You’ve probably heard a lot about Millenials lately, and that’s largely because they are shaking up the way we do business. However, this is just one of the four major age generations that, as a manager and business owner, you should be aware of. Understanding the nuances and differences between these four generations will help you in business communications as well as adapting your management style. This is the start of a series that will take an in-depth look at each generation and its core characteristics.
What are the different age generations?
Although some sources may vary, there are four different age generations that are generally recognized as: Traditionalists (born before 1946), Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964), Gen X (born 1965-1981) and Gen Y-Millenials (born 1982-2000). These generations each have their own sets of stereotypes that should be navigated carefully and leveraged in the best possible way to improve business communication.
Basic generational characteristics
Traditionalists: Often considered among the most loyal workers, Traditionalists are highly dedicated and avoid risk in the workplace. The Great Depression, World War II and the postwar boom years shaped their values. They possess a high regard for teamwork and collaboration.
Baby Boomers: With a high priority placed on work over personal life, Boomers are known for having second and third careers after “retirement”. They are responsible for the “Me Generation,” pursuing personal gratification, which can show up as a sense of entitlement in today’s work force.
Gen X: Often considered the “slacker” generation, Gen X-ers were raised as “latchkey kids”, meaning both parents worked, so they had to let themselves in the house after school. They naturally question authority figures and are perceived as very adaptive to job instability.
Gen Y-Millenials: With strong influences from their Boomer parents, Millenials are widely known for being both more demanding than previous generations and also more focused on teamwork and collaboration.
We will address each of the generations and how they behave at work in our new series. Do you have specific generational questions? Let me know.
By Blair Koch
