Generational Work Paradigms

Do You Enjoy Work?

“Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life.” Unknown

We all have different paradigms regarding work, different values, different ways of thinking about work. In most cases, our work paradigms are linked to the thoughts and ideas we grew up with.

For example, Traditionalists, tend to look at work is a privilege. According to Pew Research this group is growing in numbers either due to boredom or financial necessity. They grew up influenced by the great depression and WWII with values like loyalty, duty and stability. Frequently this generation is called “Builders” because they are responsible for building our country’s infrastructure after World War II. The early innovators of AI are from this generation!

Baby Boomers attitude or work paradigm is live to work! Sometimes referred to as the “workaholic” generation, their view on work are a result of the influences surrounding them during the years when they were forming their worldview. It was a time of post-war prosperity and optimism. Large families and classrooms made this generation more competitive. They value hard work, recognition, and advancement based on their hard work and dedication.

The Civil Rights movement gave women more options, and more opportunities. The door opened for women to pursue careers and dreams that were impossible before. Embracing these options meant “Mom and Dad” were both off to work and kids were left on their own after school. These kids are Gen X, also frequently nicknamed “the Latchkey Kids.”

Growing up during a time of economic downturns, Watergate, and corporate downturns along with more independence at home, this generation values independence and balance for work and life. There are good reasons for their skepticism and practical approach to work. They understand that work doesn’t “love you back.” Their work paradigm tends to be work to live.

Enter the Millennial Generation (Gen Y)! Mostly raised by optimistic Baby Boomer parents with a few raised by older Gen X, most Millennials were raised by parents that were involved in every part of their life. Parents who encouraged and praised them, gave them a sense of personal purpose. They are also influenced by rapid technological growth. They tend to value collaboration, development and meaningful work, different from their parents who were more interested in paycheck. (Deloitte) Their work paradigm is often described as work with purpose. There have always been individuals who are concerned with purpose at work, Millennials were the first generation to make meaningful work a widespread, vocal expectation, rather than a personal preference.

Gen Z is also concerned about work having purpose. But perhaps flexibility is an even greater value for them. They are the first generation to grow up with a smartphone in their pocket making the internet and social media available 24/7. Content was customized for them based on their browsing history and unlike older generations who “shared screens” with others, their screens were truly their own private portals, and still are! They have come of age in the era of personalization with parents who helped tailor activities to them as individuals. So it’s no surprise that this highly creative generation’s work paradigm is work my way.

Today’s leaders come from each of these generations and the challenge is to bring all of these work paradigms together and leverage these differences for greater opportunity. In order to do this, today’s leaders must have a firm understanding and appreciation of each generation. They must be empowered with communication skills and empathy to lead effectively. And they must be humble enough to respect the perspectives of others.

Are your leaders prepared to “lead across generations?”