Generational Futures for MEA

Stephen Troutman Futurist, Facilitator, Author, Consultant [email protected] 507 250-1611

August 13, 2015

Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] 507-250-1611 Generations • We are all familiar with the concept of generations

– The "GI"s who won WWII, the "Greatest Generation" – They unified after the war to build the economic engine which powered the US dominance for the next 50 years – The "Baby Boom" generation that rebelled – In the 1960s and 1970s, they set out to change the world and were famously conflicted with their parents – "Generation X" is the irreverent, ‘just do it’ generation – The were the ‘latch key’ generation, they grew to be independent, pragmatic and self sufficient. – The Millennials want relevance and connection – They were originally called Generation Y because they were so different from Gen X. Also called Digital Natives

We will discuss these topics: The Research Generational Archetypes Generational Cycles What this means. The Crisis Cycle What is coming next?

Logistics: Please, ask questions when they come to you Note taking not required, I will send a copy have these slides You may share and my slides freely Just attribute it to me and the authors of the reference works

• The material you are about to delve into is based on work of two researcher/authors. • William Strauss and Neil Howe – Their basic research covers data: • Spanning 1584 to the 1980s of American history – Their analysis : • Identified 13 generations in American history. • Confirmed generational archetypes. • Identified repeating generational cycles. • Provide a model for forecast the future in the US. • Provided explanations for some European history.

In the historic data, Strauss and Howe found differentiating characteristics by generation

Eight important categories of the data are: 1. Approaches to child nurturing 2. Gender roles and gaps 3. Focus on idealism 4. Approach to institutions 5. Expressed family values 6. The current cultural imperatives 7. Future vision and expectations 8. The conduct and result of wars

A generation is an identifiable cohort of people usually spanning a period between 17 and 23 years in Strauss and Howe’s research

• For example, “Generation X”ers are: • Born from 1965 to 1982 (an 18 year span) Nomad • Children of the Silent Artist generation • “Out to do what needs to be done” • Archetype: Nomad / Reactive *

Note: * Between their first book and their second book, the authors renamed the generations, in this example from Reactive to Nomad)

There is no standard "generations" in the literature: • In one book by a different author, “Generation X” is purported to span only 11 years, followed by “Generation Y” for only 9 years

While these two periods generally coincide with Strauss and Howe’s ‘early’ and ‘late’ Gen X research, they do not cover Gen Y

It is often not known where the other authors got their data to divide the ‘generations’ as they did.

It is up to the reader to ensure consistency: • When looking at generational information, or conclusions from different sources, it is important to verify that the underlying data is analyzed and used in the same way.

Even Strauss and Howe changed their terminology between their first book, in 1991, and their second, in 1997. (e.g. Reactive to Nomad) • Ensure you are not comparing “apples” to “oranges”

Four distinct, repeating, generational archetypes* were found by Strauss and Howe: : Artist • Artist / Adaptive • Out to keep things working by consensus

• Prophet / Idealist Prophet • Out to change the world

• Nomad / Reactive Nomad • Out to do what needs to be done

• Hero / Civic Hero • Out to work together with purpose

Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] 507-250-1611 * Archetypes are groupings with common characteristics Resources

William Strauss and Neil Howe They wrote five books based on their research

• Generations: The History of America's Future , 1584 to 2069, Published 1991, ISBN 0688119123 • 13th Gen : Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail?, Published 1993, ISBN 0679743650 • The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy, Published 1997, ISBN 055306682X • Millennials Rising : The Next Great Generation, Published 2000, ISBN 0375707190 • Millennials and the Pop Culture Published 2006, ISBN 09 712605

Born between 1901 and 1924 (24 years) Hero The Greatest Generation - Out to work together with purpose GI Archetype: Hero / Civic Born between 1925 and 1942 (18 years) Artist Silent The Silent Generation - Out to keep things going by consensus Archetype: Artist / Adaptive Born between 1943 and 1962 (20 years) Prophet Boomer Baby Boom - Out to change the world Archetype: Prophet / Idealist Born between 1963 and 1981 (19 years) Nomad Gen X Generation X - Out to do what needs to be done Archetype: Nomad / Reactive Born between 1982 and 2002[?] (21 years?) Hero Millennial or Gen Y - Out to work together with purpose Millennial Archetype: Hero / Civic Born after 2003[?] Artist Gen Z The next Silent Generation - Out to keep things going by consensus Archetype: Artist / Adaptive

Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 * Archetypes are groupings with common characteristics .Generations p428 [email protected] 507-250-1611 How are the generations related?

