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 Generations are starting to collide. The faces of today's business leaders are taking on a younger appearance. From boardrooms to restaurants, a younger generation - Generation X - is bringing new ideas and technology and, in many cases, moving into positions of authority at a very young age. Gen X, for those who have been hibernating, is that new group of 20 and 30 somethings that seem to be moving into key corporate roles way before we did.
Growing up in a world shaped by computers, cutting edge technology and specialized skills has equipped Gen X for fast promotions. They have said goodbye to Sesame Street in the 1980's, lived on easy street in the 1990's, and are now saying hello to Wall Street just as we get Millennial. Have you found yourself under the leadership of a wrinkle-free boss? If so, here are some tips that might help you cope.
Make It Quick
Keep your presentations short and snappy. Generation X is cool under pressure. Gen X grew up playing Nintendo, watching T.V, and listening to music - all at the same time! The changing scenery on television every 20 seconds, taught them to process information quickly. Therefore, information to Gen X should be chunked into small bits, and presented quickly...let junior ask the questions. If you must talk for more than 5 -10 minutes pull up a laptop and explain yourself via power point presentation, but make it crisp - your boss doesn't want to miss Tae Bo.
Separate Work And Play
Keep work issues completely separate unless encouraged otherwise. Generation X likes to work alone. For them, competition is an individual goal. They participate less in team sports, and more in individual sports such as golf or tennis. Life balance is important to them, but it doesn't mean work/family balance. They want time to just "hang out", and probably not with you. But don't take it personally; it's a generational thing.
Learn From Your Boss
Hard as it may be, swallow your pride and find out why this person is doing so well. Previous generations gave years of service to one company. Intrinsic rewards came through job security and retirement benefits, and promotions came after years of hard work. However, Gen X has shown that it doesn't take years to obtain promotions. Americans are changing jobs faster than Michael Jordan makes comebacks. Gen Xers often see job-hopping as a way to learn more skills, and they are right. Suck it up, listen and learn. Some of these kids know their stuff - even if they still don't shave every day!
Keep Your Skills Fresh
Particularly computer skills. Gen Xers are the first to use the computer intuitively. They were the most sophisticated generation of teenagers ever known, with access to more information than ever before. Many Gen Xers schedule appointments with palm pilots, do work on laptops, and haven't touched a postage stamp in months thanks to on-line bill payment services. They now use the Internet to get most of their information - and in some cases even their college degree.
Get Comfortable With Technology
Generation X is techno savvy. Gen Xers grew up with microwaves, cable TV, cell phones, CD players, ATM's, and e-mail. Their lingo is "tight", and their computers are bragged about like Peggy Sue's Chevy convertible was bragged about in the 60's. This lifestyle, although not uncommon in 2001, would not have been possible just ten years ago.
So get with it - the new reality is that at some point we all will work for someone younger. If it helps, pierce your ear, your tongue, and your navel - but trends change. If you get a tattoo make it small and keep it private - but most importantly, don't do it to impress the boss - tomorrow he or she will be on to something new.
Tom Pearce is the President of iLead Consulting and Training. Tom has made a career of training, coaching and counseling others to achieve their most important personal and professional goals. He can be contacted at 972-569-8822.
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