Were you born between 1965 – 1980? If not, you quite likely have worked with someone born in that time frame. It is called Generation “X”.
Last week I was clearing out some old files and I came across some notes I had scribbled down in the fall of 1997. The notes pertained to things we should know when working with the Gen X-er’s. To my surprise, the recommendations and bits of wisdom were the same as what I read in an article last month. Here is what we now know is important when working with Generation “X”:
Every job is temporary. Every organization is a means to something better.
As a “latch key” generation, these folks are not comfortable being closely supervised. They are remarkably competent working on their own..YET…
They crave time with their supervisors and need continual feedback on their performance.
When we put all these pieces together, the second and third points seem contradictory. They want to be on their own, and they also want their bosses in there with them. Bottom line: If we work with Gen X-er’s, we need to make sure we give them latitude while at the same time be in there with them side-by-side giving sufficient acknowledgement and reinforcement.
