This article is for people who do not know the difference between millennials, baby boomers, and traditionalists. Millennials were born from 1980 to 1995, while baby boomers from 1946 to 1964 and traditionalists were born from 1922 to 1945. Because of their generational gaps and upbringing, these three generations vary significantly in their attitude towards work. Some of them work for a living, and some of them work and earn to enjoy and spend. Here is a comprehensive guide that covers how each of these three generations differs from the other.
Millennial
Millennial is the second most recent generation to enter the workforce, the first being Generation Y. For millennials, work is a means of fulfillment; as they are adventurous and lively, they tend to earn to spend it.
As they are the most recent generation compared to previous generations, they are more likely to adopt the new technology quickly because they were born when the technology had become a part of life. According to one study, most millennials search for jobs through the internet and social media platforms designed for the purpose.
These people are more casual in their workplaces and do not prefer authoritarian leadership; hence, they are more likely to question authority. They are more productive than traditionalists and have more creative minds than people of the same age as a baby boomer and traditionalists.
They tend to change their jobs twice as much as their counterparts in previous generations. It is believed that millennials are less loyal to their employers than were the previous generation.
Millennials are typically motivated by training, positive feedback, growth, and monetary incentives. Millennials often prefer workplaces that can adapt to modern technology faster. They enjoy flexible/ adjustable timings and want to work in a place where they can experience/ embrace cultural diversity. If organizations want to retain them, they need to provide proper training, adapt to recent technology, and give frequent feedback. For a millennial, getting feedback is very important to keep them interested. For managing millennials, the organization should accept their values, which baby boomers often dislike. A company can provide training to render positive work attributes among millennials; they will not disappoint because they adapt faster and are flexible toward change.
Baby Boomer
Baby boomers consider work as an adventure. These people are a lot more productive.
They are also very eager to have and can handle responsibilities as well. A person does not have to monitor and keep an eye on them, yet they still produce excellent results. Whatever a person expects from them as an employer, they will fulfill your expectations.
Baby Boomers are very goal-oriented. That is why they are highly motivated by their proper career growth. In the current workforce, they are higher in number than traditionalists and lower in number than millennials. Baby Boomers mostly hold executive-level positions in larger firms and have a specific authority. They are also motivated by benefits and perks provided at the workplace and other extra facilities. Monetary and non-monetary rewards can also be a source of motivation. They prefer face-to-face communication, unlike millennials, who prefer technology in workplaces.
The Traditionalists
They are the most loyal of all generations. These people were born from 1928 to 1945. They believe in honest earning and would do everything possible to achieve it. These people are the most trustworthy. Traditionalists make up a minimal number in the workforce, which is only 3%. Traditionalists take work as an obligation that needs to happen whatsoever. They follow the rules strictly and want others to do the same, so they prefer a formal mode of communication. They have an authoritarian style of leadership.
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