Every person you meet is grouped into a generation based on the year they were born. Some are Baby Boomers, and others may be Gen Z. Every generation has traits shaped by who their parents are, their experiences, and how society is during their life growing up. Each generation has different characteristics, and it’s interesting to see the difference between generations.

Traditionalists were born from 1927 to 1945. They were raised during the Great Depression, and WWII. They are hard workers with high respect for authority. Traditionalists are dependable, straightforward, tactful, and loyal.

Baby Boomers were born from 1946-1964. They were raised during the Vietnam War, and the Civil Rights movement. They hold high-ranking careers within their organization. They are optimistic, competitive, workaholic, and team-oriented. Baby boomers value relationships since they didn’t grow up with the technology we have today. This generation is the best for teamwork, and they make the best mentors out of all the other generations.

Generation X was born from 1965-1980. They were raised during the AIDs epidemic, and the fall of the Berlin wall. They value family time, and work-life balance. They are also hardworking, and see the benefits of diversity, flexible schedules, and relaxed work requirements. They are flexible, informal, skeptical, and independent. They were the first generation to have been in daycare when they grew up because they had two working parents. They are considered to be the best workers, and they also make the most revenue out of any other generation.

Millennials were born from 1981-1995. They were raised during Columbine, and 9/11. They prefer working at home, and have mostly tech savvy jobs. They are mostly independent, and are concerned with the ethics, and social responsibility of the business they work for. This generation is confident, but also the most depressed, and lonely generation. They feel extreme pressure to be successful, and that has created a lot of problems for this generation. They are competitive, civic and open-minded, and achievement oriented. The Millennials also do not have a strong work ethic because this generation averages 38.8 hours a week compared to the generations before them who averaged 40 hours a week.

Generation Z was born from 1996-2010. They were raised during life after 9/11, the Great Recession, and the Covid pandemic. They are the most racially and ethnically diverse generation. They value flexibility, personal freedom, and diversity. They are the most entrepreneurial generation, and according to getsmarter.com, “72 percent wanting to start their own business…” They are the best multitaskers, and are the fastest generation to pick up new skills. They are also very realistic. This generation is global, entrepreneurial, and progressive.

Sources:

https://www.getsmarter.com/blog/career-advice/know-your-generationals/

https://www.getapp.com/resources/characteristics-of-different-generations-in-the-workplace/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-truisms-wellness/201602/baby-boomers-generation-z

https://www.retaildive.com/news/from-traditionalists-to-gen-z-managing-a-multigenerational-retail-workforc/561703/

https://www.purdueglobal.edu/education-partnerships/generational-workforce-differences-infographic/