Summary: Teaching and Training The Silent Generation Established the hierarchical structure in organizations Negative perceptions of today’s students and teachers William Strauss wrote an article focused, primarily, on schools made up of Gen X and Gen Y(ers). His article presents a great overview of different generations in the classroom but his information on the impact the Silent Generation has had on the classroom is foundational. We have to realize that Silents, until recently, were school (both K-12 and Higher Ed.) administrators. So- they set the tone and then when they left their positions Boomers began to lead. Strauss says, specifically, that Silents seem to be the most negative abo

Summary: Generation Z Date range debated, personally, I like the “1995” start range that Jean Twenge references Generation Z: adaptable and entrepreneurial Read “iGen”…yesterday. Seriously, do it. Are you exhausted? I’m exhausted. I believe it is helpful (and wise) to think about the differences in generations, but trying to keep everything straight can be tiring. Just wait…we haven’t scratched the surface. To be honest, I am still wrapping my mind around Gen Z-especially how they are different from Millennials. As I mentioned in the Millennial post, some lump Gen Y into two categories (Old and New Millennials). This is crucial for understanding Gen Z. Because we have yet to see implications

Summary: Millennials Born between 1980-2000 (although this range is debated) Negative perceptions of Millennials abound Millennials love teams and collaboration Millennials have seen drastic technology advancement Millennials are unique. Unlike the Silent Generation, they are viewed as entitled with a minimal work ethic. Unlike the Boomers, money and consumerism are not as important or necessary. Unlike Gen X, Millennials are collaborative and want to hear the other and be heard. These unique generational traits make Millennials a target for discomfort and their unique wiring presents challenges to the status quo and, maybe more importantly, potential misunderstandings with members of ot

Summary: Generation X Born between 1965-1980 Smaller than Boomers and Millennials Independent, autonomous, results-oriented, a little cynical When “experts” mention generations in the workplace, Gen X is often forgotten. And, in some ways, for good reason. By sheer numbers Gen X (51 million) is much smaller than Boomers (80 million) and Millennials (75 million). Xers, born between 1965-1980, are small but mighty. Generally, Gen X values balance, independence and autonomy, pragmatism, and self-reliance. They are also cynical and skeptical. They grew up having to take care of themselves, as their parents invented the 60 hour work week, and that impacted their perceptions. Xers are a little ang

Summary: Baby Boomers Born between 1946-1964 80 million Boomers will leave the workforce in the next decade Many Boomer characteristics are counter-Millennial Each generation has a story. The Boomers (born between 1946-1964), have been referred to by some as the “Me” generation (sound familiar Millennials???). They are activists and radicals- “anti” (at least growing up) traditional patterns and trends. Boomers, for the most part, are leaders in current organizations. Similar to the Silent-generation, Boomers are career-loyalists. They are also professionally competitive, very career focused, and tend to hesitate when it comes to “trusting” Gen X, Gen Y (Millennials), and Gen Z. This generat

Summary: The Silent Generation Born between 1925-1945 The system is primary, necessary and important Lasting Legacy- corporate structure Each generation has a story. It is hard to not “generalize” different generations but, in some ways, we must. It is helpful to position different generations as distinct from previous or future groups. Over the next few posts I will try to give a summary overview of different generations, starting with the Silent Generation (born between 1925-1945). The Silent Generation, otherwise known as traditionalists, have experienced feast and famine, numerous tragic world events, significant technological innovation, and workforce transitions. Sons and daughters of