Meagan Johnson - Generational Speaker

Solve Your Challenges and Bridge the Gap between Generations at Your Multigenerational Workforce

Baby Boomers

Baby Boomers Recognition Day: From Woodstock to the Olympics

As the Olympics come to an epic conclusion and we await the extremely impressive Paralympics (August 28th – September 8th), we want to bring awareness to Baby Boomers Recognition Day! Can you guess why Baby Boomers Recognition Day is observed on August 16th?

If you had any inclination around Woodstock, you are correct!

Baby Boomers Recognition Day is a cultural reference to Woodstock that took place back on August 15th – 18th, 1969. Let’s take the time together to recognize the generation that brought us peace signs, disco balls, and the enduring wisdom that age is just a number. And speaking of age being just a number, shout out to every Boomer who keeps proving that you’re never too old to chase your dreams – even Olympic dreams! 

The ‘Boom’ That Echoed Through the Decade

Let’s rewind the clock to the aftermath of World War II… Soldiers returned home, hope filled the air, and families grew… 76 million babies later! Born between 1946 and 1964, this generation quite literally boomed onto the scene. They grew up in a world of hula hoops, drive-in movies, and the electrifying birth of rock ‘n’ roll. Here are some defining moments for baby boomers: 

  1. 1960s Cultural Revolution: From Woodstock to the Summer of Love, Boomers drove social change
  2. Civil Rights Movement: Many Boomers were active participants in the fight for racial equality
  3. Space Race: Boomers witnessed the first manned space missions and moon landing
  4. Vietnam War: This conflict deeply impacted the Boomer generation, both those who served and those who protested
  5. Technological Advancements: From the first personal computers to the internet, Boomers adapted to rapid technological change

These defining moments can also be seen as generational signposts that molded Boomers into the resilient, driven, and sometimes even rebellious individuals they are. In Gen-Expert Meagan Johnson’s “Zap the Generational Gap” presentation, Meagan shares more information about generational signposts and how they follow us into the workforce. 

Boomer Traits: More Than Just Rock n Roll 

So, what defines a Boomer?

  • Work ethic: Often labeled “workaholics,” Boomers value hard work, dedication, and pride themselves in their work. 
  • Idealism: This is the generation that fought for civil rights, women’s liberation, and environmental protection. They dreamed big and weren’t afraid to challenge the status quo.
  • Loyalty: Boomers cherish long-term relationships and commitments, whether it’s to a spouse, a company, or their beloved four-legged companions.

Of course, we can’t talk about Boomers without addressing a few common stereotypes:

Baby Boomers Recognition

The Power of Recognition: It’s Not Just for Boomers

Baby Boomers Recognition Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate this trailblazing generation, both at home and in the workforce. But it’s also a reminder that recognition is a universal human need, regardless of age or generation. 

Recognition isn’t just about trophies and awards. It’s about feeling seen, heard, and valued. It’s about knowing that our contributions matter and that our presence makes a difference. And when we feel recognized, we’re more likely to be engaged, motivated, and productive. So, let’s make every day a recognition day, and let’s keep “Zapping the Generational Gap” with appreciation and respect! 

P.S. – The oldest athlete to compete in the 2024 Olympics was Baby Boomer Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo of Spain, who is 65. Amazing! And he wasn’t the only Baby Boomer competing! 🏇🏼🤩👏🏻 

National Parents’ Day: Gratitude for All Moms & Dads

From CEOs to cashiers, doctors to delivery drivers, teachers to tech entrepreneurs, an estimated 150 million Americans share one common job: being a parent. 

We’re all aware about Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. But did you know about Parent’s Day? Parent’s Day is nationally observed every year on the fourth Sunday in July! This year, Parent’s Day falls on July 28th. 

National Parents' Day

The first National Parents Day was celebrated on July 28th, 1995. Nearly 30 laters later, so much of our world has evolved. With that being said, it’s important to pause and consider that parenting styles are not static and continue to evolve. Like generations, parenting styles are influenced by historical events, changing values, societal norms, technological advancements, and so much more. Let’s take a look at some of those influences and how they’ve shaped our parenting styles… 

The Greatest Generation

The Greatest Generation (Born between 1900 and 1925)  Aka “G.I. Generation, the WWII Generation” 

Major Life Events:

Parenting Style: 

  • A strong emphasis on discipline, obedience, and traditional values. Because of the economic hardships, this generation emphasized the value of being resourceful, saving money, and living within their means. They also instilled a strong sense of patriotism in their children, emphasizing loyalty to the country and a willingness to serve in the military if needed. 

