A MULTIGENERATIONAL APPROACH TO
ENGAGEMENT AND RETENTION
SOME PEOPLE DWELL ON THE DIFFER-
ENCES among the three or fur geneitions i the work
pice and ee them as obstacles to producti and stent.
‘Others ignore the diferences or deny that they ae rea. saying
that weal are individual, The observed tuth Hes somewhere
inbetween, We do need orga ach perton as an india,
avold stereotyping andrea tht ntall behaviors derived
from genersinal actors.
Haing sd tht, there are observable patterns that large
peceniage of people (inthe US. and to a leser but growing
xen in her parts ofthe world) exhibit late to formative
Influences while they were growing up. Being aware ofthese
puters and stitudes is valuable when desing statis
1 tact Spt 28 | wens
and interacting 2 team members, mentor/mentees, coaches
and supervises.
cts on using knowledge of tpl generational tibet,
Aideences and simariies to boos motivation and en
‘on, In this aril, specially concentrate onthe thre en
aons—Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation ¥ (ot
illennias}—that account for most of the workplace pop
Intion tad, and wil forthe next five year (ae ox on net
‘igs sass what ach generation ilooking for work and
ee ha you eed fo ap at, assumptions to challenge why
Sd how the tpl ave frm cle acally pay guint whl
i takes to eta both Lawyers and sal, and sme satel to
‘beter meet engagereat and retention abctves,BY PHYLLIS WEISS HASEROT
auras
pore elKlod
Traditionalists:
ene
Cae
rerianeyi
Cometh?
PennPEOPLE OF ALL GENERATIONS
NEED TO CHALLENGE
THEIR ASSUMPTIONS THAT
THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT EACH
GENERATION
‘Many genrtionsatebutes ae reflected in workplace bat
for Kep these in mind when dewoping engagement and een
ton rst
by Boomers
+ ike in-person contact and establishing eationhips fest
+ Arecntnuleamersand ast ook nll
‘sion
+ Ares competitive andin the game, and mos have no
‘concept of themselves a"
+ Areal
+ Are wing to lara as they go
+ Regard ine ascurency
wan their own lec ofthe ston
Goneration ¥/Millenniats
‘+ Were ised ina tassactonl werd and thiak in those tems
thik and ve inthe moment
+ Wier edcated tsk questions and expect the opportunity
twexpest their views
WHAT ALL GENERATIONS ARE LOOKING FOR
Al ofthese generations rate the allowing factors among the
highest in their work ives according to mumerous survey
+ Meaning work
+ The opportunity to lean and grow a profesional whether
‘sa tore; paralegal nan administrative futon (ma
keting, recruiting, peofsiona development, ete) ah
ptf an attorney team
+ Tofel apprised and lene to
+ nancial compensation
+ Nonfinancal revard, sch a the time and ability to work
‘ome ofthe tne is loestions tie the fice
+ Rell fom intense ste
nation, particu for atorney wh spire
tot ata firm, thee asaya song dese
to interac wth ees and t havea ges of
contol over what work rtd to them,
Wii these ctor ar nator orl ner
tions, they may play eure For exampe
the genet tend ok to lar difereniy
(oth the eve that people dierent inten
‘gan ering ses aay ag) The oer en
erations are used atnding ad gvng le
"ures and metingin person. Generations X and
‘want nteacton, sal fom vide, cote and
fmes and unmet esc They lk o earn on thee own
‘tine om wherever hey choos tbe Gen Yrs wat lt of
ance Bea they want to do everthing ght the fs inetd
‘0 work olaboratiely Gen Xes waa heir nm pec of woe 0
Fane independent and they want path to ruaningapracce oe
cette For soother patience as ben runing ok
Gen ¥ is an impatient generation and does Bay into the
ying. your-dues-fist concept The pace of change they have
lived though negates the willingness to wa nase thee
progres, Gen Yrs are not intersted in achleing the compo.
ens of ere satisicton cited above in seri fashion. They
ant tohave achecsn on thelr progress mich more frequently
than annually even semana But the Boomers here
feaperiened Tonge time fame for leadership and prom
'ion—and think the younger genections shoul also have to
waitand achieves sere of milestones,
Also signifcant the generations have somewhat diferent pet