GI / Hero Generation (elder) Hero • They are known as: the Greatest Generation, GI generation, and Civic generation. • GI Generation are grand parents to Millennials and parents to Boomers

Silent / Artist Generation Artist • They are known as the Silent generation. • Silent are the parents of the Generation X Nomads

Boomer / Prophet Generation Prophet • They are known as: Baby Boomers and the Me Generation, were “hippies” & “yuppies” • Boomers are the parents of Millennials and children of the GI Generation

Gen X / Nomad Generation Nomad • They are known as Generation X or Xers, were “twenty-somethings” & “latch key kids” • Gen X is the generation between the Millennials and the Boomers. Children of the Silent and they are the parents of next Artist generation

Millennial / Hero Generation (younger) Hero • They are also know as: Generation Y, Digital Natives, and Generation Next • Millennials are the children of Boomers, grandchildren of the GI Generation

Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] 507-250-1611 Generations pass through time. There are four Age Cohorts : • Childhood ~ 0-19 years old • Young Adult ~ 20-39 years old • Midlife ~ 40-59 years old Late • Elder hood ~ 60-79 years old Elder- historically less important is: hood Late Elder hood ~ 80+ years old Elder- Stewardship : passing on values hood

Mid Life Leadership : directing, using values

Young Note that each Adult Active : working, testing values “age” cohort has a different Child focus hood Dependence : growing, learning values Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] 507-250-1611 The Four Generational Archetypes Exist in Repeating Patterns • With each • The archetypes appear, one Hero generational after another, in a repeating GI cycle, an elder pattern archetype • Artist Artist ages and fades away. • Prophet Silent • Nomad • Hero Prophet Boom • Artist • … Nomad Gen X • With each generation, the next archetype in the Hero pattern appears and joins Millen’l the cyle

Artist

Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 ? [email protected] 507-250-1611 The Patterns Shift Over Time The shift is gradual, taking years But the change in generational characteristics can be abrupt as a critical mass is achieved.

Example Dates 1974 1981 1987 1994

Elder hood Hero Hero Hero Artist ~ 63-83 Artist Artist Midlife ~ 42-62 Artist Prophet Prophet Prophet Young Adult ~ 21-41 Prophet Nomad Nomad Childhood Nomad ~ 0-20 Nomad Hero Hero Hero

Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] 507-250-1611 * Mid point was about 1994 Four Patterns Define Four Cycles Four repeating generational alignments are observed Each pattern defines a cycle which has distinct characteristics The cycles shift to the left, a turning with each new pattern Cycle Dates 1946-1964 1964-1984 1984-2002? 2003-2025

Elder hood Nomad Hero Artist Prophet ~ 63-83

Midlife Hero Artist Prophet Nomad ~ 42-62

Young Adult Artist Prophet Nomad Hero ~ 21-41

Childhood Prophet Nomad Hero Artist ~ 0-20

Cycles = High Awakening Unraveling Crisis

Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] 507-250-1611 * Mid point was about 1994 Cycles Have Distinct Characteristics High – “innocent” Need to: “do what works” • e.g. 1946-1964, next about 2026-2047 Awakening – “passionate” Need to: “fix inner world problems” • e.g. 1964-1984, next about 2048-2069 Unraveling – “cynical” Need to: “do what feels right” • e.g. 1908-1929 and 1983-2003 Crisis – “combative, then practical” Need to: “fix the outer world problems” • e.g. 1929-1946, predicted 2004-2025

Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] 507-250-1611 Moods by Cycle Cycle:> High Awake Unravel Crisis Age Location: 1946-64 1964~84 1984~04? 2004?~26? Elder hood ...... Nomad Hero Artist Prophet Midlife ...... Hero Artist Prophet Nomad Young Adult ...... Artist Prophet Nomad Hero Child ...... Prophet Nomad Hero Artist Views towards:

Families strong weakening weak strength’ng Child Nurture loosening unprotect tightening overprotect Gender Role Gap maximum narrowing minimum widening Ideals settled discovered debated championed Institutions reinforced attacked eroded founded Culture innocent passionate cynical practical Future Vision brightening euphoric darkening urgent War restorative controversial inconclusive total

The following logic came out of the generational research: 1. There are specific, observable generational characteristics 2. The generational characteristics operate within age cohorts 3. The pattern of archetypes defines four repeating cycles 4. The repeating cycles enable foresight, in particular: • Expected generational characteristics in future cohorts • Predictions of general, societal behaviors

In other words, this Crisis cycle will unfold the same as previous Crises • Boomer - Prophets will act like previous Prophets in crisis • Gen-X - Nomads will act like previous Nomads in crisis • Millennial - Heroes will act like previous Heroes in crisis

Born between 1901 and 1924 – the youngest is 91 Hero Born during an Awakening, they won WW2, and powered the 1950s High GI Archetype: Hero / Civic

Born between 1925 and 1942 – the youngest is 72 Artist Born into the depression Crisis, they learned to operate by consensus Silent Archetype: Artist / Adaptive

Born between 1943 and 1960 – the youngest is 55 Prophet Born into the 1950’s High, they then set out to change the world Boomer Archetype: Prophet / Idealist

Born between 1961 and 1981 – the youngest 34 Nomad Born in the 60s and 70s Awakening, they are tough and pragmatic Gen X Archetype: Nomad / Reactive

Born between 1982 and 2003(?) – the youngest is 12 Hero Born during the Unraveling, they want to work together with purpose Millennial Archetype: Hero / Civic Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] 507-250-1611 Future Cycle Turnings

Generational cycles in recent history and the future

Span> 1984-2002* 2003-2025? 2026-2047? 2048-2069?

Elder hood Artist Prophet Nomad Hero ~ 63-83 Silent Boom Gen X Millen’l

Midlife Prophet Nomad Hero Artist ~ 42-62 Boom Gen X Millen’l

Young Adult Nomad Hero Artist Prophet ~ 21-41 Gen X Millen’l

Childhood Hero Artist Prophet Nomad ~ 0-20 Millen’l ? Cycles > Unraveling Crisis High Awakening Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] 507-250-1611 You are here This ended in 2002 or 2003! Unraveling Alignment

Artist In Stewardship : passing on values

Prophet In Leadership : directing, using values

Nomad In Action : working, testing values

Hero Still Dependent : growing, learning values

Age Cohorts by Generation in an Unraveling: – Childhood Hero ~ 0-20 years old – Young Adult Nomad ~ 21-41 years old – Midlife Prophet ~ 42-62 years old – Elder hood Artist ~ 63-83 years old Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] 507-250-1611 Predicted for the Unraveling

During an Unraveling, we see institutions start to fail as people pursue individual fulfillment

“… a downcast era of strengthening individualism and weakening institutions, when the old civil order decays….” Reference: Fourth Turning

During the Unraveling ,even catastrophic events will not trigger major unified change, • For example: The 9/11 attack did not unify us in going to war in Iraq, Compare it to unity after Pearl Harbor (during our previous Crisis )

“The Unraveling cycle will end by 2004 … • And a Crisis cycle will begin” Reference: Generations

Prophet Stewardship : passing on values

Nomad Leadership : directing, using values

Hero Acting : working, testing values

Artist Dependent (just being born) : growing, learning values

Age Cohorts by Generation in an Unraveling: – Childhood Artist ~ 0-19 years old – Young Adult Hero ~ 20-39 years old – Midlife Nomad ~ 40-59 years old – Elder hood Prophet ~ 60-79 years old Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] 507-250-1611 Predicted for the Crisis Cycle

