The Generation Beat
Understanding each generation
helps physicians work together. The generations follow
fairly distinct characteristics when it comes to work
and lifestyle. Each is affected by historical and
social events that shape its members’ values and
beliefs.
Matures Born before
1945, turning 61 or older this year
Often called Traditionalists, the
Matures actually are a combination of two generations,
the Veterans (1901 to 1924) and the Silent Generation
(1925 to 1942). They make up about 30 million Americans
and only about 5 percent of the overall workforce. Yet
19 percent of active physicians in 2003 were age 65 or
older.
The oldest of
the Matures remember the Great Depression. Many also
fought in World War II or were children during the war.
Matures are known for company loyalty, patience,
conformity, productivity and a “we first”
attitude. They value national pride and sacrifice, and
they point to military and historical figures as their
heroes.
At the
office, people in the oldest generation believe that
hard work and “climbing the ladder” made
them successful. They believe that authority equates
with tenure.
Picture John
Glenn, Charlton Heston, or the senior family practice
partner who begins many sentences with, “We
founded this practice based on...”
Boomers Born from 1946
to 1964, turning 42 to 60 this year
The Boomers still represent the
largest number of Americans at 77 million strong.
They’re slowly losing their hold on the workforce
and management in particular, representing about 45
percent of all jobs today. They make up from 50 to 60
percent of the physician workforce.*
Formative
events for this large group include the Civil Rights
movement, several historical figures’
assassinations, Woodstock, and the Vietnam War.
They’re competitive people into personal
development and teamwork.
Heard of a
workaholic? The term was coined to describe the
Boomers. This is a group dedicated to strong work ethic
often measured by number of hours put in. They wear
their success on their sleeves and frame it on their
walls. Some are becoming disenchanted, seeing that
their work ethic hasn’t paid off and
they’ve missed out on critical parts of their
lives while giving 110 percent to the company. They may
approach the second halves of their lives with a
different focus.
Picture Bill
Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and the overachieving head
surgeon who likes to take everyone under her wing. In
fact, she’ll take on everything...
Gen Xers Born from 1965
to 1978, turning 28 to 41 this year
When Gen Xers entered the scene,
they got labeled with unflattering characteristics such
as unmotivated, lethargic, irreverent—the
slackers. Yet these 45 million Americans now make up
about 40 percent of our workforce and are moving into
leadership positions. They probably represent 30 to 40
percent of the physician workforce and their numbers
are growing.
These are the
Boomers’ children, which may explain their
natural suspicion of Boomers’ values. Most Gen
Xers were raised as their parents’
“friends,” giving them a new take on
workplace authority. They’re skeptical,
pessimistic, even cynical. Gen Xers don’t have
those common heroes of previous generations and they
have trouble recognizing authority, at least without a
lot of proof. Once they have it, they’ll be loyal
to people, but not necessarily to the company.
But you still
can count on the Gen Xer—a self-reliant worker
who carries a “carpe diem” attitude. Since
people in this group remain pessimistic about the
future—after all, consider some of their
formative events were Watergate and the space shuttle
Challenger explosion—they tend to focus on the
short term.
Primarily,
Gen Xers value time above all else and they freely buck
the Boomer work ethics, causing some conflict, but
scoring a few workplace converts.
Picture
Michael Dell, Julia Roberts, Tiger Woods, or the male
junior attending who took family medical leave when his
baby was born.
Millennials Born from 1979
to 1988, turning 17 to 26 this year
This group often is called
Generation Y, as the sort of “spin-off” to
Gen X. This population group is gaining on the Boomers,
at a total of 75 million Americans. Though they only
make up about 10 percent of the workforce—and
even less of the physician
workforce—they’re up and coming.
Millennials
often are called the “coddled” generation,
also raised as their parents’ friends, but formed
by events such as the Oklahoma City bombing, Sept. 11,
and the Internet/technology boom. Born in a world of
laptops, cell phones, and remote controls, they have
trouble focusing on anything nonstimulating.
Though they
spun off from Gen Xers, they differ in many ways.
Millennials tend to be more optimistic and they
actually think Matures are pretty cool, often searching
for an older mentor to help them achieve their goals.
They want open, constant communication and positive
reinforcement. Although they are individualistic,
Millennials also are group oriented. They’re
ambitious and bright, but may come across as aimless,
especially if they postpone career and other major
decisions.
Picture
Prince William, Barbara and Jenna Bush, Venus and
Serena Williams, the new resident in the program.
* Available data on physician
distribution by age are from the American
Medical Association.
The AMA breaks data into categories that overlap
the generation cohorts, so physician workforce
by
generation data is estimated based on AMA data.
