Generation Y versus the Baby Boomers : Alliance Academy

Saturday, February 3, 2007 - Generation Y versus the Baby Boomers

Can't we all just get along?

As this new generation enters the workforce, they present quite a challenge when trying to interface with the Baby Boomers who are their co-workers and bosses. Baby Boomers are defined by demographers as being born between 1946 to 1964, while Gen X is from 1965 to 1980 and Generation Y comes in from 1981 to 1999.

Let's take a look at the generational differences in communication between Gen Y and the Boomers. It's important to understand these differences to better interface with peers and customers in day to day mortgage originations.

What are some of the biggest differences?

COMMUNICATION:
Gen Y is very focused on written communication and they were pretty much raised on the internet. (IM, email, text messaging, etc.) These folks never really had to leave their room to have a social life and frequently use slang in emails, such as Y instead of "why," 4 instead of "for." Conversely, Boomers think that written communication, including emails, should be more formal. The Gen Y’ers haven't been in the workplace long enough to understand that emails in the work place should not be slang.

Additionally, Generation Y, as a whole, does not speak as well. Writing and speaking are very different. Writing skills are more formalized because you have time to think through what you are saying. Their verbal skills, however, are very rusty because they have yet to learn those verbal and non-verbal cues, that only come from on the job experience.

TECHNOLOGY:
Gen Y is really good with technology, which can be brought into the workplace. Gen Y quickly figures out a program just by trying it and boomers have to read the manuals. Not as much money has to be spent training on technology as in years past. They can also teach boomers how to use the technology. Boomers can really take advantage of this opportunity.

ATTIRE:
Gen Y is at a disadvantage here due to the advent of the "casual" workplace. They are getting really mixed signals. The truth of the matter is that every generation has relaxed the standards from those of the generations before them. Unfortunately, torn jeans that cost $100, even though they were really expensive, does not make them appropriate for the workplace because it does not set the impression that you are worthy of earning the respect and trust of coworkers and customers. Other bad examples are bare midriff, tank tops, baggy jeans, no belt, extreme piercings, tattoos, etc. These all are fine for play time, but not okay in the workplace. Additionally, the rules of attire are completely dependent on your audience. You have to really ask yourself, who is your audience? Heck, even from city to city, the dress codes change. This is really a growth area for the younger generation.

EARNING RESPECT:
Generation Y is a self-assured generation, as they were raised that way by Boomers. They were taught to have lots of confidence and pride in themselves. The difference here is that Baby Boomers had to work hard earn that respect.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE:
Is Generation Y going to be any more successful at the work/life balance? Doubt it. Business hasn’t gotten less busy and is making more demands. Fortunately or unfortunately, the technology has allowed multi-tasking, such as checking emails, text messaging, etc. in the evenings really easy. Since they are watching TV, they don’t really think that they are working, but I think in the long run they’ll realize that they are working more than the Baby Boomers did.

In the next 10 years, what is the workforce going to be like?
Technology is going to take us light years away beyond places we can imagine. Boomers will be largely retired and the Gen Y'ers will be well into their worklife. The communication via technology will be well installed.

Hopefully, the Gen Y'ers will learn that face-to-face communication, or even phone calls, will have much more impact and are much more productive than emailing and IMing back and forth.

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Saturday, February 3, 2007 - Generation Y versus the Baby Boomers

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