In their 1991 book, Generations, the authors predicted:

During the Crisis Cycle, society will increasingly see “social life to be fragmenting into centrifugal and uncontrollable wildness,” • Just like they saw around 1924, 1855, 1766 & 1673

• The collapse of the old culture, before and during the Crisis, will bring readiness for change at the end of it

Our culture will proceed to a crisis climax sometime after 2013 • A new paradigm for the next 80 years will be set by 2025

(Reference: Generations)

The four stages of the Crisis f ollowing historic precedent will be: 1. Catalyst – “a series of sparks point out institutional dysfunction, foreseeable but poorly foreseen, brings urgency.” • The great devaluation occurs at the end of the Catalyst stage. 2. Regeneracy – “collective action is now seen as vital, people begin to deputize leaders to solve the problems.” • People start banding together looking for solutions and leaders. Ideas proliferate, but consensus is not achieved. 3. Climax – “energy is gathered from still unmet needs and unresolved problems, and then, when society approaches maximum civic power, (the energy) is spent with fury” • Society unites in an all out effort to defeat the common enemy. Total commitment is required of everyone, and usually total war is waged. 4. Resolution – “quickly follows the Climax with the establishment of a new order” • The societal rules and norms are established to usher in the next High Cycle . Fourth Turning p 256-258

Year 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5

Catalyst Between 2013 & 2020 Estimated for 2008, starts the Resolution Great Devaluation • Estimated for 2023, takes only Regeneracy Climax a few years to firmly set the • Starting 1-3 years • Estimated to be 2020 but new order after after Catalyst and could come as the final Climax then building until early as 2013 the Climax

About this chart: This is a time line which plots the start and end years of the four stages of the Crisis Cycle, based on previous Crises and the author’s predictions Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] 507-250-1611 Catalyst Stage (Part 1a)

The first of four stages of the 20 year Crisis Cycle:

– Catalyst Stage – triggering events occur, signs of failing culture • Runs 1-5 years (the Crisis Cycle began around 2003) • (Catalyst predicted to end between 2005-2009)

– Looks like the Unraveling Cycle, • more institutional failures • and an inability to come to consensus

– But, there are no paths to unification ... yet

Historically the Catalyst Stage is like a continuation of the Unraveling Cycle. Predictable but unpredicted failures occur. Trusted institutions fail to deliver results. It is marked by a Great Devaluation

“The Great Devaluation is likely to hit Boomers • just as their first cohorts are reaching the official ages of retirement • ....perhaps … 2008”

(Fourth Turning p282, 1997)

The second stage of four in the Crisis Cycle:

– Regeneracy Stage – unification efforts begin • Starting 1-3 years after Catalyst Continues until the Climax Stage • (Regeneracy starting any time after 2006, ending with the Climax, around 2020 or earlier) Triggering events continue, but not the final trigger

• Multiple unification paths appear These may be pragmatic or utopian or both They may receive broad support or little

“All social arrangements are evaluated anew; Pre-Crisis promises and expectations count for little.”

Final consensus is not achieved during Regeneracy During the Regeneracy the people deputize leaders lead and they will bring radical change.

Near the end of the Regeneracy, “Individuals are expected to comply with new … standards of virtue • Those who persist in free-wheeling, self-oriented behavior now face implacable stigma, even punishment. • Winner-take-all arrangements give way to enforceable new mechanisms for social sharing.”

(Fourth Turning p258, 1997)

The third of the four stages of the Crisis Cycle: • Climax Stage – the crisis peaks, society decides on one path forward • Usually occurs 5 years from the end of the entire Crisis Cycle • Could be sometime around 2020, or earlier

• The Final Trigger occurs and “could be ... almost anything”: • a minor political event (like the Boston Tea party), • a normal election (like Lincoln’s), or • a horrendous attack (like Pearl Harbor)

– Climax Stage is:

• “human history’s equivalent to a raging typhoon ... that sucks all surrounding matter into a single swirl .... • shaking society to its roots, • transforming institutions, and • redirecting purposes.”

