Generation X - Sandwiched Between Baby Boomers and Gen Y and Forgotten
Christen Uber July 10, 2007
Somewhere out there another article or blog this week will address the Baby Boomers retiring or discuss how to manage Gen Y in today’s ever changing workplace. Honestly, as a Gen X, I am tired of hearing about either generation and for a moment would like to spotlight the “Sandwich Generation” - Gen X. Back in May 2003 Time Magazine wrote an article focusing on “the sandwich generation” referring to 30 and 40 something adults sandwiched between caring for both young children (some Millennials) and aging adults (Boomers) and the financial stress it placed. Financial responsibility should not be our only concern.
Within the workplace Gen X is sandwiched between Baby Boomers and Gen Y and have been forgotten. However, the contributions we make are ideal for today’s workforce. From my perspective Gen X is the best of the Baby Boomers and Gen Y combined. Evolving into mid-level and upper-level management positions we bring with us maturity, adaptability, flexibility and team orientation as pointed out by a recent blog article “Why Generation X Managers are Different”. Not to mention technical acumen greater than the Baby Boomer Generation ever acquired or applied. We have the ability and comfort to multi-task with the utilization of blackberry’s, cell phones, and email just as well as the Gen Y. We acquired the professional etiquette and soft business skills from the Baby Boomers providing the workplace environment with the professionalism and traditionalism it so desperately is afraid of losing. Staying in touch with all levels of the organization utilized by respected Baby Boomer Leadership is not lost on us either. Based on our team orientation, preferably we like to speak with people face to face or in group meetings rather than emailing the colleague in the next cube or picking up the phone to call the colleague across the hall; in some cases bringing a more comfortable social interaction than Gen Y.
Granted we do separate ourselves from the Baby Boomers with our desires for a greater work/Life balance and flexibility. The 60 hour work week is not desirable to us. The book The Next Revolution: What Gen X Women Want at Work and how their Boomer Bosses Can Help Them Get shows :
- 61% of Xer women said they’d leave their job for one that was more flexible
- 51% of Gen Xers said they’d quit if another employer offered them the chance to telecommute
However, with our ability to multi-task, work independently, autonomously and no need for micro-managing coupled with technological advances we can produce the same quality and amount of work without missing our children’s school plays, t-ball games or nightly dinners at 6:30 pm.
Gen X might not be as large demographically as the Baby Boomers and Gen Y but we do bridge the gap between two extremely different generations very welll. Gen X will help the traditions and business savvy of the Baby Boomers remain apparent in the workplace while taking advantage of the techno-literacy of Gen Y. The next time you read an article about either the Baby Boomers of Gen Y ask yourself where is Gen X? The answer – bridging the gap between the two and getting the job done.
Posted in Human Resources, Recruiting, Recruiting Consulting, Retention, Workforce Management
July 11th, 2007 at 7:59 am
Your comments are eerily redolent of a recent conversation between my colleagues. So much recruiting work emphasizes the connection with GEN Y and their socially aware yet entitlement centered egotism. We understand the hard stuff about this group - they are digital, inexperienced, very educated - but they are also soft. And the millenials want so much while giving so little. We ameliorate our recruiting efforts with these characteristics in mind to attract these future business leaders but shun the leaders of today because these are not the qualities and characteristics of Gen X. If Gen X were a TV show, we’d be MacGyver. Gen Y is Heroes.
July 11th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Christen,
I am a Gen Yer working for a Gen X boss, and I couldn’t agree with you more on the point that Gen X has had a great impact and plays an important role. Gen X may be small, but they are mighty. I don’t think that Gen Y would have their sights set so high if we didn’t have very accomplished Gen Xers to look to - and see their success at not conforming to the Boomer formulas for success. Just look at Sergy Brin and Larry Page, for example. Where would we all be without their garage start-up? We in Gen Y grew up in a time where the world was changing in a way that empowers everyone - and it was changing in large part thanks to some very innovative Gen Xers.
I’m curious what you would think about my most current post on my blog about what sets Gen Y apart. Anyway, I really enjoyed this post. Keep up the good blogging!
July 11th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Thanks for the Gen Y perspective, it is greatly appreciated. Your blog is great! I had a chance read it and commented. I look forward to your future insights!
July 11th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Ben,
Love the analogy! What I have observed from the Gen Yers, I have worked with, is they possess a very define line between their professional life and personally life. The perspective of “to what is needed to get the job done” even if that spills into their personal time is not accepted or practiced.
July 12th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
I think the above comments are great !!!
Something everybody has to consider is who exactly is gen x, gen y, etc. Our profile, if you decide to take it, will show that sometimes peoples traits and tendencies aren’t necessarily reflected by age. Who you guys think are gen y(ages 20ish and under) might actually act upon the traits and tendencies of their grandparents. Take our profile, for free, below, and see for yourself.
http://www.generationalprofiles.com/myprofile/