Hail to the (Gen X) Chief

Even in this new 2009 business climate, where all the media coverage and blogging seems to be focused on the bottom line and dealing with the downturn, there are still a lot of folks talking about the impact of generational differences in our workplaces, mainly Gen X and Gen Y. I read a couple of posts recently that really spoke to me…

First, on Harvard Business Publishing (yes, I’m a geek!), well-known author Tammy Erickson discusses how 2009 is all about a new generation of emerging power and how we’re playing corporate musical chairs and swapping roles where it makes sense. She says, with the election of Gen Xer President Barack Obama, a landmark change of the guard has been signaled. She says,

“Although the median age of serving CEOs is mid-fifties, most senior leaders are first tapped in their late forties. The new CEOs selected this year are likely to be X’ers. Boomers — competitive, productive — are beginning to move out of the top spots, but not necessarily out of the workforce. Like the Cabinet members, they’re increasingly easing into roles guided by the no-nonsense views of Generation X.”

And she goes on to talk about how Gen Y, although young, are no longer necessarily our entry level employees:

“Y’s are now, in many parts of the business world, fully integrating into the team — no longer an interesting minority, their numbers make them a vital constituency. Within a few short years they will be the largest group in the workforce.”

These demographic changes mark a new chapter in our discussion of managing the generations in the workplace. If we consider the different values and working styles of the generations, how do we structure the performance expectations and feedback that we deliver to them? How do we ensure, for example, that a Boomer who may be in a part-time senior advisory role at an organization is provided valuable and actionable feedback on his performance, or that we will properly recognize and promote a young team member into a management position based on merit instead of age?

Check out Erickson’s post, as well as a great historical review book she references, called Generations.

PS – Just a final brief note – the other post I saw is a cute one from our friend The Human Capitalist. He says Gen X is like the middle child of history – the Jan Brady, if you will. He talks about a possible battle between Gen X and Gen Y about who is better suited to take over from the Boomers. He doesn’t come to any conclusions, but he does reference several other bloggers who are talking about this – really worth checking out if this is an issue in your organization.

I don’t have my mind made up yet, but it’s an interesting issue, and one I’ll keep following. What do you think?