COVID-19 vs. The Generations
Our four generations at work (not really but I thought it was funny)
We are at a very unique time in work history. Right now, there are four generations that make up the workforce. We have Boomers (born 1946-64) who are approaching retirement age; Gen X (1965-80) who are well established in the workforce; Millennials (1981-96) who have the most people in the workforce; and Gen Z (1997-2012) who are the newest to the workforce. Each generation has a very different view of work. With the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, each generation responds in a very unique way. Let’s take a brief look at each one and explore why they view work the way they do.
(Please note: these are generalizations and I recognize that not every person in each generation responds the same way, also I’m not looking to shame any generation so I do apologize in advance if it comes off that way.)
Boomers: I need to get back to work
The Boomer generation is known for their strong work ethic and determination. They are about working hard and doing what needs to be done. When the COVID-19 crisis came, they just wanted to get back to work. They are competitive by nature and want to make sure what they spent years building did not fall because of the virus. Also, Boomers have a harder time adjusting to new technology. Quarantines and stay-at-home orders challenge the way they know how to do work. Especially now, they’re ready to get back to work despite the consequences.
Gen X: I’m not sure if it’s safe to go back; I’m not sure if we should have stopped
Gen Xers are a bit more on the skeptical side when it comes to many aspects of life. When it comes to the coronavirus, they are in general questioning whether their leadership is doing the right thing. From what I’ve seen, they have fallen into two camps. One camp is that they feel like they should not go back yet. They feel that it’s too quick to come back and we should keep waiting it out. The other camp questions why we stopped in the first place, seeing less of a threat when it comes to the virus. Either way, they are skeptical about whether these measures are good enough for our current state.
Millennials: I don’t want to go back until it’s safe.
Millennials put a strong emphasis on workplace safety. With the onset of this COVID-19 crisis, millennials only want to go back if it’s safe to do so. They would rather wait this crisis out than go back to an unsafe environment, despite the potential long term consequences. With their comfort surrounding technology, Millennials have adjusted easier to a remote learning environment. seeking to make sure everything is good before resuming normal operations. When this change happens, expect Millennials to have higher anxiety as they look to stay safe.
Gen Z: I could ride this quarantine out
Gen Zers have been the most comfortable with the adjusted work environment. Many of them who have been telling their older generations about the importance of technology are excited to see many organizations take a huge step forward. Getting their favorite restaurant on DoorDash or watching church on Instagram live is something they have been looking forward to for a while. Since Gen Z is very adept with technology, the change is actually better for them. They prefer to take the easier route with work so this works perfectly. Plus it could be a good time to try and go viral on TikTok and not have to work at all.
Why is this important?
At nonprofits and churches, you deal with at least three or all four of these generations regularly. In our small operation of five people, we have three generations represented in the staff alone (all but Gen X). Between our volunteers, students, and board, we see all four generations. Churches have all four of these generations plus older and younger generations in their congregations. If we are going to be effective leaders in churches and nonprofits, we must keep in mind the following.
Not every generation views work like you do. When I see how people go about work, each generation has strengths and challenges in how they view work. Each generation has had major events that shaped their worldview. Recognize that just because you see work a certain way doesn't mean that everyone else does. With a huge range of generations in the workforce now, the way Boomers view work will be tremendously different from the way Gen Zers view work. Once we realize this truth, we can work towards the second point.
Give grace to others for their view on COVID-19. Too often we judge other generations on how they value work. We expect others to see things the way that we see it. However, we should look to the example of Jesus and give people more grace with how they are dealing with COVID-19. Jesus met people where they were at and then started the conversation from there. Let’s give grace to those who view COVID-19 more seriously than we do. Let’s recognize that some will not take it as seriously. Either way, unless we start the conversation with grace, it will only end in judgment.
If we want to mobilize our staff, congregation, and clients, we must speak their language. If you were to go to a foreign country that does not speak your native language, you would need to either learn the language or have an interpreter with you. If you want to reach generations outside of your own, you need to make sure you are speaking the language of that generation. Younger generations prefer email and texting. Older generations prefer face-to-face and phone calls. Make sure when you are communicating with each generation that you are speaking in their language. They will be much more open when you speak to things that are important to them.
If this topic appeals to you, check out our resources where we do into greater depth regarding each generation’s background and work mindset. In order to receive this resource, make sure you join the support team in CLE. Click here to join the team and subscribe to our resources. Thank you and God bless.
What do you think about each generation? Give us your feedback!