If you are a baby boomer and share your working space with the under-30 crowd I am betting that you think those young adults are not getting enough work done. You may even feel the same way about your younger generation children.
Think again! It is true they may create funny videos during lunch or throw a pizza party when they complete a project. It does look as if they are frequently playing. The truth is they are getting work done; they are just doing it differently and too many of us baby boomers fail to understand that. Besides, generations do not always understand one another which is too bad because this is probably the first time in history where four generations converge in the workplace and that may cause problems.
As members of Generations X and Y face an office of boomers, they usually start to chafe. Too many restrictions. These women and men have watched their parents sacrifice for their careers and they want more balance and freedom. Boomers, on the other hand, do not understand why anyone would leave at 5 p.m. if there is still work to be done.
Good communication among generations is the answer according to the experts. To get the message across you first need to understand the differences among the four generations. My task here is not to give you a stereotypic description but to inform you about the traits and preferences that generally apply to each generation. This may help you understand the other generations just enough to make a huge difference in your work and family.
Members of the oldest generation, born between 1925 and 1946 are called traditionalists. They tend to be hard working, used to taking direction, and have a strict moral code.
Baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964 tend to display loyalty to their company, assume that working overtime is a given, and believe that they can make a difference by working together.
Gen Xers, born between 1964 and 1982, tend to care more about autonomy, seek a balance between work and home, and look out for their own interests first.
Generation Y, born between 1982 and the late 1990s, and also known as Millenials, grew up with technology. They are similar to Xers but more optimistic, fun seeking and flexible. They are also the most coddled of all generations. I tell you this because if you're a traditionalist, born before 1946 or one of the early baby boomers, you're going to be facing others that have different workplace values and were influenced by different cultural phenomena. They may think differently and see life slightly different than you. As a rule, they were pampered more and used to getting their own way. Kids born before, during or right after the war didn't have that luxury.
Of course these generalizations have to be tempered by knowing the individual's work habits and personalities which may not be related at all to the time slow in which they were born. But just knowing a few things about each generation should cut down on needless family and workplace arguments.
And if you are a baby boomer you have a head start because you have more experience and can more readily manage your life across the generation gaps.
You certainly can do business with any and all age groups. And it's not my purpose to stereotype the ages but I do recognize the differences. Recognizing and understanding those differences helps me communicate well with people of all ages. That makes me more successful in my business. Take this little tid bit and be more successful in your business.
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