Generational Contributions - What Traditionalists, Boomers, X-ers and Millennials Bring to the Party

When you think about it over the centuries one thing has remained constant...... No matter what generation you are a part of, when you entered the workforce your parent's generation thought you: lacked work ethic, were rude, disloyal, lazy, etc.

A famous quote by Socrates underlines this point, "The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they allow disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children now are tyrants." So it's nothing new, but oftentimes we over look what each generation brought to the party of life and work.

Our Traditionalists ages 61-79 created a solid foundation by the sweat of their brows, literally. If you consider it from Maslow's Hierarchy they were focused on the basics, food, shelter, clothing, safety. They made sure there was a free democratic union for us to live, love and flourish in today.

Our Boomers ages 43-60 got to move up the hierarchy to new levels of self-actualization focusing on education, human rights, civil rights, womens rights. They started charities by the thousands. In 1928  there were 128 charities and foundations mostly started by private families. By 2000 there were 90,000 not-for-profit organizations started by individuals and public organizations. Optimistic, idealistic and competitive, their drive and need to make their mark had many positive impacts, as well as a few environmental draw backs.

That's where much of the Gen X generation have focused their energies. The consumer "pig and the python" phenomenon of the Boomers left the Xers asking, "Ok, but what's the impact of that on the environment for my children's future? While Boomers consumed, Xers conserve- the Three R's, Reduce, Re-use, Recycle.

In come the Millennials (Gen Y) and they more than any other generation have the freedom to ask (Why?) What's my purpose? Do I have a place here? Does this make a difference?

A Traditionalist would say, "Charity starts at home".

A Boomer would say "I'm going to start a charity and change the world." "I'm going to the moon! (or there abouts.)"

An X-er would say "I want to change the world but I'm going to start at the grass roots level one-to-one. Focus, focus, focus! I don't want to over promise and under deliver."

A Millennial, well changing the world is just what they do. Volunteering with their late-Boomer early X-er parents from the time they were in diapers. They have a resume of charity, innovative projects that would make a "Buckhead Betty" proud by the time they enter college.

When trying to attract and retain and X-ers or Millennials showcasing how your company supports and actively encourages their core values can go a long way to persuading them to choose to come to you. Before they care about what you do, they need to know you care about what they value.