Generational Cohorts (Essay Sample)

Generational Cohorts
Introduction
In the current societies of the world, many differences do exist between age groups hence the notion of generations. It is a common knowledge that members of any given generation are linked together through experiences of life which then necessitates the creation of bonds that tie the same age groups together (Fletcher et al, 2009). The term that describes this bonds or ties is known as cohorts. As such, the term generation cohorts is used in describing people that were born in the same time period and grew up experiencing similar events in the course of their lives. The impact of the growing together is that such groups of individuals tend to have similar values, beliefs and attitudes that are very specific and particular to each age group and such cohorts tend to remain in a stable condition for many years (Fletcher et .al, 2009). Various cohorts in organizations are identified as veterans, generations X and Y and the baby boomers. The understanding of generational cohorts is of much importance in the aspect of helping volunteers to be very successful. The discussion of this paper is based on the understanding of the baby boomers generation and the generation X and its impact on volunteers.
Discussion
Baby Boomers
This generation of individuals refers to persons born between 10946-1964. This can be identified as the period after the Second World War II. This was a period of high birth rates. This is a generation of persons that experienced such events as the Vietnamese war, the launch of the first flight into space among others (Fletcher et. al, 2009). The generation is as associated with high tendencies towards experimentation and respect for freedom. This generation of individuals also developed some characteristics that were contrary to the culture of the people.
The characteristics common to this generation in relation to work are as follows. They are team oriented and optimistic people, they value their health more than anything else, and they seek to grow personally in the job, like to take part in management and are generally workaholics, likes to be recognized for anything good done in the organization and always strive to comply with human rights at the work place (University of Lowa, 2009)
The above characteristics are important to people involved in helping baby booms volunteers. Working overtime is applicable to this group since they like working. Management should also put in place compensation plans that recognize marvelous work done. In other for them to settle well in their volunteering job, healthy working conditions should prevail. There is also need to involve them in management through delegation of duties to achieve maximum motivation levels (University of Lower, 2009)
Generation X
This generation of individual is also known by the term baby busters, and refers to persons born between the years 1965-1981. They are a generation of people that grew up after the end of the Vietnamese war, witnessed various economic recessions and the cold wars. This is also the generation that first experienced the events of the epidemic of AIDS and lived under the presidency of Reagan Ronald (Fletcher et al, 2009)
The general characteristics and work related characteristics of this generation are as follows: they appreciate the aspect of diversity seeing it as an opportunity. They are always trying to balance their professional lives with personal lives, are funny at the work place, a related aspect is that they are informally interactive, have some computer skills and appreciative to technology, they also have a high sense of self belief despite the fact that they are respectful to supervisors (University of Lowa, 2009).
The understanding of X generation characteristics is important in helping volunteers who fall in this age group settle well in their work place. Management should use technological gargets in motivating them in their work, the mode of communication at the work place should not be very formal because it may cause conflicts with this volunteers. Another important aspect to consider is that of their balance of their professional life and personals lives, and as such, management should avoid as much as possible making requests that contradicts with their social lives. It is also important to give them opportunities to try out new things because their high sense of self belief can likely help ...