– “When society approaches the climax [stage]…. wars become more likely…. The risk of Revolution is high” • “Where the new values regime had once justified individual fury, it now justifies public fury.”

(Fourth Turning p258, 1997)

The fourth of the four stages of the Crisis Cycle:

Resolution Stage – – immediately following the Climax decisions are made, – and society unites around them

• Usually takes place in only 3 years after the final trigger of the Climax Stage • Could be done by 2023 or earlier, certainly by 2025

A new cultural order is in place at the end of the Resolution Stage of the Crisis Cycle

The fourth of the four stages of the Crisis Cycle:

– Resolution Stage – immediately following the Climax Stage decisions are made, and society unites around them • Usually takes place in only 3 years after the final trigger of the Climax Stage • Could be done by 2023 or earlier, certainly by 2025

“The sense of community will be omnipresent” • Lack of consensus will become a thing of the past” “Moral order will be unquestioned, • With ‘rights’ and ‘wrongs’ crisply defined and obeyed” “Sacrifices will be asked and given” • Long standing secular problems will be addressed” A new cultural order is in place at the end of the Crisis Cycle

The once in 80 year Crisis cycle is well underway:

Boomer elder Prophets – “will forge consensus, providing moral leadership ... they will also be willing to sacrifice”

Gen X midlife Nomads – “knowing how to get things done, will lead the way and make things happen”

Millennial Heroes in young adulthood – “ready to follow orders and do public good, they will do both”

Artist youths – “will grow up seeing the value in consensus and following the rules”

... These roles will emerge once they all are at critical mass!

• GI s are in late late-elder hood – Hero and generally out of the picture • The Silents are leaving elder hood, entering late-elder hood – Artist The “pluralism” of the Artist’s has declined • Boomers are leaving midlife, entering elder hood –

Prophet They are “in control and bringing a moralistic culture of absolutes”, but they are positioning to lead after the final trigger • Gen X is leaving young adulthood, entering midlife – Nomad “alienated, getting what they can, without any excuses.” “Entrepreneurial, they know how to get things done” • Millennials (Gen Y) entering young adulthood – Hero “the next Heroes have arrived, wanting to work together on things that have meaning” they are ready to be called • Gen Z, the next Silents are being born and the oldest is 12 Artist “They will live through the Crisis and learn consensus”

When was the last Crisis Cycle? Answer: The mid-twenties through WWII

• 1924 was the beginning of the Crisis cycle Catalyst stage • In 1929 the Stock Crash occurs and is Catalyst trigger • In 1933 the lowest point in stock prices is reached • Also in 1933, the New Deal Regeneracy is begun • In 1941 Pearl Harbor attack is the Climax trigger • By 1945 new order is in place. Resolution is complete

Stock Prices (DJIA)

1929 to 1941

Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dow_Jones_Industrial_Average 507-250-1611 History

US Stock Prices (DJIA) 1925 to 1946 (logarithmic scale)

1925 1930 1935 1940 1945

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dow_Jones_Industrial_Average Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] 507-250-1611 History and Prediction Predicted Crisis Cycle Events overlaid on US Stock Prices (DJIA) 1925 to 1946 (logarithmic scale)

Catalyst Between 2013 &2020 Begins at 2003 with the great Resolution devaluation •, Estimated by estimated for 2023 takes only 2008 a few years to Regeneracy Climax firmly set the • Starting 1-3 • Projected for new order after years after 2020 but could the final Climax, Catalyst trigger come as early certainly done and then building as 2013 by 2025 until the Climax

19251929 1930 1935 1941 1940 1945 2004 2008 2009 2014 2020 2019 2023

Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dow_Jones_Industrial_Average 507-250-1611 History US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) 1910 to 1960 (note: by 1941 we were back where we would have been with a ‘normal’ growth curve )

US Unemployment (% of working population) 1910 to 1960 (note that he worst unemployment did not occur in 1930, but actually occurred in 1933 and was sustained through 1938)

Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression 507-250-1611 Summary Historical Comparison

