Facing Generational Needs
From the Voices on Project Management Blog
by Cameron McGaughy,
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Voices on Project Management offers insights, tips, advice and personal stories from project managers in different regions and industries. The goal is to get you thinking, and spark a discussion. So, if you read something that you agree with--or even disagree with--leave a comment.
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By Conrado Morlan
“Those who criticize our generation forget who raised it.” ―Unknown
I had the opportunity to attend PMI® Leadership Institute Meeting 2016—North America in San Diego, California, USA, and met PMI chapter board members from several countries.
An ongoing conversation during that meeting centered on how to renew and refresh chapter membership and appeal to younger generations.
One of the foundations that will help PMI chapters better interact with multi-generational communities is to develop and master “generational competence,” which according to Ceridian “describe the adaptations or competencies organizations must develop today to meet the very diverse needs of four generations in the workforce and the marketplace.”
While discussing the topic with my fellow chapter board members, I found there is a common belief that generations are defined by age when in reality generations are defined by common experiences and key events.
Also much of the research around generations and generational differences has grown out of the United States and therefore is U.S.-focused.
Here are some alternatives to the typical generational buckets:
|
U.S. Generation Name
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Approximate Years of Birth
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Alternate Terminology
|
|
Matures
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1914 - 1945
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Traditionalists (USA), Silent Generation (USA), Veterans (USA),
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Baby Boomer
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1946 - 1963
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Generation Me (USA), Unlucky Generation (China), Dankai Generation (Japan)
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|
Generation X
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1964 - 1980
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MTV Generation (USA), Baby Bust Generation (USA), Génération Bof (France), Crisis Generation (Latin America), Burnt Generation (Iran), Generation Bharat (India)
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|
Generation Y
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1981 - 2001
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Millennials (USA), Generation Next (USA), Yutori Generation (Japan), Generation Pu (Russia), Born-Free Generation (South Africa)
|
|
Generation Z
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Mid 90’s or Early 2000s -
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Globals (USA), Post-Millennials (USA), iGen (USA), Digital Natives (USA), Globalized India (India)
|
Even individuals born in the same approximate marker years are defined differently by the events they have experienced. For example while the U.S. Baby Boomer generation is associated with the notion of the "American Dream,” the Unlucky Generation in China lived through three years of famine and cultural revolution.
At the same time, many of these generations are tied to stereotypes. For example, “Millennials are entitled narcissists,” “Gen Y looks for instant gratification,” “They are not capable of interacting offline,” are some of the comments I’ve heard. Stereotyping, however, fuels conflict within a multigenerational community.
What Generation Y Thinks
During the Leadership Institute Meeting, I looked for opportunities to speak with Generation Y attendees. Across the board, they felt PMI board members from older generations need to develop generational competence to bridge the gap of understanding. This competence will help them learn how to communicate, connect and engage with potential PMI members of different generations.
Membership campaigns will need to align with Generation Y values—happiness, passion, diversity, sharing and discovery, according to Patrick Spenner, a strategic initiatives leader at CEB.
PMI chapters will need to promote the profession as one that:
- Offers continuous challenges as changes in projects happen
- Enables growth in organizations and makes the work exciting
- Opens new opportunities in different industries as project management skills are highly transferable
Perhaps the most important takeaway in my discussions with Generation Y members was that they reject generational labels. Call them young professionals
As a project manager volunteering for a PMI chapter, what is the most challenging situation you have faced within a multigenerational community?
Posted
by
Conrado Morlan
on: November 16, 2016 10:10 AM |
Permalink
Comments (4)
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Thanks for writing this article.
David, you are welcome. Thanks for taking the time to read the article.
Nice alternatives to the traditional labels, thank you for sharing!
Great breakdown of generational needs.
I am yet to volunteer for a PMI chapter. I shall update this, when I have attended a meeting.
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