Engaging the Next Generation Today: A Fresh Look at Your Multigenerational Staff

1. Engaging the Next Generation Today: A Fresh Look at Your Multigenerational Staff Houston Ruck Creative Director Growth Energy Shira Harrington Founder & President Purposeful Hire

2. Kids These Days! “Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food and tyrannize their teachers.” Socrates (470-399 B.C.)

3. Disclaimers About the Generations

5. What Shaped the Traditionalists? Traditionalist 1915 - 1945

6. Traditionalist Values • Hard work • Sacrifice • Respect for authority • Following the rules • Frugality • Military focus • God and country

7. What Shaped the Baby Boomers? Baby Boomer 1946 - 1964

8. Baby Boomer Values • Respect for seniority • Live to work • Pay your dues • Face time • Career-focused • Competitive • Long-tenured jobs • Women in leadership • Diversity / Civil rights

9. Baby Boomers Today • Sandwiched generation • Facing financial crisis • Can’t retire • Long life expectancy • Many want to reinvent their careers

10. What Shaped Generation X? Generation X 1965 - 1980

11. Generation X Values • Independence • Self-reliance • Cynicism • Questions authority • Entrepreneurism • Work to live • Work-life balance

12. Generation X Today • Many choosing to forgo executive roles • Waiting for Boomers to retire • Moms trying to re-enter workforce

13. What Shaped the Millennials? Millennial 1981 - 2000

14. Millennial Values • High expectations / Self-esteem • Strong parental influence • Global diversity • Saving the environment • Tech-focused • Team oriented • Work-life integration • Multi-tasking • Rapid career advancement • Frequent feedback • Question everything • Personal branding

15. Millennials Today • Facing massive college debt • 61% of recent grads unemployed or underemployed • Want to innovate but fear failing • Afraid of commitment • Unlimited opportunities • Want to change the world

16. Generational Work Values

17. Decline of Employer Loyalty Who are YOU loyal to? • Older generations loyal to employer • 1990s recession broke loyalty contract • Millennials tuned to station WIIFM • Employees are paid volunteers • Focused on career advancement This is a challenge for succession planning!

18. Authority / Leadership How does a leader get respect? Older workers • Respect for authority based on military model (age, tenure, rank) Younger workers • Respect for authority not assumed…it’s earned

19. What Happened to Work Ethic? Face time… or get the job done? Older workers • Putting in face time = good work ethic Younger workers • Paid to get job done regardless of when/where

20. Sharing Knowledge Is Knowledge Really Power? Older Workers • Knowledge is on need-to-know basis Younger Workers • Knowledge should be shared freely

21. Time for Discussion!

22. Discuss at your tables What is one thing you could do to raise the level of engagement in your multigenerational workforce?

23. Questions? Shira Harrington Founder & President Purposeful Hire, Inc. shira@purposefulhire.com 703-508-9573 www.purposefulhire.com Houston Ruck Creative Director Growth Energy hruck@growthenergy.org @SawatdeeRuck