Learning from Our Past, Preparing for Our Future: a Study on Motivating Generation X for the 21st Century

Learning From Our Past, Preparing For Our Future:

A Study On Motivating Generation X For The 21st Century

Abstract

Generation X has been given the stigma by society as being the group of individuals that refuse to respect authority, refuse to work and therefore are lazy. This study, however, will disect the very nature of this generation and help understand who they really are. By understanding what motivates them in the workforce, managers can use this to their advantage and construct an undestructible team to take in its competition. Realizing what demotivates this group of individuals will also aid companies and managers to keep their workforce longer than the present statistic representing society today. Different factors affect the moods and willingness of this generation and it would behoove managers to expand their knowledge in determining how to manage each individual. Having a plan for this future generation will save a lot of time and money for companies if they act now and start training their managers to lead this incoming group. In the end, this study provides managers and companies with the tools necessary to supervise and efficiently lead Generation X. It also provides a different perspective of this generation to prove that they are not what they have been pinned to be.

Introduction

Motivating Generation X has and will become an even more important factor when the transition of power from the Baby Boomer generation comes to a completion. The massive retiring of Baby Boomers has many employers and firms failing to realize the effects of this amazing phenomenem. What used to be old stomping grounds for older generations will now be renovated with new technologies, attitudes, ideas, and rules. Identifying new motivational tools for younger workers, as well as utilizing the motvational factors that have persisted for decades, will increase productivity and facilitate the transfer of power to younger generations in the years ahead. With...