This is our first installment in a four-part series answering the question, “If a generation had a personality, what would it be?”
Based on the Process Communication Model®, here’s our conceptualization of the personality structure for Veterans (born between 1922-1943).
Nicknamed traditionalists, matures, loyalists, and seniors, this generation lived through incredibly tough times, and are stable, detail-oriented, thorough, loyal, and hard working. Veterans prize adherence to rules, respect for authority, conformity, duty, honor, dedication, and sacrifice. Veterans, as a generation, are internally motivated towards goals, and seek respect for their perseverance, hard work, and strong family values. They prefer a hierarchical leadership structure based on authority, predictability, obedience, and trust.
Veterans have much to offer. They have immense perspective, strong work ethic, loyalty, and the ability to help new leaders redeploy dormant character strengths (more on this in later articles). Veterans struggle with change and ambiguity, and dig-in their heels when they disagree – even while they might not always speak up. They struggle to see the value in the Promoter/Rebel character strengths. Consequently, as leaders and parents, they have the most difficulty knowing how to deal with these types.
Many companies we work with were founded and led by Veterans, are strong Persister/Workaholic environments. As they struggle to innovate and survive, Veteran-run organizations face two challenges. First, finding employees with the right skill and mind sets to take them forward. The second challenge is evolving the company culture to support these new skill sets. This inevitably involves being able to leverage personality diversity and negotiate generational differences. Next Element’s Delta Trajectory is designed to tackle both of these challenges.
Next month we take on Baby Boomers (born between 1943-1960). What impact did their parents’ generation have on their personality? How did their unique personality structure help them succeed? What were the consequences?
Read the introduction to this series
Baby Boomers: A Bridge Between Old and New
Generation X: The Emergence of External Motivation