• The Recent Past Compares to the Historical Record • Recent events and Crisis predictions show event time synchronicity, if not the m agnitude sameness • i.e. The 1929 crash was worse than 2008’s crash (by almost any measure). However, the “Great Devaluation” does appear to be complete (when compared to the historical record) • Some Crisis Cycle projections have come true suggesting the rest may also be true. • The stock market volatility, gridlock in government, and other economic challenges continue (as predicted) • The Regeneracy is clearly underway, – but the Climax ,and Resolution are yet to come

• Predicted for the Crisis Cycle: • A great devaluation: – Right on time around 2008, as predicted in 1991, • The birth of movements, but no consensus – Tea Party, Occupy Wall Street, etc. • Potential for unimagined shifts in societal behavior – Healthcare law passes Marijuana legalized – Gay marriage legalized Voting restrictions reappear • Divisive political climate remains unresolved, for now – Democrats 2008, Republicans in 2010, Democrats 2012, … • A global war near the very end of the cycle – A “life or death” or “total war” type of conflict • The next High will start by 2025! – With a new social order will be in place!

• What is predicted for each archetype? • Artist (elder) - Silents • Prophet – Boomers • Nomad – Gen Xers • Hero – Millennials • Artist – Gen Y

“The bulk of today's [1997’s] gerontologists and demographers do not yet grasp what's coming.... [they believe] Boomers will be much like today's (1997) busy senior citizens— except better-educated, more selfish, and ... much more numerous.

This kind of forecast leads to the conclusion that early next century younger generations will be overwhelmed by [Boomers who are]: • extravagantly doctored, • expansively lobbying, • age-denying old people. [and] to support their consumptive ... lifestyles ... Boomers would have to impose confiscatory taxes on younger people.

This would be an enormous dead weight, if it ever happens. It won't .” (Fourth Turning p280, 1997)

“Boomers are likely to occupy the vortex of a downward economic spiral. This will happen partly because of their numbers but mainly because of their location in history and collective persona. As [one] financial expert observes, ‘the generation ... inevitably spoiled by the wealth created by their parents' generation is sure to drive the system over the edge, without the experience of the past decline to provide financial and economic sobriety.’”

“The Great Devaluation is likely to hit Boomers just as their first cohorts are reaching the official ages of retirement ....perhaps between 2002 and 2008”

(Fourth Turning p282, 1997)

Following the Great Devaluation, Boomers will find new ethical purpose in low consumption because, with America in Crisis, they will have no other choice.

Enlightened demographers predict “... a twenty-first-century shift to a ‘contemplative old age’ that Eliminates today's focus on activity and instead ‘transcends doing, in favor of being.’ • Elders will be defined as spiritually gifted over their juniors who ‘are too busy to cultivate the quietness and inwardness ... which is possible.’ • Pain and bodily decline will be accepted, even honored as the necessary burning off of worldly dross for the purpose of acquiring higher insights. " (Fourth Turning p283 284, 1997)

However, “The final Boomer leaders—authoritarian, severe, unyielding— will command broad support from younger people who will see in them a wisdom beyond the reckoning of youth.... As they battle time and nature to win their release from history, they will feel themselves in position to steward the nation, and perhaps the world, across several painful thresholds. Whatever the elements of Crisis, old Boomer leaders will up the moral ante beyond the point of possible retreat or compromise.

Thus will the Gray Champion ride once more .... Whatever the outcome, posterity will remember the Boomers' Gray Champion persona long after the hippie and yuppie images have been forgotten to all but the historian.” (Fourth Turning p283 284, 1997

Boomers will resist at first, and then whole heartedly accept, old age Determine where your boomer is and then act accordingly Their habitual tendency to enunciate unyielding principles will not change. You should be ready to hear about what is right, not just what it expedient Their unyielding principles, in elder hood, will carry the duty of enforcement. You may have to resist some of their unwavering demands for action They will be ready for acts of self denial Don’t be afraid to ask for acts of sacrifice. Expect eccentric behavior and what appears to be hypocrisy Don’t be surprised by the signs of their new, contemplative, self image

