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Saturday, April 17, 2010

Are the values of each generational cohort different?

Much has been written about the difference in values of each generation. In Retiring the Generation Gap, a research study from the Center for Creative Leadership, research data supports the idea that the values between generations aren’t that different rather it is the way in which each generation demonstrates their values in the workplace that varies.

Members of all generations were asked to rank their top ten values. The values that showed up in respondents’ top three most frequently were:

Family

Love

Integrity

The generation gap may not be as big as many people think. Perhaps it is just a matter of educating individuals that different behavior does not necessarily equate to different values. For instance, if a baby boomer values family above all else they may live that value by working long hours to do the best job that they can to provide for their family. A Gen X might show their love of family by wanting to work as few hours as possible in order to spend more time with their family. Same values but the generational perspective of how to live that value is very different.

The Center for Creative Leadership study revealed that the generations’ values do not differ significantly—individuals of all generations differ much more from each other than any generation does from the others. However, isn’t the prevailing belief in the workplace that generational conflict is in part fueled by the difference in values between generations?

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