The conventional wisdom about generational differences in the workplace is mostly wrong, according to a new book by Jennifer J. Deal, a research scientist with the Center for Creative Leadership. The shorthand used to describe the four generations that now make up our nation’s workforce goes something like this:
- The Silent Generation (born before 1946) values hard work
- Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) value loyalty
- Gen Xers (born between 1965 and 1980) value work-life balance
- Generation Y (the generation just entering the workforce, also known as Millennials) values innovation and change
