What Motivates Employees? The Answer Depends (Partly) on their Generation
The age of retirement has been moved to 60, 65, 70 years and beyond. Where each generation used to pass the baton; there is no baton being passed anymore.
We can now find multiple generations (up to 4!) working in the workplace together. There are many intergenerational differences, including work motivation. While every person is different, it is proven that generational similarities such as priorities, motivators, reward preferences etc. do exist.
 An organization has to address that when creating a motivational plan. There are currently four generations in the workforce / rat race :-). Generational trends and motivators have been researched and identified by experts. To address the employees as a group an effective leader will understand and convey the messages proven to motivate each generation:
The generational names are debatable but these are the names I chose to use:
1. The Matures are born prior to 1946. They believe work is an obligation, no news is good news, their employer respects their experience and professionalism. Their satisfaction is gained from a job well done.
2. The Baby Boomers are born between 1946-1964. They view work as an adventure, want to be valued and needed by their employer. They don’t appreciate criticism and work for money, title and recognition.
3. The Generation X’ers are born between 1965-1980. They view work as a contract, want to do it their way without rules. They also feel freedom is the best reward and will seek feedback as opposed to waiting.
4. The Millennia's are born between 1981-1994. They view work as a means to an end, but want meaningful work done with other bright creative people, and want everything to manifest with the push of a button.
(Source: Lesonsky R., 2011).
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Scott Greenwood, United States
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What Motivates Employees? What's Behind Generational Differences
The generational differences are a function of what the environment offered at the time their behavi... Sign up
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Truong Thi Lan Anh, Viet Nam
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Work-life Balance is the Common Motivator among Generations
I would suggest there's one thing in common among generations: work-life balance that finally brings... Sign up
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WALTER Pascal, France
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Common Motivations Among all Generations
I agree that the answer depends partly on their generation. That's a fact.
But all generations also... Sign up
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Maia de Lourdes Larrea, Ecuador
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Motivation is Different for Different Cultures
@Dr Hussein Laqwer: I also think that this theory is not applicable for everyone, each culture will ... Sign up
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Angel, Brazil
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It Doesn't Matter How Old People Are, they Want Only One Thing...
A promotion, better salary, a tap on the back, etc.
Isolated or combined, they mean only one thing:... Sign up
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Bert Walker, USA
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Dealing with Responsibility / Accountability When you Grow Older
@Gil Vondrasek: You wrote: "Does our birth date impact our willingness to accept accountability?"
I... Sign up
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Daniel Newton Obaka, United States
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Two Levels of Motivation: The Natural-Purpose and the Environment-Tainted Motivation
This generational analysis comes at a time when the need to redefine value added leadership has beco... Sign up
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Alain Kriegel, France
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What Motivates People over the Generations?
I agree that everyone is looking for a balance between work and private life. The equilibrium point ... Sign up
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Martin Noonan, Australia
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Motivating Younger Employees to Find Greater Depth in Understanding
Motivation is like perception. "It's not mine, its theirs" is what is most important here, irrespect... Sign up
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Beddoe, United Kingdom
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Age / Generations Don't Matter Much
Personally I feel these simple categories are generalising and as many others have stated do not tak... Sign up
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Ellis, United Kingdom
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What Motivates Employees from Various Generations
Basic needs, such as security and recognition have always been around. All that's changed is our wil... Sign up
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AKOM JOSHUA, Ghana
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Motivations of the Various Generations
According to Maslow, motivation need not depend on the type of generation but instead on the individ... Sign up
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abraham garshong, Ghana
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Common Denominator to Motivate Employees from Various Generations?
@David Wilson: I am in line with your thinking. It is possible to have a common denominator of facto... Sign up
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