How one approaches interactions with those from other generations can make all the difference.
"A greater understanding of all generations will help with interactions with those from other generations," said Kathee Tifft of the Nez Perce County University of Idaho extension office Tuesday at a Lunch and Learn presentation in Moscow.
Whether generational diversity results in conflict or creativity can't always be determined when you put two people from different generations in a room together, Tifft said. When a person was born doesn't definitively define who they are or how they'll act.
But there's no denying it makes a difference.
All generations have a tendency to stand out in certain ways, through things like vocabulary, clothing and values, and have been influenced by different events, such as war, economic trends or societal movements.
"Sometimes it's important to remember that some people think differently than the way we do," Tifft said.
In an exercise designed to help people get into the headspace of someone from a "different world," Tifft had the group, gathered in the conference room of Moscow's Federal Building, divide up and tackle themes that may have resonated with each of the four generations in our society: matures, ages 69 to 105; baby boomers, ages 50 to 68; Generation X, ages 36 to 49; and the Millennials, ages 19 to 35.
People identified the Great Depression, World War II, advancements in transportation and old-fashioned values for the matures. For the boomers it was Vietnam, the space race, the Cold War, social revolution and rock and roll. Generation X was identified as the "me" generation, with a predilection for living outside their means, and being heavily influenced by their peers and MTV. Millennials were noted for the inundation of computers, cellphones, social media and having both a "carpe diem" attitude and dedication to things like organic foods and being environmentally friendly.
Tifft said research shows many of those notions have a basis in reality.
Matures are noted for their tendency to follow the rules, traditional values, an understanding of dedication and sacrifice.
"When our country went to war, we went to war. We made changes in our lives. Whatever the soldiers needed, we worked toward that," she said.
In a workplace or when interacting with a member of the mature generation in the community, she said it's best to know the "by-laws," since they tend to be rule-followers. When acknowledging their experience, it's best to do it in more subtle ways with traditional gestures, with hand-written notes or a plaque for years of service.
For the baby boomers, who coined the term "workaholic," they tend to be opportunistic, consumer-oriented, competitive and hard workers who like to get their work done fast.
Boomers tend to work well in teams, Tifft said, noting they were the first generation to get a grade in school on how well they worked with others, and enjoy being publicly acknowledged for their work and successes.
The X generation was the first where they were likely raised in a dual-income family, which has translated to something of an independent attitude. They were also heavily influenced by technology, have a tendency toward questioning leadership and are used to lots of ups and downs in the economy.
As a result, Tifft said research shows they tend to be self-reliant, techno-literate, pragmatic and skeptical, but also family centered.
"If you want to reward a Gen X, give them time off to spend with their families," Tifft said, adding they prefer practical acknowledgements for their work.
They work better when they have access to current technologies, and want both clear, specific directions, but a hands-off management approach, and should be remembered for a bias for the informal, as the generation that invented Casual Friday.
Millennials are digital natives. They feel empowered, are independent entrepreneurs, civic-minded and thoughtful of global concerns and higher causes.
Their heroes tend to be closer to home, she said, looking to role-models for meaning in what they're doing, and desire frequent and meaningful feedback on their work.
Keeping these concepts in mind can help smooth interactions between members of different generations, Tifft said, as long as it's remembered there's no cookie-cutter for people from any era.
The next Lunch and Learn, the last for the semester, will address identity theft next Tuesday in the Federal Building's Conference Room on the second floor.
Bill McKee can be reached at (208) 883-4627, or by email to [email protected].