomes a way World events: post-9/11
emerging boom of life (school loan world, student activism
debt, credit uses on
professionals ▪ Grew up with social
everyday items)
(March for our Lives,
media #MeToo, Black Lives
Matter, etc), Great
▪ An even smaller,
Recession
more connected
world
Adjectives: pragmatic, VIEWS ON WORK:
▪ Exposed to other Technology: Internet,
efficient, short attention Inclusive work environment
cultures earlier ▪ smartphones, “on demand”
spans, creative, “why
Values social change, TV (Netflix, hulu, etc)
not?”, flexible, results- ▪ FOMO; comparing ▪

oriented, impatient and oneself to others on diversity, technological

entitled social media advances, community
engagement
▪ Will likely change careers
at leave 4 times 20
3.
WORKING
TOGETHER

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WORKING
TOGETHER
WHAT YOU CAN LEARN: WHAT YOU CAN TEACH:
▪ Loyalty  How to use new
technology
▪ Wisdom through hard
times  Risk taking
▪ Experience  Flexibility between work
▪ Interpersonal skills and life
▪ Regrets and past  Fulfilling dreams
mistakes
 Diversity and social
change

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 ▪ Respect knowledge, ideas, and wisdom “I appreciate
STRATEGIES your perspective and your wisdom”

▪ Honor others’ need for work/ life balance -- don’t expect

a text, call, or email after hours or on the weekends. “I know it’s the
weekend, but I just wanted to drop a note so that we could meet
sometime next week about x, y, z.”

▪ Recognize generational differences, but don’t assume

anything
▪ Be open to feedback and constructive criticism; take
notes, ask for clarification, and thank them for their
time “Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I appreciate
your willingness to be honest about my performance. Can you give
me an example or clarify this thought?”

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 ▪ Be proactive – ask for advice or input on your ideas
STRATEGIES “I have a few ideas I’d like to discuss. Do you have time on your
calendar to meet with me?”

▪ Be prepared for meetings (be succinct and

concise) Email or print out your part of the meeting
ahead of time
▪ Communicate often – both through email and face
to face
▪ Ask questions for understanding “Can I get a
deadline on this project?” “What are your expectations of
me in this position?” “Am I meeting your expectations?”
▪ Build trust through solid work ethic (arrive on time,
meet your deadlines, dress appropriately etc)

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 1. Get into groups of 5 or 6
ACTIVITY
2. Each group will be given a scenario and
discussion questions.
3. Groups should be prepared to discuss as a whole
at the end.
(5-8 minutes)

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TED TALK

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