The Great Crew Change: The Perfect Storm of Opportunity

It is being called a talent gap, “The Great Crew Change,” or shifting demographics. What you really have is “A Perfect Storm of Opportunity.” In these uncertain times, what you have done in the past will no longer work. This perfect storm of opportunity demands leaders who are motivated to help make connections and mobilize their businesses to move with speed, seizing new growth prospects and maximizing your multigenerational workforce. For every person who wants to leverage a diverse workforce to increase engagement, motivation, innovation and high performance, get to do members of the two generations largely represented in leadership today – the Traditionalists and the Baby Boomers. To know them is to love them.

Whether you are the Traditionalist or Baby Boomer leader or you are a Generation X or Millennial who manages them, they comprise the group aged 51 and over. Together, they lead most big businesses in America and together have struggled to unravel the challenges of working with and leading the age 50 and under generations – Generation X and the Millennials.

Who are the Traditionalists?

Stabilizing Traditionalists, born before 1946, were most influenced by the Great Depression and World War II. Think of “The Greatest Generation” who came of age before or during World War II whose core needs are for group membership, responsibility, and you have described the Traditionalists. They had a childhood of struggle having lived through two World Wars and the Great Depression. They trust hierarchy and authority and may be surprised when others go against these social structures.

Traditionalists appreciate and exhibit Command and Control Leadership. Roughly 50% of men of the Traditionalist generation are war veterans, warmly called the G.I. Generation. Their military experience taught them that a top down approach was most efficient. Leadership and management in most organizations today are modeled on the military style.

Bottom line best advice for working with or for Traditionalists … be punctual and arrive on time ready to work. Be honest and speak with personal integrity. Be willing to stay later to get a job done. It demonstrates your pride in the final product. Ask Traditionalists for advice – their maturity comes from years of life and work experiences. Monitor your communication skills and ask for their help to understand workplace politics and know how to diplomatically convey your ideas so they are heard. And, from a literacy standpoint, take the time to type full words and use a spellchecker. BTW (by the way) … the appropriate response to “Thank you” is “You’re welcome.” Avoid using the phrase, “No problem.”

Who are the Baby Boomers?

10,000 Baby Boomers a day turn 65, every single day between now and 2030. The 78 million Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964 grew up in a prosperous and competitive “you can do anything” era. Those who once pronounced “Don’t trust anyone over 30” are now in their 50’s and 60’s. They were the first “workaholics,” not because it was the right thing to do, but because it was necessary to advance up the ladder. Boomers paid their dues under the old hierarchical rules and are now redefining themselves in light of global initiatives and business restructuring.

Baby Boomers appreciate and exhibit Consensus Leadership to ensure that everyone has a voice. they questioned “the establishment” and discovered the power of large committed groups of people to positively impact causes such as Civil Rights, women’s rights, voting acts, and marches on Washington,
etc… They feel they have “paid their dues” and want to see the generations following them step up and “put some skin in the game.”

Bottom line best advice when working with or for Baby Boomers … put a priority on a business atmosphere when at work. Meet face to face to discuss business results as appropriate and when possible. Honor their years of experience and learn how to value their competencies – just ask them. Provide excellent customer service and follow-up, i.e., return phone calls/messages right away (even if you don’t have an answer yet).