This morning, John Morrissey, leadership trainer for Fortune 500 companies, former 25-year-veteran teacher, and friend of the Boys’ State Program, gave a presentation on the four different generations that make up the U.S. workforce. As the youngest leaders in our Nation, the delegates showed real interest in learning about how their own generation, “The Millennials,” thinks as a whole, especially in relation to the other three generations: “Traditionalists,” “Baby Boomers,” and “Generation X.” Each generation has been shaped by specific historical, social, and economic factors and events, such as the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. These different circumstances shape the way that individuals within each generation think about the world and live their lives. Knowing this important fact is crucial to be able to learn from and cooperate with members of other generations in the workforce and society at large.
