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Every seven seconds a Baby Boomer turns 50 years old.  There were 75.8 million Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964, representing 28% of the population of the United States.

The Baby Boomer generation grew up in the middle of the Civil Rights movement, Woodstock and the Vietnam War.  They saw the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and President John F. Kennedy.

Baby Boomers have a strong work ethic, valuing both loyalty and dedication to their employer. However, Boomers are more likely than the Traditionalist generation before them to question authority or even to rebel against it if they feel a change is necessary.

The Boomer generation saw women entering the workforce, mostly in traditional jobs which allowed them to continue in their role of caring for the household.  

In the workforce, Boomers are team players, relationship-driven and customer-focused. Because they are collaborative by nature, other generations might assume that Boomers drag their feet or have difficulty making independent decisions.  However, Boomers just want to know all sides of the story and gather support before coming to a conclusion.  

Here are some tips when communicating with Baby Boomers:

•    Make presentations conversational rather than a lecture

•    Link your service to the business mission and its impact on people

•    Allow plenty of time for discussion and questions

•    Solicit their input, ask for their opinions and suggestions

•    Use phone or email to set up meetings and to follow up

Baby Boomers want the opportunity to study all the facts ahead of changes in the workplace in order to garner their wholehearted support. A collaborative approach will help them work together to accomplish a common goal.

Baby Boomers have several strengths they can offer in today’s workplace.  Show them they are respected and valued.