Lausanne World Pulse – Themed Articles – Leading and Connecting with the Next Generation by Understanding Generational Differences
June 2008
The youngest living generation, formed by the world after 1989, are known as “Generation Y” or the “Millennial generation.” This generation is exhibiting different characteristics altogether as they come of age in the twenty-first century. They have grown up quickly—too quickly, some would say. They are confident—so confident they are almost arrogant. Unlike generations who have gone before them, Millennial kids have been pampered, nurtured, and programmed with a smorgasbord of activities since they were toddlers. They are both high-performance and high-maintenance and have an over-developed sense of self-worth.
Millennials are living in an age of unprecedented diversity and exposure to other cultures, surrounded by digital media. They are goal-oriented, cautious, and idealistic students who understand the value of their education. They are sociable, optimistic, environmentally aware, collaborative, influential, and achievement-oriented.
Differences, Not Divisions
Inter-generational interactions are commonplace in all spheres of our lives, including our homes, offices, schools, and churches. Whether leading and managing younger (or older) staff; connecting to customers of all ages; recruiting, training, or trying to retain talented young employees; training or teaching people of different ages; or just trying to understand your children (or ageing parents), an understanding of the different generational worldviews is immensely helpful. Once you understand generational attitudes and behaviour, you will have a clearer picture of why other people are like they are, and why they act as they do.
Generational theory has been around for many centuries, but was popularised in its current form by Neil Howe and William Strauss.1 The theory of generations is a sociological and anthropological model. As such, it deals in generalisations, not specifics. It is in the same style as the book Men Are from Mars and Women Are from Venus—over-generalisations that are nevertheless filled with truth and provide a helpful starting point for discussions and understanding.
While generational differences have existed since the start of recorded humanity, the distinctions between them have not been as dramatic and as overt as they are now, mainly because of the slow pace of life. It was the advent of the Industrial era, with its factories and production lines, which impacted massively the pace of life. Rapid advances in technology and media, combined with changing social mores, have given each generation in the last century its own unique set of experiences and values. As our perception of time and events has begun accelerating, the concept of generational identity has become more important to describe each new generation.
Cause for Conflict
The challenge for leaders comes from a clash of the generations: a collision of values, expectations, ambitions, and attitudes. In interactions with other people, conflict and resentment can arise over a host of issues. Generational differences are often misunderstood, as younger and older people approach life in such different ways. They have different views of respect—the older generations believe in positional authority while the younger respond only to personal authority. They have different views of many issues, including seemingly innocuous subjects such as: appearance, methods of greeting, learning preferences, team dynamics, and worship styles.
In most of these issues there is a temptation to see one’s own preferences as “right,” “good,” and “normal,” and elevate one’s culture and preferred style to a normative level. Generational theory suggests we seek to see the world through the eyes of other people. We also need to recognise that every generation has something to teach the others—and every generation has something to learn, as well.
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Dr. Graeme Codrington is an author, speaker, and consultant on the issue of people strategy. He works with businesses, non-profits, and faith-based organizations, helping them to understand and connect better with their staff and customers. He can be contacted at [email protected]. |
