No generation has been so misunderstood and underestimated. This generation brought us civil rights, unprecedented national wealth in the arts and commerce, and unimaginable advances in science and technology! “Silents” are 95% retired at the moment. In a few years, virtually no “Silent” will command an industry, a battlefield, nothing at all. For the most part they will have done well in the shadows. The Silent Generation aka “Veterans” (mid 1920s – mid 1940s) The Silents are 95% retired at this time. In a few years, virtually no “Silent” will command an industry, a battlefield, nothing at all. For the most part they will have done well in the shadows. No generation has been so misunderstood and underestimated. This generation brought us civil rights, unparalleled national wealth in the arts and commerce, and unimaginable advances in science and technology.
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 Un-American Activities Committee coupled with the inquisitions by Senator Joseph McCarthy scared the hell out of them. McCarthy stoked anti-communist sentiment to such an extent that it was dangerous to express an opinion anywhere, about anything. People were going to jail for beliefs and affiliations that they had 20 or 30 years before. Freedom of expression was almost dead. People became apolitical. Sure. 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The phrase became even more fashionable after author William Manchester’s comment that members of this generation were “withdrawn, cautious, unimaginative, indifferent, unadventurous, and silent.”
4 million Canadians over the age of 65 make up 13% of the population, and 1 million of them, or 3%, are over the age of 80.
SOME FEATURES OF Silents AT WORK
attitudes
-
Trust
-
Privacy
-
Compliance
-
faith in institutions
-
respect for authority
-
Patience
-
Responsibility before pleasure
-
formality
-
Social order
Presentations
-
Consist
-
detail oriented
-
without complaining
-
Mediators and facilitators
-
Commitment
Guarantee
-
You may not see “gray”, mostly black and white
-
Assume “no news is good news”
-
It may sound fatherly
-
Often accommodating when they disagree.
SOME MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT Silents:
Media myth: More accidents and illnesses. Reality: In fact, they have fewer accidents at work. Insurance claims are no different than for all workers.
Media myth: I can’t learn technology. Reality: Silents are motivated students when the training is done well (with respect, with little stress).
Media myth: I do not want to work. Reality: Many prefer to work after retirement, at least part-time; changing jobs still carries a stigma for them.
Media myth: Not as productive as younger workers. Reality: Surveys continue to report that older workers are just as productive as younger ones.
Media myth: Not as smart as the younger workers. Reality: Psychologists find that intelligence remains constant until at least age 70.
SOME RESULTS OF COLLISIONS BETWEEN Baby Boomers AND OTHER GENERATIONAL GROUPS
when a Boomer (mid 1940s to mid 1960s) crashes, they think…
-
Dictatorial.
-
inhibited
-
Technological dinosaurs.
when a GenX (mid 1060s to late 1970s) crashes, they think…
-
Too set in your ways.
-
Learn how to use voicemail.
-
You have all the money.
when a GenY (from 1980 to 2000) crashes, they think…
-
Grumpy, grumpy, grumpy.
-
For example, how is a nose ring different from pierced ears? Hello… ?
-
Learn to use email. We are all individuals.
There are countless ways we differ in background, personality, values, preferences, and style. Making judgments about these differences (ie who is better), is illogical and meaningless. However, exploring generational diversity can help explain, and bridge, the sometimes perplexing differences behind our unspoken assumptions and conflicting attitudes.
Bail: Be careful not to reinforce negative stereotypes. Generational differences are a beginnot a end to understanding