Tapping into the Wisdom of the Ages: When Generations Collide

Part 2: Generational Personalities

With four generations working side-by-side in businesses and organizations across the USA, it is helpful to understand their "generational personalities" that were shaped by the "reference points" of their formative years.

Veterans (1900-1945) view of the world was formed in the shadow of hard times and optimism of America's triumph.  They went about rebuilding the nation and the economy to have a foundation for future generations to live out their American Dream.  Our nation was leaving the agrarian way of life and moving into a manufacturing mind-set.

Veterans like consistency and uniformity and things on a grand scale. They tend to be conformers and disciplined, believing in logic.  They are past-oriented and absorbed with history and have always believed in law and order.  Their spending style is conservative.

Baby Boomers (1946-1964) grew up in optimistic, positive times. The United States was on a growth curve—the "fertility boom" coincided with an "economic boom".

Boomers believe in growth and expansion, with a tendency towards optimism. They learned about teamwork in school and at home and pursued their own personal gratification uncompromisingly, often at a high price to themselves and others.  They've searched their souls, repeatedly, obsessively, and recreationally. They tend to think of themselves as stars of the show.

Generation X (1965-1980) formed their worldview in the post-Vietnam / Watergate / John Travolta / Pet Rock / Lava Lamp era. They experienced fallen heroes, a struggling economy and tripling divorce rates. This is the first generation whose mothers took pills to prevent them.  Many Gen X children experienced a "parent-free" childhood—they had to figure it out for themselves.

Gen X is self reliant and independent. They like informality and have a casual approach to authority.  With many X'ers not having a "childhood family" they seek a sense of family and often look to their work for this. They want balance in their lives — a "job is a job" and they "work to live".  "Work hours" don’t mean much to them since they keep their eye on the goal:  getting their work done. They tend to accomplish work more quickly than the previous generations, relying heavily on their technological savviness—so why would they want to be at "work" once their "work" is complete?  They tend to be skeptical, having received enough "lip service" and empty promises from American institutions during their formative years to know that those in power, authority, with fancy titles and even Mom and Dad said all too often "do as I say, not as I do."

Millennials (1981-1999) are the coddled and confident offspring of the most age-diverse parents ever—ranging from adolescents to Xers and Boomers.  One-third are born to single, unwed moms; many others to Boomers who postponed having children until their forties.  This is the "found" generation with parents escorting and advocating for them—some Millennials show up to their first job interview or assignment with a parent in tow, ready to explain their child's special needs. This generation influenced family spending on everything from computers to vacations to the floor plan for the new house.  For the first time in history, kids are the authority.  They know more than their parents about the basics—it's not just "reading, writing and 'rithmetic" anymore, it's the Internet.

Millennials are intense and energetic, with positive expectations. They know they are wanted.  They've had exposure to and acceptance of "multiculturalism" in their families, classrooms and Chat Rooms. They believe in collective action and technology is as natural as breathing for them.

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Tapping into the Wisdom of the Ages

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About the Author

Mary Kausch has more than 20 years experience in the human resources and consulting fields. Her company, HR etc!! “helps good people produce great results”. She has become known as St. Louis’s “generational guru,” having worked with more than 13,000 employees across the United States, bridging the gap of generational values, attitudes and behavior expressed in the workplace.