Why Generations Think Differently

By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, FAAN

“Each generation is as independent as the one preceding it, as that was true of all which had gone before”. Thomas Jefferson

There was a very popular song recorded by the band Buffalo Springfield in the 1960s that began with the lyrics, “There’s something happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear.” I am finding that many senior nurse leaders today share that sentiment about changes that they see in new nursing staff coming into the workforce. They feel challenged because some of the leadership strategies that have served them well in their careers are not working with our newest generation of nurses – Generation Y. Yet these differences in the way different generations think about their work, and ways they view the world are not new. Thomas Jefferson once predicted that the United States would need a new constitution every 19 years to accomodate the differences in needs and thinking of new generations. Nothing should be unchangeable, he said, except the inherent and unalienable rights of man.

Thomas Jefferson made these comments without knowing anything about generational theory. It is interesting that generational cohorts are designated by the year of their birth with time spans between 17 and 22 years, remarkably close to the 19 years described by Jefferson. Generational theorists propose that generational cohorts are deeply influenced in their thinking by events, experiences and technology that are part of their world during their formative years.

Defining Events

People who are born during a certain era share common experiences growing up. Their values and attitudes about work-related topics and life in general tend to be similar. A partial explanation of why this occurs is the shared experiences or defining moments that capture the attention and emotions of generational cohorts during their formative years. Baby boomers were influenced in their thinking by the Vietnam war and the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. Generation X saw the fall of the Berlin wall, massive corporate downsizing and the first Iraq war – Operation Desert Storm. Generation Y has been very influenced by their experiences with the potential for violence in their schools, the attack on the world trade center and the globalization of the world’s economy.

Cultural Trends and Heroes

Cultural trends and heroes also influence the thinking of different generational groups. The baby boomers admired Ghandi, Martin Luther King and JFK. They grew up relatively sheltered during the peaceful 1950s when few of their parents were divorced and economic times were good. Many boomers have not saved enough for their retirements and are working longer, because they did not experience a need to sacrifice during their formative years.

Within one generation, things changed radically. Generation X was the first generation to experience a high divorce rate in their families. There were few daycare options and many Generation X children were forced to become independent at a very early age, as both parents worked. Generation X also watched their parents experience the effects of corporate reorganization and downsizing. This changed their ideas about loyalty to organizations and how they spend and save money. Interestingly in studying Generation X, researchers have found that many said they had no heroes.

Generation Y grew up far more sheltered than Generation X. They were the children of the Baby Boomers and maintain close relationships with their parents. This is the first true digitial and global generation and embraced cultural diversity as a value. During their school years, volunteer activities were expected and Generation Y is civic minded as an outcome of these experiences. They were also the first generation who were educated to become concerned about the sustainability of our environment. Uncertainity in the workplace has always been part of what they observed with their parents, so they have come to expect that frequent career changes may be the norm in their lives. Generation Y has heroes such as Mother Theresa, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.

Technology

Technology has played a key role in influencing the thinking of generational cohorts. It is difficult to believe today but most Baby Boomers did not have television as part of their very early lives. Once introduced, television played a significant role in influencing the thinking of Baby Boomers. Even through their college years, Baby Boomer did not have either computers or cellphones. Communication was primarily through land phone lines and letters. This changed for Generation X as families began to buy computers in the 1990s and the internet became more widely available. Generation Y is the first true digital generation that has grown up with technology as an integral part of their lives. Patterns in communication shifted to email and texting. Many Generation Y members have had personal cell phones from a young age and their smart phones are integral to how they learn, communicate and socialize. It is somewhat understandable how it difficult it might be for Generation Y nurses to leave these smart phones in their lockers to comply with hospital policies.

Looking Toward the Future

In a few years, we will have another generation in our work settings. Known as generation Z, they are still forming their attitudes, values and beliefs. Like Generation Y, they too are growing up digital. At this point in their development, a recent Pew Foundation study found that their preferred method of communication with their friends and families is text messaging. One in three of this generational cohort sends more than 100 text messages each day. Looking ahead, it is likely that this generation may drive a shift in how communication occurs in healthcare settings. This may take many nurse leaders outside their comfort zones but change will be inevitable. With their different attitudes, values and preferred communication, generation Z will also undoubtedly bring great strengths to the teams they join. Generations do think differently and this diversity is good. Disruptive innovation is badly needed in health care. This will only come with leaders who can embrace different thinking about long established practices.Gloria Steinem observed that across generations “there is as much to learn as there is to teach”. This is sage advice for all nurse leaders to take into the future.

Read to Lead

Pew Foundation. (April 2010). Teens and mobile phones. Click Here for the Study

Sherman, R. (May 31, 2006). Leading a multigenerational workforce:Issues, challenges and strategies. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 11 (2), Manuscript 2. Click Here for the Article.