Different generations shape one another, influencing the general characteristics of the work ethic each acquires. There are some major characteristics and stereotypes, and you may find yourself in some of them.
Dr. Kyle Elliot, a career coach says, “It’s important to note that each employee will have their own way of working. Some individuals will deeply align with their generational stereotypes, while others won’t. Work ethics and values are deeply personal.” In addition, he states that it is not just shaped by your generation but one’s own experiences.
Alexandria Agresta, CEO Leadership Development expert & TedX speaker has worked with multiple generations in the workforce. She speaks on all generational individuals working together in harmony within society. She has built and led teams and within those teams, she has experienced different generational work ethics. “Each generation builds off of one another, and the importance of potential is to realize that age is just a number and that we are all human, and we all want to become the best version of ourselves through our work,” Agresta says.
Agresta talks about how she believes she embodies a millennial, and what they are looking for in the workplace: autonomy, flexibility, and freedom. An example is how she worked remotely in her career even before the pandemic. She values self growth because she wants to represent the best version of herself. She defines herself as devoted, determined, and hardworking.
In a nutshell, baby boomers value hard work, loyalty, consistency, certainty, and a set structure. They are dedicated individuals, who will explore various options in order to find a career. Whereas millennials and Generation Z value flexibility, freedom, and a variety of different work responsibilities instead of having one set job. Generation X, the children of the baby boomers, like to have some relation to consistency and loyalty. With that said, Generation X has begun to change society’s workforce. For example, this generation questions society and the opportunities that are out there. Baby boomers and Generation X enjoy, while Generation Z values creativity, and problem solving.
The new generations, millennials and Generation Z, were introduced to the internet both at different stages of their life, but overall have impacted individuals to interact with one another in society very uniquely. Millennials were the ones that paved the way into a digital world. But it is because of the boomers that generations have stability and consistency.
Generation Z teaches other generations that there are an infinite amount of ways to step into one’s creative potential. Agresta says, “The world is not just for productivity, but it is meant for creativity too. The one unifying factor of all generations is potential.”
According to Agresta, she believes that Generation Z is the most different from the rest because these individuals look at making money much more easily and attainable. This means that Generation Z finds ways to make money where they don’t have to work as hard because there are many different avenues that allow individuals to make an income.
According to Generation Alpha: Statistics, Data and Trends, Generation Alpha continues to emphasize education like previous eras. This generation emphasizes on implementing technology into educational environments. Statistically, 84% of American students are accessing technology. More specifically, 60% of students are given school devices, and a small percentage have their own personal device!
According to Purdue Global, generational work ethics differ because of different circumstances that occur within the generation. In addition, there are many different work perspectives within each generation. The global workforce to be made up of millennials is 30% by 2025, and 67% of Generation Z individuals want to work at companies where they can enhance their skills and careers.
Overall, different generations shape one another because of their existence of building off of one another. With the emphasis throughout the article of how there are themes within each generation, these characteristics do not always apply to each individual. In other words, each individual has their own unique way of finding employment, and works a different way. Elliot and Agresta both have their own perspective of generational work ethics. However, both of them agree that each generation has their own potential. The values that each individual shares help to contribute to the kind of society and community that is formed.
