Motivating the "What's in It for Me?" Workforce

For the Baby Boomer manager, dealing with the younger, techno-savvy generations that are filing into the workplace can be a frustrating experience. They are not driven by the same factors that pushed their generation, or the generations before them. These younger workers, which now make up about 50%

of the nation's employees--a percentage that will only grow larger--place a greater importance on free time and often have a strong sense of self-entitlement. Money is valuable to them, but not as much as their identity outside the office, and there is little interest in "paying their dues"--they want it all now.

In his book, Motivating the "What's In It For Me?" Workforce: Managing Across the Generational Divide, author Cam Marston, sums up the youth entering today's workplace by writing, "Remember 'Baby on Board?' From the rear windows of minivans, station wagons and SUVs hung the yellow-orange placard that called out to anyone nearby, 'Precious cargo! Be careful! Stay away!' Today, those babies are entering the workplace."

According to Marston, members of Generation X and the New Millennials were often pampered by parents who wanted to be friends more than authority figures and are seen as being less-driven, apathetic and less willing to put in longer hours at the office than the Baby Boomers that now make up a majority of the higher rungs of the corporate ladder. The members of these younger groups have different definitions of success, are more interested in self-fulfillment and believe that a strong work ethic is no longer mandated by a 10-hour workday. The Gen X-ers and Millennials also don't place stock in company loyalty after watching their parents suffer through lay-offs and "rightsizing" despite long hours and family time forfeited. They often switch from job to job. Dissatisfaction with their boss has become the number one reason they quit. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average mid-twenties employee leaves his or her job every 1.3 years!

There is a clash of ideals brewing in the modern workplace: on one side is the Baby Boomers who are in charge, experienced, averaging more than 50 hours per work week and used to getting things done their way; on the other is the Gen X-ers and Millennials who have grown up in an era of relative wealth, possess superior technical skills, are hard-working, but have different strategies for life and little regard for becoming part of the establishment.

Marston, a Gen X-er himself, threads together perspectives into the generations with interviews from professionals of a variety of ages, and tries to break down popular stereotypes. He admits that there is no way for younger generations to avoid being compared to the accomplishments of the Baby Boomers and Matures, but provides some proactive solutions for both sides of the aisle to communicate, cooperate and be successful.

Motivating the "What's In It For Me?" Workforce provides useful insights, not only to the Boomer and Mature executive into the motivations of his/her younger counterparts, but to the Gen X and Millennial working their way up to understand how the more established generations perceive them, perceive what is important and what is expected in the workplace.

Super Session is on Tuesday, May 20 from 9:00-10:30am

Receive a complimentary copy of Marston's book by visiting Experian's booth in the Expo hall following the Super Session (while supplies last). Special thanks to Experian for their generous sponsorship of Marston's presentation.