Generational Differences: How can we work with old people and not want to smack them?

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Generational Differences How can we work with
old people and not want to smack them?

• Karlene Belyea, MBA
• Chief Executive Officer

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Generations in the WorkplaceA Video Example

• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vV2k3Mx07B9I
• http//now.msn.com/generation-y-takes-the-blame-fo
  r-worlds-problems-caused-by-previous-generations-i
  n-viral-videotscptmf

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Definition of a Generation

• A generation is a group of people within a
  particular society defined by age
  boundariesthose who were born during a certain
  time period. People in a generation share similar
  experiences growing up, and their values and
  attitudes, particularly about work-related
  topics, tend to be similar, based on those shared
  experiences during their formative years.

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The Silent Generation (Matures) 1925-1945

• Duty, honor, country, dedication and sacrifice,
  unity, national pride
• Age respect

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In the News
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Popular Culture Entertainment
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Things in our Lives
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Important things to remember about Matures

• Dedicated to a job once they take it.
• Respectful of authority, even if it sometimes
  frustrates them.
• Place duty before pleasure.
• Patience is a virtue and are willing to wait for
  the delayed reward.
• Honor and integrity are critical parts of their
  being.
• Resistant to change and will tend to avoid it.
• Reluctant to challenge the system.

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Boomers (1946-1964)

• Work ethic, live to work, optimistic, defined by
  their job, competitive, all about status

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In the News
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Popular Culture Entertainment
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Thing in our lives
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Important things to remember about boomers

• Live to work.
• Have a general sense of optimism regardless of
  what happens.
• The size of their generation has allowed them
  unprecedented influence on government policy and
  consumer products.
• Have always been willing to go into debt, betting
  on future income.
• Tend to be team and process oriented, sometimes
  to the detriment of results.
• Very nostalgic about their youth and seek to
  preserve it.
• Strive for convenience and personal
  gratification.

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Gen X (1980-1965)

• Self reliant, work to live NOT live to work, ease
  in technology, loyal to boss not the company
• Mentor Give me the project and let me do it.

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In the news
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Popular Culture Entertainment
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Things in our lives
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Important things to remember about Generation X

• Work to live.
• Jobs are viewed within the context of a contract.
• Clear and consistent expectations are essential.
• Providing the opportunity to grow will lengthen
  tenure.
• A sense of contribution while having fun will
  keep an X-er productive.
• Earning money is only one part of a larger
  equation which includes contribution to the
  whole.
• Versatility of skills and experiences ensures
  employability.
• Very, very, very independent.

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Millennials (1980-2000)

• Multi-taskers, want to be famous, instant
  gratification, a product of the failed
  self-esteem movement, at home in a diverse,
  technologically sophisticated world, raised by
  helicopter parents
• Mentor Do the project with me and then turn me
  loose.

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In the news
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Popular Culture Entertainment
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Things in our lives
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Important things to remember about Millennials

• Conditioned to live in the moment.
• Used to the immediacy of technology and expect
  everything with it.
• Clear and consistent expectations are essential
  to ensure productivity.
• Earn money for the purpose of immediate
  consumption.
• Will demonstrate respect only after they have
  been treated with respect.
• Have grown up learning to question everything.
• As a generation, they are astoundingly diverse
  demographically.

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Communications Challenges
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Each generation makes assumptions aboutthe
younger generations

• Younger generations will define success the
  same way we have.
• Younger workers should follow the same path we
  did to achieve that success.
• Younger workers need to pay their dues

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Common Strategies for the Older Generations

• Villainize Young associates just arent what
  they used to be.
• Tolerate We have no choice. We have to let
  them work here.

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Common Strategies for the Younger Generations

• Villainize Old people are so out of it. They
  dont get anything, especially technology or
  having a life.
• Tolerate We just have to be patient. Change
  will happen one funeral at a time.

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Generation Gap

• If you think about it as a GENERATION GAP it
  leads to an Us versus Them Mentality.

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Instead, think of it as a Generation Opportunity
toENGAGE!

• Experienced individuals can benefit from the
  contribution the next generation will make.
• Young people can learn from the wisdom and
  experience already available.

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Exceptional Veterinary Team

• One where practice owners, associates, staff, and
  students can learn, thrive and make a difference
  for their profession.
• Take advantage of the opportunity instead of
  increasing the gap.

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Strategy for Success

• Recognize and suspend the bias of your own
  experience.
• Learn how to speak their language.
• Build relationships.
• Everybody thinks of changing humanity
  (associates/colleagues/staff) and nobody thinks
  of changing himself. -Leo Tolstoy

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What is it about the older/younger generation
that pushes my buttons?

• Why am I so bothered by the fact that my
  associates feel differently than I do about
  work-life balance?
• What threats do Matures, Millennials, Boomers,
  Generation X values represent?
• What role do I play in causing tension between
  us?
• How will I need to change in order to take
  advantage of the generation opportunity?

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Build Relationships

• Think of someone in your practice. How can you
  build a relationship with that person?
• Tacit knowledge, the knowledge captured within
  the experience of people who have spent a career
  acquiring it, can only be transferred through
  relationships.

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Implementation Example for Discussion
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Dr. Boomer can

• Assume the generational stereotype about Dr.
  Millennial (she is being disrespectful) and tell
  her to do what she is told, or
• Try to understand what caused Dr. Millennials
  frustration and attempt to brainstorm an
  effective approach to training.

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Dr. Millennial could have

• Worded her concern differently I see you are
  keeping me focused on the basics. What is your
  thinking behind this?
• Given him an opportunity to explain his
  rationale, opening up the lines of communication
  in a constructive way.

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Generational Tips

• Each generation is shaped by the era in which
  they grew up.
• Dont make assumptions based on generational
  stereotypes. Every team member brings multiple
  skills and talents.
• Learn to ask questions that will get you to the
  root of the issue. The key is first listening.
• Focus on effectively communicating about issues
  underlying a conflict to enhance teamwork.

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Generational Tips

• Remind yourself of what you stand to gain by
  taking advantage of the generational opportunity.
  Older generations bring wisdom and experience
  younger generations bring enthusiasm and a new
  way of doing things.
• The combination of these varied approaches leads
  to synergy and innovation!

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Just to recap
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MVMA thanks Dr. Betsy Charles for sharing her
work and articles on generational strategies.
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If you have questions, the MVMA staff has
resources to assist you!

• Contact MVMA at [phone] or
  mvma_at_michvma.org
• Visit our website at www.michvma.org