Feedback Expectations Among Different Generations
Posted on October 18, 2012 by Michelle Carpenter, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
This brief article shows how important it is for each generation to receive feedback. The feedback research was based on education and employment.
GENERATIONAL FEEDBACK EXPECTATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE AND IN SCHOOL
Is there a difference in the style of feedback preferred between the generations within their careers and their education?
We are lead to believe that the Now Generation doesn’t want one-on-one meetings but prefers instant messaging formats; they have temporary careers keeping all options open where everything is transient. This data does not support this generalization.
The scale used for all the following categories is as follows:
1=Strongly Disagree and 5= Strongly Agree
(All scores are averages for each generation group)
Generation Group Born Between Estimated Population Size
Traditionalists/Seniors 1920-1945 (75 Million, 25% workforce)
Baby Boomers 1946-1964 (80 Million)
Generation Xers 1965-1977 (46 Million)
GenY, Millenniums, Ge-next 1977-2002 (76 Million)
(The following are the main categories/questions that were used to research the data using a varying number of respondents for each category, 49% were male and 51% female)
“I would prefer that my coaching and mentoring discussions utilize the technology of text messaging, email or telephone conversations versus one-on-one meetings.”
Seniors(3.30) / Boomers(3.57) / GenXers(3.68) / GenYs(3.48)
“During a coaching or mentoring discussion I prefer bite sized pieces of information in a short and concise form versus long drawn out conversations.”
Seniors(2.20) / Boomers(2.50) / GenXers(2.45) / GenYs(2.76)
High-tech, low-touch does not appear to be valued during coaching and mentoring discussions. There is slight to little difference between the generations. This means that coaches and mentors need to continue with the high-touch, face-time all generations require.
“I would describe myself as requiring a lot of feedback, reinforcement, support and attention.”
Seniors(1.90) / Boomers(2.26) / GenXers(2.55) / GenYs(3.03)
GenY is supposed to require the least support but they have the highest average score: a 3 is an uncertain score, whereas Seniors disagree. More interesting than the generational differences is the similarity in the low levels of all the scores, maybe they are saying, treat us as adults, let us do our thing, help when needed but don’t micro manage, or do all generation y’s desire to be their own boss?
“If with my coach or mentor we develop a training solution I would prefer this to be quick learning events, versus a training course that occurs over a number of days.”
Seniors(2.09) / Boomers(3.07) / GenXers(3.45) / GenYs(3.09)
A 3.0 was an uncertain choice, which could be interpreted as it depends." Even with this qualification, we expected more agreement especially from the GenY generation, which have been called the Digital Generation." An alternative interpretation is that training remains a personal event, where face-to-face interaction with others is valued. Your choice, but the data does not give a resounding, vote for distant or internet based learning as a preference.
(Link to Feedback Exercises: http://reviewing.co.uk/feedback.htm)
The hope is that these results will give some insight to the notions that the generations are different, and not to suggest an impossible prototype for how to coach/teach these millions of individuals.
http://www.coachingandmentoring.com/GenerationsExpectations.htm
