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How many of you have had a conversation with another person of a different generation and when they left you know they didn’t know what you were saying? So you wrote a note in cursive? And they responded with a text?
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I’m on a mission to separate myth from truth, to show the value we each bring.
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The number one trend that shapes generations and no one talks about it: parenting.
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Millennials had a distinct parenting philosophy that has come back to haunt them. Our parents were Baby Boomers. Boomers raise your hands? Wow. Look at all those watches.
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Parenting influences everything we do. We’re influenced by our parents. Should you go into college? Should you go into debt for college?
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People say millennials are entitled. We know for a fact that entitlement is a learned behavior. You complain about us; you created us.
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The second trend we study: technology. Every generation has a natural relationship with technology that is largely driven by our age. It’s invisible until we’re forced to interact with people from a different age.
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I Facetime with my daughter every day wherever I am speaking at. It’s the only way my daughter has known how to use a phone.,
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Technology is only new if you remember it as it was the way before.
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Geography: within the same generation, you’ll see differences between generations. Millennials, Gen Z are fairly consistent. Gen X, Baby Boomers very different.
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The Center for Generational Kinetics: separating truth and myths about generations. #1 generational research, consulting and speaking firm.
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Done more than 60 studies, 10 studies going on right now.
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Our mission: uncover new solutions for generational challenges facing
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Generations are not boxes. Generations start and stop based on predictability –
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Millenials (start: 1977-1981; end 1995-1996)
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Generation Z (1996-present)
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Gen X (1965-1976)
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Millenials
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Largest generation in the work force. Everyone says we’re unemployed but more are working than anyone else.
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Millennials are experiencing delayed adulthood.
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My brother was married, two kids, two SUVs. My mom was paying his car insurance. I can’t complain because she would take her gas card.
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So often we don’t adapt as leaders but we need to.
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The millennial generation is splitting in two. Half is doing everything we’re supposed to. The other part of the generation is struggling real-world traction.
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Somewhere around 30, you self-select which group.
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The group most offended by lazy millennials? Other millennials.
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Mega-llennials vs Me-lllennials
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Millennials are not tech savy. We are actually tech dependent. And it changes everything we do.
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Gen X
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Millennials listen closely: we’ll be working with them forever.
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Gen X is at an interesting life stage. They are caring for both parents and kids.
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Gen X is naturally skeptical. They love to see data. No one else wants to see the data.
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Gen X: you are the glue in the organization. You don’t like Millennials are Baby Boomers.
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No matter how much I talk about Gen X they feel like I never talk about them enough.
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Boomers
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They know geography. They can read a map that doesn’t talk.
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Boomers define work ethic in hours per week and those hours don’t work unless they can see you.
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There are no short cuts to success. They believe in policies, protocol. You must use a fax cover sheet. (What’s a fax?)
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Gen Z
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They’re going to change the world
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Gen Z: their parents are primarily Gen X or older millennials
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Gen Z is very practical with their money.
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There is a good chance that Gen Z will leapfrog some millennials.
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What can you leave here and do?
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The best thing you can do is provide specific examples of the performance you expect. Make it a photo, video. Show us what it looks like. The language varies by generation, gender, geography.
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Most leaders think linear. Step 1,2,3,4,5. Gen Z/Millennials don’t think linear.
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You have to provide quick-hit feedback. Not trophies or awards. We have those. “Hey Sarah, I saw how you were helping Jesse. Thanks!” You can do it by talking, text, just don’t leave a voice mail. My dad leaves 5 minute voicemails; it’s like a podcast.
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Every single generation on earth brings something important. And every generation can lead. And we need more leaders.
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When I turned 18, I was cut off from my family. A leader helped me and they changed the course of my life. Thank you for the lives you have changed.