Generations Colliding

By Ann Meacham

Right about the time the Boomers learned to work with Gen Xers, the Millennials became more prevalent in the workplace.  Many of their co-workers and managers shake their heads when they try to figure out how to best work with them.

It might help to understand that the Core Values of each generation are created based on people and events that were significant in their youth. Consider these representative comparisons: ¹

	Millennials (1981-1999)	Gen Xers (1965-1980)	Boomers (1946-1964)
Influential people of their impressionable years	Harry Potter, George W., Mark Zuckerberg, Diana, Princess of Wales, Michael Jackson	Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Dilbert, Madonna, Michael Jordan, OJ Simpson	JFK, MLK Jr., Nixon Beatles, Rolling Stones, Gloria Steinem
Events/Places	9/11, terrorist attacks, school shootings, Hurricane Katrina, 1990s Recession, cyberspace	Berlin Wall, Lockerbie Scotland, latch-key kids, Starbucks, divorces, Chernobyl	Watergate, sit-Ins, desegregation, Suburbs, Woodstock, Kent State
Most Important Invention	Tablets, smart phones, laptops, social media, texting	Personal Computer cell phone, video games, smart phone, tablets	Television, Space Exploration
Rewards	Time for themselves, flexible hours, career path options, be an entrepreneur	Freedom, respect, acknowledgement, career flexibility	Money, title, recognition, corner office, career security
Outlook	Optimistic, innovative, technological, ecological collaboration	Self-sufficient, skeptical, resourceful	Competitive, achievement, “me” generation, anything’s possible

“It is therefore understandable that the stereotypical ambitious Boomer workaholic may be critical of one who does not share the same ethics and values. The independent Gen Xer may not appreciate the team orientation and desire for seemingly constant feedback. At the same time, the social-minded Millennial may not understand the priorities of other generations… A wired, connected world is all that Millennials have ever known.“²

Effective ways to engage Millennials:

•  Teach them the expectations of our organizations in a way that makes sense to them.  Hierarchical organization structures can cause them to disengage.
• Respect them for what they offer and give them opportunities to earn trust.
• Understand that they are willing to work hard and long, and they also want work with meaning and a work-life balance.
• Have a strong brand, clearly articulated vision, strong purpose, shared values and clear career path options.
• Recognize the value they can bring to the business: technology skills, ability to innovate and a high level of comfort with change.
• "Show your willingness to try new approaches" ³

The oldest Millennials are now 34.  How are you making the most of their talent and drive?

Ann Meacham, president of Leadership Dynamics, works with business owners and executives to clear their blind spots so they can identify the issues that need to be addressed and focus on making their business succeed. . 

sign up for a Free Strategy Session or email her: ann@leadyourteams.com   www.leadyourteams.com

¹ Lancaster, Lynne and Stillman, David, “When Generations Collide”, HarperCollinsPublishers, 2005

² U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, “The Millennial Generation Research Review” 2014 http://bit.ly/1vEjDAt

³ Beverly Jones, Clearways Consulting, Washington, D.C.

100% Focused!

As I rounded the street corner, I could see my house in the distance. Almost home, I thought. I had been running for 45 minutes and the muscles in my mind and body were balanced. Pure bliss. If you are a runner, you can relate to that mind/body balance. That feeling of being in tune with the present – 100% focused.

In business, as in life, it can be a challenge hitting that 100% focused mark, while many other “urgent” pressing matters may be filling up our mind, body and calendar. This accumulation of thoughts saying “finish me now” creates that all too familiar stressful mood, which throws you out of balance. This uneasy mood decreases our focus, as we feel the need to do all the priorities on our to do list – at the same time.

Not. Going. To. Happen.

How can we get grounded, when we feel we may be spiraling out of control?

Try to focus more.

Today it is so easy to be rattled with everyday distractions such as texting, email, phone calls, visitors, meetings, and other pressing matters that seem to be hitting you all at once. The trick is to do…

One. Thing. At. A. Time.

I know what you’re thinking, “That’s impossible!”

Don’t believe me?

Try it for 3 days this week.

What are your priorities?

Make a quick list. Rank them, and start working on one task at a time. If you are working on a month long project, devote one full 100% focused hour to that project today with zero distractions. When that hour is up, go onto your next task. It may be a smaller task or the next phase of another project, but give that 100% focus as well. This will be tough at first, but you must curb the desire to check that smart phone every 5 minutes. You are working on new thought "muscles", so a little "soreness" is normal.

Upon completion of your 3 day challenge, you’ll see the amount of work you accomplished in just 3 days. And you will feel great, like when I rounded the street corner. If you decide to continue past 3 days, great things will begin to happen. Colleagues in your company will begin to take notice in the quality of work you’re presenting on a regular basis, increasing your reliability and integrity. This will lead to more confidence, which in turn can lead to a possible promotion and eventually more money in your pocket. All because you decided to make the commitment of being 100% focused at work.

As a Professional Organizer, Speaker, Author, Podcast Producer & Host, Rick Woods helps residents and businesses make room for clarity, by getting rid of the clutter that gets in their way.

Listen to Rick's free weekly podcast "Make Room For Clarity", which focuses on interviewing business & health experts by visiting www.makeroomforclarity.com.

Inquire about Rick's professional organizing business, "The Functional Organizer, LLC.", which focuses on decluttering, organizing, paper filing and time management by visiting www.tforganizer.com.