WEBVTT 00:00:00.450 --> 00:00:04.580 I had the information, and she just shut me down. I'm not some punk kid. 00:00:04.610 --> 00:00:06.110 I've been doing this for five years. 00:00:06.150 --> 00:00:08.280 Nobody wants to hear from the old guy, though. 00:00:08.310 --> 00:00:12.039 When they're not thinking I've lost it, they're planning my retirement party. 00:00:12.040 --> 00:00:13.981 I've been called a workaholic, 00:00:14.010 --> 00:00:16.910 and I guess sometimes I expect the same from others. 00:00:16.950 --> 00:00:19.580 She lives her life to work. I work to have a life. 00:00:19.610 --> 00:00:22.737 They need technology, and we know technology. 00:00:22.738 --> 00:00:26.950 But it's hard to make the trip when the dinosaurs won't come along for the ride. 00:00:26.951 --> 00:00:31.939 But when I call a meeting, everyone needs to be there. It's that simple. 00:00:39.550 --> 00:00:46.220 You know, many organizations, including mine, now have four generations of people working together. 00:00:46.221 --> 00:00:47.311 Four! 00:00:47.350 --> 00:00:51.079 It's the first time in modern history that that's happened. 00:00:51.080 --> 00:00:55.011 So what's the big deal? Why does that matter? 00:00:55.050 --> 00:00:58.127 Well, let's take a minute to get grounded here. 00:00:58.129 --> 00:01:02.633 While the names and the exact dates for each generation can be debated, 00:01:02.634 --> 00:01:04.998 one common view is this: 00:01:04.999 --> 00:01:08.952 Traditionalists were born before World War II. 00:01:08.980 --> 00:01:13.150 Baby Boomers were the post-war birthrate explosion, 00:01:13.180 --> 00:01:16.952 and they're followed by Generation X, born in the 60s and 70s. 00:01:16.952 --> 00:01:21.450 And the latest group, Generation Y, was born after 1980 00:01:21.480 --> 00:01:27.150 and is in the process of replacing the Boomers as the largest group in the workplace. 00:01:27.180 --> 00:01:33.080 Each generation brings its own unique values and characteristics to the workplace 00:01:33.110 --> 00:01:35.300 based on their shared experiences. 00:01:35.301 --> 00:01:41.616 Generational influences like wars, economics, world leaders, and pop culture 00:01:41.617 --> 00:01:47.111 help make us who we are, and we bring all of who we are to the workplace. 00:01:47.150 --> 00:01:53.350 That's why how we view ourselves, our organizations, what we value, and even how we work 00:01:53.380 --> 00:01:57.189 can be pretty different based on our generation. 00:01:57.190 --> 00:02:01.951 Now, we've all seen it happen: people discounted or teased because of their age, 00:02:01.980 --> 00:02:08.114 young or old; changing definitions of what is respectful or appropriate dress or behavior; 00:02:08.115 --> 00:02:11.786 one generation viewing another as rigid and behind the times 00:02:11.787 --> 00:02:17.312 or as having a poor work ethic, no loyalty, or not willing to pay their dues. 00:02:17.840 --> 00:02:23.128 Now, this is not about putting people into neat little generational boxes. 00:02:23.129 --> 00:02:26.780 That would be stereotyping, and that's never good. 00:02:26.810 --> 00:02:31.581 All the people in a generation are not going to share all the same characteristics. 00:02:31.582 --> 00:02:33.386 For example, "cuspers." 00:02:33.757 --> 00:02:38.250 Those are the people born at the end of one generation or the beginning of the next. 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:42.910 They often share the characteristics of two generations and relate well to both. 00:02:42.950 --> 00:02:48.017 And this isn't only about our differences, because we have a lot in common too... 00:02:48.018 --> 00:02:53.351 things like wanting respect, fairness, and an opportunity to contribute. 00:02:53.380 --> 00:02:57.957 It's just that how we view these things and how they matter to each generation 00:02:57.957 --> 00:03:00.180 can differ pretty widely. 00:03:00.210 --> 00:03:02.810 So what do we do about it? 00:03:02.850 --> 00:03:05.480 Well, once we understand why it matters, 00:03:05.481 --> 00:03:08.586 we have to learn how to better communicate across generations 00:03:08.587 --> 00:03:14.878 in order to have a positive impact on productivity, teamwork, dealing with change, and more. 00:03:14.879 --> 00:03:19.333 And the best way that I've found to help do that is to MEET: 00:03:19.334 --> 00:03:24.615 make time to discuss whatever is affecting working relationships and productivity; 00:03:24.616 --> 00:03:28.791 explore and acknowledge our differences; encourage respect 00:03:28.792 --> 00:03:34.257 for each other's generational perspectives; and take responsibility for our own actions 00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:36.822 and be willing to be part of the solution. 00:03:36.823 --> 00:03:40.681 In other words, find a way to meet on common ground. 00:03:41.328 --> 00:03:48.042 And anybody, any generation, any job level can use this to get past conflicts and issues 00:03:48.043 --> 00:03:52.380 and create a respectful, productive workplace. 00:03:52.410 --> 00:03:56.100 It isn't always easy, but it's worth the effort.