Traditionalists
Business Focus
LOYAL | HARD-WORKING | CONFORMIST
2% Quality
of the US workforce
are Traditionalists Welcomed Benefits
Traditionalists are the
LAST GENERATION
BO RN BE T W E E N
1928 & 1946
to likely spend an
entire career at
one company.
Myth
Traditionalists are “fossilized” and incapable of adapting
to the modern workplace.
Reality
Although most are retired, Traditionalists still make up around
2% of the workforce. You can find Traditionalists either in
high positions of power after decades in the workforce or
in part-time positions to keep busy after retirement or
supplement their retirement income.
Working Traditionalists are usually considered to be “behind
the times” and closed off to new tools or ideas. In reality,
however, they have adapted to more iterations of workplace
technology than any other generation. From typewriters to
floppy disks to the cloud, Traditionalists have seen different
tools come and go. While they may not be the most tech-savvy
generation, they’re still adaptable. And what some may lack in
the technology department, they often make up for with sharp
one-on-one interpersonal skills.
6
SPRING / SUMMER 2020
Long-Term Care
Insurance
Catch-up
retirement funding
Who They Are
Traditionalists are known for their loyalty to their employer,
many of whom have stayed with the same employer throughout
their entire career. They exemplify the motto “an honest day’s
pay for an honest day’s work.” They see their long-term careers
as more of an obligation than an exciting adventure.
How They Work
Having lived through the Great Depression and World War
II eras, Traditionalists are known for their dedication and
resilience. Traditionalists work hard in the face of adversity and
expect the same of others. They also tend to respect authority
and are good team players.
What They Value
Traditionalists want to be valued and respected for their
experience at work. Milestone recognition, for example,
means a lot to them, especially if it’s done without fanfare.
They also value what their organization does and that it
is run in an ethical manner. They are open to feedback.
How They Like to be Recognized
Quiet recognition and feedback.