Ouch! The Painful Divide Between Generation X and the Boomers
Posted by Tammy Erickson on June 26, 2007 4:44 PM
The Boomer Century, a recent PBS special (first aired March 28, 2007), set off a torrent of vitriolic commentary. Whether you agree with the critics or not -- or even care about a TV show -- the existence and tone of the ensuing debate is worth considering seriously.
First, here’s a Boomer perspective on the show: It was a fun romp through some of the most important and formative events of our Boomer lives, hosted by one of our generation’s frequent spokesmen (and a good friend of mine) Ken Dychtwald.
The Xers responded with scorn and furry. Virginia Heffernan, writing in the venerable New York Times, said the show “labors to con us into sharing its fierce assumption that the only way to see the last 60 years of civilization is through the collective ego of the American children born between 1946 and 1964.” In her view, the show did little but “relive Kennedy assassination clichés and revisit palaver about idealism, disillusionment and self-discovery.”
She only opened the floodgates. Martin Kuz’s article in the San Francisco Weekly was titled, “Boomtastrophe.” Among other points, he claims Baby Boomers are “dragging the whole country down.” Regarding the show itself, he says, “shunning veracity, PBS presented The Boomer Century: 1946—2046. Billed as a documentary, it wove a narrative that hewed closer to mythology, depicting the Me Generation as mankind's gift to its own.”
Ouch.
Rest assured that Boomers answered back, but furthering that particular debate is not my objective today. (Google “The Boomer Century” if you want to read more from either side.)
Rather, let’s take a deep breath and reflect on the raw nerve this TV show exposed. As hard as it is for Boomers to believe, most members of Generation X are not your biggest fans. To many Xers, Boomers have been a continual thorn, always holding the vast majority of the “good jobs” and seemingly diminishing their limited economic opportunities yet further. Boomers have taken up far too much physical space and mental mindshare, often with an air of decided superiority and self-pre-occupation, for far too long. But despite lofty teenage promises, they have done little to better either corporations or broader world. The workplace that Boomers have managed has not been overly receptive to many Xers’ values and preferences. And, as Xers move into positions of increased authority, resentments related to the results of Boomers’ custodial roles -- of the environment, international relationships, the national debt -- are already beginning to surface.
Tammy Kobliuk offered the following thoughtful response to one of my earlier posts: “In my last office I was one of the few Gen Xers working with a large number of Baby Boomers. There is a definite culture difference between the two groups despite an often small separation in age. Gen Xers are more concerned with finding the right job for them, regardless of which company, instead of sticking with a company and hoping to climb the ladder. I have found many Boomers to be very ambitious and concerned with climbing the ladder. Many are unhappy in their jobs yet don't consider leaving their organizations. Gen Xers, on the other hand, are often more concerned with a work-life balance where they work to live instead of live to work. Free time is highly valued, probably more so than money for many. We have seen Boomers fill and stay in management/ leadership positions thus resigning us to remain in the rank and file. We tend to job hop more than Boomers since company loyalty is not something we expect, having seen and been affected by the downsizing of the 80's and 90's. Boomers are seen by Gen Xers as a "me" generation. It's all about them. They got the jobs and the houses and we were left with the leftovers.”
Going forward, striking a respectful truce with Xers will need to become an important Boomer priority. Without it, there is the possibility of generational conflict and a paucity of talent to sustain the corporations Boomers have dedicated their lives to.
Repairing relations between these two generations may involve Boomers helping to make corporations more receptive to the needs of Generation X. It may involve getting out of their way gracefully, moving perhaps into individual contributor roles within corporations, and turning the reins of leadership over to them. Or, it may involve shifting Boomer priorities to demonstrate more of the generation’s good qualities: the passion and commitment to change that marked Boomer’s teen years. Boomers have the opportunity to use your large numbers in ways that will further agendas that X’ers would support, to be sensitive to their needs as a generation, as well as your own. Now’s the time.
Source: Harvard Business Review
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