The Silent Generation

The Silent Generation (Born between 1928 and 1945) Aka “Traditionalists, Radio Babies”

Major Life Events:

Parenting Style: 

  • This generation strongly adhered to traditional gender roles, with fathers typically as the breadwinners and disciplinarians and mothers focusing on homemaking and childcare. Children were expected to contribute and help with tasks like cleaning, cooking, and caring for younger siblings. Open communication about feelings and emotions were uncommon. 

Baby Boomers

Baby Boomers (Born between 1946 and 1964) Aka “Boomers, Trailblazers, Hippies” 

Major Life Events:

Parenting Style: 

  • Many Boomers prioritized their careers, which led to the rise of “latchkey kids” who spent significant time unsupervised. Compared to previous generations, Boomers were more open to communication and discussion with their kids. However, the power dynamic remained largely parent-centric. A smaller subset of Boomers adopted a more relaxed approach, allowing their kids more freedom and autonomy to explore and learn from their own mistakes.
Parents' Day

Generation X

Gen X (Born between 1965 and 1980) Aka “Latchkey Kids, MTV Generation” 

Major Life Events:

  • MTV Culture
  • Rise of the Internet
  • Watergate Scandal

Parenting Style: 

  • Gen X parents place a high value on independence and self-reliance. They encourage their children to think for themselves, make decisions, and learn from their mistakes. Their own experiences growing up as “latchkey kids,” often with working parents and less supervision than previous generations, heavily influenced their approach to parenting. They encourage passions and interests through extracurricular activities, hobbies, or self-directed learning.

Millennials

Millennials (Born between 1981 and 1996) Aka “Gen Y, Me Generation” 

Major Life Events:

  • The Great Recession
  • September 11th
  • Rise of Social Media

Parenting Style:

Generation Z

Generation Z (Born between 1997 and 2012) Aka “Gen Z, iGeneration, Zoomers”

Major Life Events:

  • Never knew a life without cell phones and digital media
  • Election of Donald Trump
  • COVID-19 Pandemic

Parenting Style:

  • Gen Z parents prioritize open and honest communication. They believe in creating a safe space for their children to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns without judgment. They’re more likely to discuss sensitive topics like mental health, sexuality, and social justice with their kids at an early age. Gen Z parents are highly aware of social issues like racism, inequality, and climate change. They strive to raise their children to be socially conscious, empathetic, and accepting of diversity. 

Phew… what an evolution!

As we can see, we’re all shaped by significant historic milestones, technological advancements, changing values, and more. It’s important to respect our differences and the value we each bring through our vast individual experiences. Whether it’s a biological parent, a grandparent, or a special parent-like figure in your life, make time to let them know how much they mean to you. Today, tomorrow, and every day, we honor and celebrate the role of a parent! 

Baby Boomers and Millennials – Working Together

During my keynote presentation at the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) 2018 Fall Conference, I discussed how Baby Boomers and Millennials can better work together.

My intent of the presentation was to help employees think differently and act decisively when dealing with multiple generations.

Baby Boomers and Millennials in the Workplace

The differences between baby boomers and millennials can wreak havoc both personally and professionally, or they can be a source of incredible energy and creativity. It’s important to understand these differences and to have some specific strategies for dealing with them.

At the conference, we began by having Millennials group together, and Baby Boomers then also teamed up. Each group made a list of frustrations and positives about the other group.

After these lists were discussed, I revealed that for all the criticism Millennials currently receive, the same stereotypes were attributed to Baby Boomers in the late 1960s. The unfair stereotyping goes both ways!

Baby Boomers Working with Millennials

We give Baby Boomers grief about technology, but I bet every Boomer uses technology.

The Millennials now outnumber Baby Boomers, the generation that was thought to be the biggest possible. As Baby Boomers age, the number of senior citizens in America will double.

Tensions in the workplace stem from the different ways generations have been shaped by cultural events, technology and the economy.

However, I shared recommendations for how Baby Boomers and Millennials can work together!

Baby boomers and millennials

Credit for the article and video goes to the American Architectural Manufacturers Association.

Baby Boomers in the Workforce – How to Leverage the Strengths

How can we leverage the strengths of baby boomers in the workforce? What impact do aging baby boomers have on our younger employees?

In 1967, the Beatles – a favorite boy band among the baby-boomer recorded a song titled ‘Will you still love me when I’m sixty-four’. Turns out that question is quite outdated. According to AARP, 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day. That means 7 baby boomers a minute are turning 65.

