When looking at the world, each generation has a core perspective or “Orientation” that it accesses and fundamentally uses to filter its decisions and through which to interpret events.

Traditionalists: Traditionalists looked at the world and considered how their actions would affect the greater good. The sacrifices they made were made in consideration not just of the individual, but the larger family, tribe, community, and ultimately, the United States. Today, you will still find many Traditionalists who only buy American made cars and daily sport the flag pin. For Traditionalists, the “US” of the group is always more important and outweighs the “me” of the individual, and in fact, they can find it offensive when people think about themselves before the good of the whole. As babies of World War II, they saw the power of pulling together as a team to make the impossible possible.

Boomers: Boomers were the first generation to have the luxury to think about the “ME.” Their security and survival were not at risk daily, and they began to look inside and explore who they were and how they could expand on and explore their personal journey to awareness. As they moved from childhood to young adulthood, the social mood shifted with them and launched us into the next Awakening period. Young Boomers were looking for opportunities to find and experience things individually and personally, and they tried a lot of ways (e.g.: sex, drugs, and rock ’n roll) to have the “full” experience of themselves. If there were an Oscar given for the generation that best played the role of “I love being me!” it would hands down go to the Boomers. They are quite proud of being Boomers. Across the country, Boomers will outright ask/state: “We are the best generation, right?”  Many mainstream ways allowed them to stretch the boundaries of personal growth and to live the vow “Never trust anyone over thirty.”

Xers: Our Xers are survivalists. As Nomads who spent the majority of their childhoods alone, or with limited time with adults, each Xer knew, at a fundamental level, “Nobody is looking out for me.”  Xers quietly decided, “If anything is going to come out of my life, it’s up to me.”

Xers care intensely about the greater good. However, their most passionate and loyal support is activated when they see their personal actions today make it safer for their young families’ tomorrow. When it comes to engaging adult Gen Xers, leaders are advised to consider how they can make the activity be beneficial for the Gen Xers’ Nexter children as well. Xers will focus on selecting a few charities or deep areas of focus to put their energy. They do not want to over-commit and underdeliver. To enroll and engage Xers on your project or team, create a definitive answer to their question, “How can I personally make a significant, sustainable, and scalable difference?”

Millennials: Millennials, the “WE” kids, are the first generation of global citizens. They have been happily bubbling in the broth of the melting pot throughout their formative years. Advanced communication tools have given Millennials a global understanding that there are kids out there just like me who need me. Millennials have been not only pen pals, but they have met in person, Skyped, played video games, and partnered virtually with their peers from around the world in a 24-7 shared community. They proudly speak about what “WE,” their peeps, people, peers like and dislike, engaging in the dialogue, “What can WE do to narrow the gap between the HAVES and HAVE NOTS?” The globalization of the world economy has not only altered how we think about markets, supply chains, and competition, but has loosened the stranglehold of the nationalistic, tribal paradigm that kept many generations thinking in “U.S.” against THEM mode.

Brief synopsis of each generation’s orientation:

• Traditionalists: “How will ______ affect the good of “US—theU.S.,” the people of theUnited States?
• Boomers: First generation openly to ask, “What’s in it for ME?”
• Xers: Learned to ask the question of themselves, “What do I need to do to survive?”
• Millennials: Demand “What are WE getting out of this deal? Me and my peeps (peeps = non-family members you run with).