Training & Development
How to motivate multiple generations
in the workplace Part Two – Taking the Time to Do It
In Part 1, Trainer Frank Newberry looked how each age group in the workplace has been described in recent times, e.g. Millennials, Baby Boomers, Generation X etc. In this concluding part (2) he looks at the question of each generation’s motivation
It has been recognised across industry for decades that, if people see their pay and working conditions as being fair, money is not the main motivator for them to work hard.
They are, apparently, much more likely to be motivated by the way they are treated in the workplace. Money and perks may keep them loyal to an employer, but it does not make them work any harder.
Many people ask themselves: Am I being treated equally at work? Do I have opportunities to grow and develop? Do I feel respected at work?
Value seems to be central to motivation
Across all generations, the issue of ‘value’ also seems to be central to people’s motivation to work harder and be better at their work.
Many ask: Is the work I do of value? Do I feel valued as an individual? Is my work team valued? Do my team mates value our team (and the individuals in our team)?
If the answer to these questions about perceived value is ‘yes’ then employees will be more motivated than if the answer is ‘no’.
We need to be able to motivate all generations
We need to be able to motivate all generations (or get them on our side). Many have workplace influence now and we will need others to step up to the plate to wield positive power in the future.
It may not be that simple of course, external matters like problems at home, health issues and financial concerns can always demotivate individuals and affect their work performance for a time.
Setting external matters to one side and continuing from Part 1, let’s deal with each of the five generations that could be in your workplace, one at a time, starting with:
148 I PC APRIL/MAY 2018
1. SILENTS or Traditionalists (Born between 1925 and 1946)
Likely to be part‐timers or owners, volunteers, Board members, Committee members and some contractors.
Motivating this generation
In my experience, this generation are motivated to work well and to cooperate with others if they feel that communication is good in the organisation, if they are consulted early on and if their opinions are sought.
Phrases or questions you might try could include: ‘We could not succeed without your ideas and input’, ‘I need your advice’ and ‘I was thinking we could do this for a trial period ‐ and then make a decision?’.
“ 2. BABY BOOMERS (Born between 1946 and 1964)
Baby Boomers will be at all levels in the organisation and many are working as supervisors, managers, owners and/or Committee members.
Motivating this generation
Many Baby Boomers are workaholic to some extent. They feel they have succeeded in their lives only if they have been successful in their work. Their work achievements can define their lives.
In my experience, people in this generation are often self‐motivated but they thrive on being reminded of their work achievements and consulted about important matters ‐ particularly those situations where courage, engagement and commitment are vital to success.
Baby boomers are often self-motivated but they thrive on being reminded of their work achievements and consulted about important matters - particularly those situations where courage,
engagement and commitment are vital to success
Phrases or questions you might try could include: ‘I remember when you delivered the goods on this project’, ‘You are an example for us all to follow’ and ‘What do you think we need to consider?’.
3. GENERATION X (Born between 1965 and 1980)
Many of the people in this early to late middle age group are the senior members of work teams and a good number of them serve in management and leadership positions. There is a fairly good chance that they will be in these positions for a good few years to come.
Motivating this generation
Many Generation X people compare themselves and their achievements to those of their Baby Boomer parents and find themselves wanting through no fault of their own.
In my experience, many have developed great strengths on their journey through life and are happy and motivated when they can
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164
