No generation has been so misunderstood and underestimated. This generation brought us civil rights, unmatched national wealth in the arts and commerce, and unimaginable advancements in science and technology! The “silent” ones are 95% retired at the moment. In a few years virtually no “Silent” will dominate an industry, a battlefield, nothing at all. Most will have done well in the shadows. The Silent Generation is also known as “Veterans” (mid-1920s – mid-1940s) The Silent are 95% retired at this time. In a few years virtually no “Silent” will dominate an industry, a battlefield, nothing at all. Most will have done well in the shadows. No generation has been so misunderstood and underestimated. This generation brought us civil rights, unmatched national wealth in the arts and commerce, and unimaginable advancements in science and technology.
Three theories about the origin of the “Silent Generation” label …
- This generation grew up when children “should be seen and not heard.”
- The assault on America’s political freedom by the House Un-American Activities Committee along with Senator Joseph McCarthy’s inquisitions scared them terribly. McCarthy fueled anti-communist sentiment to such an extent that it was dangerous to express an opinion anywhere, on anything. People went to jail for withheld beliefs and affiliations 20 or 30 years earlier. Freedom of speech was almost dead. People became apolitical. Safe. Be quiet.
- The name Silent Generation was coined in a 1951 cover story in Time magazine to refer to the generation that came of age at that 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The phrase became even more fashionable after author William Manchester’s comment that members of this generation were “withdrawn, cautious, unimaginative, indifferent, unadventurous, and silent.”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 80 years old.
SOME FEATURES OF Silents AT WORK
Attitudes
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Confidence
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Privacy
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Accordance
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Faith in institutions
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Respect for authority
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Patience
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Responsibility before pleasure
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Formality
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Social order
Contributions
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Consist
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Detail oriented
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Don’t complain
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Mediators and facilitators
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Commitment
Captivity
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You may not see “gray”, mainly black and white
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Suppose “no news is good news”
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It may sound fatherly
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Often complacent when they disagree
SOME INCORRECT CONCEPTIONS ABOUT Silents:
Media myth: More accidents and illnesses. Reality: In fact, they have fewer workplace accidents. Insurance claims are no different than for all workers.
Media myth: I can’t learn technology. Reality: Silent are motivated learners when training is done well (respectfully, 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: It is 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 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-40s to mid-60s) crashes, they think …
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Dictatorial.
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Inhibited
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Technological dinosaurs.
when a GenX (mid-1060s to late 1970s) crashes, they think …
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Too established in your ways.
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Learn to use voicemail.
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You have all the money.
when a GenY (from 1980 to 2000) crashes, they think …
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Grumpy, grumpy, grumpy.
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Like, how is a nose ring different from pierced ears? Hello… ?
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Learn to use email. We are all individuals.
There are countless ways in which we differ in terms of background, personality, values, preferences, and style. Making judgments about these differences (that is, who is better) is illogical and pointless. Yet exploring generational diversity can help explain – and bridge – the sometimes perplexing differences behind our unspoken assumptions and contrary attitudes.
BailBe careful not to reinforce negative stereotypes. Generational differences are a Start, not a final to understanding.