Baby Boomers in the Workforce

According to CNBC, 10,000 baby boomers are retiring every day. What does this mean? This means that organizations are losing access to that valuable institutional knowledge at an alarming rate.

The window of opportunity is closing. You might think that baby boomers in the workforce are staying as long as they can. We don’t consider 65 that old anymore. Baby boomers are living longer. They are more active. They are healthy and also, financially they want to continue to contribute to their retirement account. 65 percent of baby boomers plan on working past the age of 65! However, the way baby boomers work has changed.

Baby Boomers Staying in the Workforce

We always call baby boomers ‘the generation that lives to work‘. But now, baby boomers have flipped the tables and they really are the generation that is working to live! They’re working part-time. Work-life balance has become a priority and they also are focusing more on their hobbies. Focusing so much on their hobbies that those hobbies have now become their new career pursuits.

I recently interviewed a baby boomer who retired from human resources. She now works in a gardening shop, because gardening was always her passion that she pursued over the weekends. But now, she has retired and she works in a gardening shop and that is her new calling.

It is vital that we tap into the baby boomers knowledge before they take their skill sets and move onto different pastures.

Baby Boomers in the Workforce

How are Baby Boomers Affecting the Workplace

What can older workers teach our younger workers?

One of the most important skills set that baby boomers can pass along is how to manage your work.

I know that when I first began my career, I struggled with how to manage my time. It took a long time to do simple things because I didn’t really know how to prioritize well.

Baby boomers have learned how to prioritize. Younger people have a lot on their plate. They’re balancing their careers along with their children. Sometimes they are also coordinating with the spouse’s chaotic schedule. They may have a difficult boss or challenging clients. They’re also trying to move up the ladder.

Baby boomers have learned to prioritize and how to delegate. The fine art of pushing back when presented with unreasonable demands. They can help younger employees prioritize when it comes to finances.

Baby Boomers Working with Millennials

In one of my earlier segments, I discussed how Millennials are the most financially concerned of all generations. Well, baby boomers are a great generation to tap into about wise decisions when it comes to finances.

One of the biggest regrets I hear from baby boomers is that they should have started saving
sooner!  What better opportunity for millennial to learn how to save and how to prioritize their spending.

What Can Millennials Teach Baby Boomers?

Well, they can teach them how to build their network!

After we turned 50, we stop building our circle of contacts or friends. Our children are grown, so we don’t have that connection with other young parents.

We’ve maybe retired, but we’re pursuing other activities and we tend to let our circle sort of stay the same. Young people, they’re in that mode of building their circle and their connections. And what a wonderful opportunity to learn how to build your circle!

As we age, it becomes more and more important that we really bring in diversity into our lives.

Millennial Boss: How to Give Corrective Feedback to a Baby Boomer

How to Give Corrective Feedback to a Baby Boomer, when you are the Millenial Boss? Yes, a much younger person trying to lecture to an experienced one?

I’m talking to my dad, professional speaker Larry Johnson. He is a co-author of the best-selling an absolutely fabulous book ‘Absolute Honesty’.

When a Millennial Is Your Boss

Recently I had a Millennial audience member ask me about how to best give an honest feedback to somebody she was managing. Somebody much older. Old enough to be her dad. She felt a little awkward giving the corrective feedback.

I thought I’d asked my dad, who is also a baby boomer and a co-author of the best-selling book ‘Generations Inc’.

Giving Negative Feedback to Baby Boomers

“How best should this millennial give honest feedback to this person she’s managing?” And I think we’re safe to assume that it’s a corrective feedback. It’s not a compliment but rather that she wants the person to change their behavior.

I think it kind of depends on where the other person perceives this younger person’s area of expertise.

In other words, the baby boomer may question what right does this person have to tell me how I should do anything? I know as a baby boomer, I really appreciate the younger person who coaches me on how to better use my software, how to use my computer, or how to use social media.

How to Give Corrective Feedback

Baby Boomers Working with Millennials

We get into some tricky territory when the younger manager is going to coach me about something I think I know everything about.

It’s very important that you preface whatever you’re going to say to this person with some acknowledgment of her experience.

Say: “I know you’ve got a lot of experience in this area of dealing with customers who are upset. However, I’m concerned. When you said to the customer ‘don’t worry your pretty little head’, it could have been considered offensive.”

The Millennial that’s giving the feedback needs to voice that it is not appropriate. It could almost be interpreted as sexual harassment. It could be considered offensive.

How to Give Corrective Feedback

I would say in that case that you pose it in terms of how it might be experienced by the customer or even by the Millennials.

Describe the effect of what he’s doing okay and maybe make a suggestion on how he might approach it differently.