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Silent Generation born mid-1920s to mid-1940s
Silents (also known as
"Veterans") are about 95% retired at this point. In a few short years virtually no Silents will
command an industry, a battlefield, anything at all. They will have mostly gone well into the
shadows.
In the
meantime, contrary to the popular belief that they have reached a career plateau, many Silents are still very
interested in their futures and in trying new things at work. They want to know that their employers value
their work and that they are making a financial contribution. Let them know how their contributions drive
profitability and impact the bottom line.
The
Silent Generation built its success on hard work, discipline and postponement of material rewards. “Giving
back” and contributing to the collective good is an emblem of this generation. Three motivational tips for
recruiting and retaining Silents:
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Verbally and
publicly acknowledge their experience.
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Provide proactive
technology support services if they aren’t techno-savvy.
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Use due process
and explain the reasoning behind decisions.
At work,
the Silent Generation is looking for fair play—and when they find it they are highly loyal to the company and
will gladly work within the system. For the majority, their word is their bond and they expect others to
behave responsibly and to meet commitments, whether or not they’re the bosses.
Three
theories about the origin of the label “Silent Generation” …
- This generation
grew up when children “should be seen and not heard.”
- The assault on America‘s
political liberty by the House Committee on Un-American Activities in tandem with Senator Joseph McCarthy’s
inquisitions scared the heck out of them. McCarthy whipped up anti-communist sentiment to such a degree
that it was dangerous to express an opinion anywhere, about anything. People were going to jail for
beliefs and affiliations held 20 or 30 years earlier. Free speech was all but dead. People
became apolitical. Safe. Silent.
- The name
Silent Generation was coined in a 1951 cover story in Time Magazine to refer to the
generation coming of age at the time. The phrase became even more fashionable after author William
Manchester's comment that the members of this generation were "withdrawn, cautious, unimaginative,
indifferent, unadventurous and silent."
4 million
Canadians over the age of 65 constitute 13% of the population, and 1 million of them, or 3%, are over age
80.
No
generation has been so misunderstood and underestimated. This generation brought us civil rights, an
unparalleled national wealth in the arts and commerce, and unimaginable advances in science and
technology.
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Some Characteristics
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At Work
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Trust
§
Privacy
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Conformity
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Faith in institutions
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Respect for authority
§
Patience
§
Responsibility before
pleasure
§
Formality
§
Social order
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Contributions
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Consistent
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Detail oriented
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Non-complaining
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Mediators and facilitators
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Commitment
Cautions
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May not see “gray” – mostly black
& white
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Assume “no news is good
news”
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May sound parental
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Often complacent when they
disagree
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Misconceptions About Silents
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Media Myths:
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Reality:
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More accidents and
illness.
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Actually have fewer
on-the-job accidents. Insurance claims are no
different than for all workers.
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Can’t learn
technology.
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Motivated students when
training is done right (respectfully, with low stress).
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Don’t want to
work.
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Many prefer to be working
past retirement, at least part time; job changing still carries a stigma for
them.
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Not as productive as younger
workers.
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Surveys continue to report
that older workers are every bit as productive as younger ones.
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Not as smart as younger
workers
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Psychologists find that
intelligence remains constant until at least age 70.
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when a Boomer collides, they think …
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Dictatorial.
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Inhibited.
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Technological dinosaurs.
when a Gen X collides, they think …
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Too set in your ways.
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Learn how to use voice
mail.
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You got all the money.
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when a GenY collides, they think …
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Grumpy, grumpy, grumpy.
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Like, how is a nose ring so different from
pierced ears? Hello …?
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Learn how to use email.
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Generation
Y
Generation
X
Baby Boomer
Generation
The Silent or Veteran
Generation
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