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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” …
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This
generation grew up when children “should be seen and not
heard.”
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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
§
Conformity
§
Faith
in institutions
§
Respect
for authority
§
Patience
§
Responsibility
before pleasure
§
Formality
§
Social
order
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Contributions
u
Consistent
u
Detail
oriented
u
Non-complaining
u
Mediators
and facilitators
u
Commitment
Cautions
u
May
not see “gray” – mostly black &
white
u
Assume
“no news is good news”
u
May
sound parental
u
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
…
u
Dictatorial.
u
Inhibited.
u
Technological
dinosaurs.
when a Gen X collides, they think
…
u
Too
set in your ways.
u
Learn
how to use voice mail.
u
You
got all the money.
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when a GenY collides, they think
…
u
Grumpy,
grumpy, grumpy.
u
Like,
how is a nose ring so different from
pierced ears? Hello
…?
u
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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