“Boomers will demand duty and discipline from post adolescents ... and get both” [But Millennials] “ will resist elders ... whom they perceive as unwilling to relinquish private and material privilege .” (Generations p421, 1991)\ “In domestic matters, old Boomers will recast the old arguments of the Culture Wars into a new context of community needs” (Fourth Turning p286, 1997)

Gen Xers are the children that grew up during the Awakening • With the sheer numbers and the aggressive persona of the Boomers before them, and a large Millennial generation to follow them

They were the ‘latch key’ kids, • Their busy, Artist, parents were in mid-career and did not want to ‘smother ‘ them , as they had been smothered • Cynical, dark, and pessimistic about their generation’s future, but unreasonably optimistic about their personal opportunities

And, the ‘just do it’ generation. • Having grown up having to fend for themselves they are independent and supremely self sufficient … and capable of making change happen • They also are fiercely loyal to family and close friends

Working with Gen Xers

Gen Xers make things happen and get things done by ‘just doing it’ Do not expect a lot of explanation or conversation about their work Their strength comes from realism and toughness, not moral authority. You should be expect to see what is expedient, not especially what is right Don’t be surprised when they ignore or sweep aside old rules Be ready to support them if they must break things to make things work They value family highly and seek a sense of community Give them time for family and pay attention to their community They will be torn between what is personally necessary and socially desirable Try to give them roots and stability so they can avoiding internal conflicts Gen Xers are the only ones who can, and will, stand up to the Boomers Understand the facts and support them in this important counterbalance role

The young Hero characteristics, outlined in 1991 by the authors, describe what is expected from the Millennial generation:

• “Early ... Millennials ... will emerge undaunted (from economic and social hardship) thanks to their patience, confidence, and powerful instinct for community”

• “Before the crisis ... (they) may be attracted to global ideologies that promise material utopias through collective action”

• “Millennials will rise up against whomever they perceive to be enemies of community solidarity and public action.”

(Generations p421)

• “Millennials will carry out whatever mission they are assigned as long as they can connect it to their own secular blueprint for progress . • If crisis brings war, soldiers will obey orders without complaint. • If it involves environmental danger or natural resource depletion, young scientists will make historic breakthroughs. • If the crisis is mostly economic, the young labor force will be a mighty engine.... • Whatever elder-bestowed mission, these rising youths will not disappoint” • [But Millennials] “ will resist elders ... whom they perceive as unwilling to relinquish private and material privilege .” (Generations p421, 1991)

“First of all, to connect with and nurture these independent-minded types It's important to provide a structured work environment that Clearly link the ... (millennial’s) ... assignments to the overall objectives of the organization and Reinforces the idea that work matters. If possible, encourage team work rather than independent labor. And requiring younger workers to think creatively makes the work much more personally rewarding. By all means provide feedback – Millennials thirst for personal interactions and a social environment that Fulfills their need for a continuous, open dialogue.

Summing it up this way: "Relationship building is everything." • Barbara Kunkel, CIO of national law firm Nixon Peabody, says she's learned a lot about mentoring Next-Gen workers through her experience with summer interns: (CIO 3 Jan 2007) http://www.cio.com.au/pp.php?id=457796608&pp=1&eid=-154 Bulleting added! Copyright Stephen Troutman 2015 [email protected] 507-250-1611 Thank you for joining me in this discussion of Generational Futures

Keynote address topics : * Generational Futures (we are in the crisis phase of an 80 year cycle) * Global Climate Change (why it is real and what are to future effects) * Demographics (worldwide and US demographic impacts) * Tools of a Futurist (scenario planning, back casting, wild card, etc.) * Virtual Teaming (the issues or remoteness and practical advice) * Matrix Management (model for cross functional decision making )

Organizations Minnesota Futurists www.mnfuturists.org Stephen Troutman World Future Society Futurist www.wfs.org [email protected] 507 250 1611 cell More adult enrichment classes like this 3210 Hill Court SW, Rochester MN 55902 in Rochester are offered by LIFE: http://www.linkedin.com/in/troutman www .learningisforever .net /