I had a great time facilitating a breakout session on Generational Diversity in Fresno today on behalf of Merced College Workplace Learning Resource Center. We looked at the four generations currently in the workplace:
- Matures —– Born before 1945
- Boomers —- Born from 1945 to 1964
- Gen Xers —- Born from 1965 to 1980
- Millennials — Born after 1980
Research about leaders working with the younger generations has found that:
Challenged Leaders:
- Talked about how others generations needed to change
- Felt the only power they had was their positional authority
- Working with Millennials made them feel older
- Saw Millennials as an impediment to their own success
Successful Leaders:
- Talked about their own need to change to manage newer generations
- Use the power of relationship versus the power of position
- Working with Millennials made them feel younger
- Saw themselves as key to the Millennials’ success
Quite a contrast. How are you leading?