- "CD" means compact disc – not certificate of deposit - to GenXers
- GenXers pierce and tattoo their bodies in places we wish they wouldn't
- GenXers are missing the part of the genetic code that stimulates ironing or tucking in their clothes
- When they finally show up at work, GenXers frequently ask, "Why do we do it this way?"
- GenXers expect senior management positions within five minutes of college graduation
But managers aren't totally sour on this generation either. GenXers are flexible, they love training, they're risk-takers, they learn 4-5 new software titles each year, and they can program a VCR with one hand tied behind their back. GenXers are the first Americans who grew up with Apples™ that have memories!
For better or worse, Xers are here to stay. GenXers are not going to be replaced by people who act more like your parents. Right behind GenerationX is the Millennial generation (aka "Nexters" or "Echo Boomers"). Millennials are even more technically savvy, demanding, and creative!
Leaders must learn what makes the New Economy employee tick. Why? Because GenX turnover is a slow, steady bloodletting of human capital. It cripples departments and systems. Finding replacements swells recruiting budgets. Turnover can be prevented, but you have to be willing to learn tricks from the New Economy employment playbook.
So let's look at what makes young talent tick. Following are four S's of GenerationX. These are the cornerstones of understanding the world GenXers grew up in, and why they act the way they do.
Skeptical Gen Xers came of age as American institutions were crumbling. The Iran-Contra scandal, declining U.S. scores in math and science, the Challenger explosion, corporate downsizing and unemployment, high divorce rates, razorblades in Halloween candy, and faces of missing children were headlines as GenX children came of age in the 1960's, 70's and 80's. The result? A generation of young people who don't talk to strangers and rely on themselves. Gen Xers are skeptical. You have to earn their trust and respect.
Savvy Gen Xers were raised on a steady diet of technology and information. Video games, computers, and cable television exposed them to millions of megabytes of electronic stimuli, available 24 hours a day. This generation has no recall of the "old days" when all three networks went gray at 11pm to the sounds of the National Anthem. Today's young employees choose from hundreds of television channels, have access to millions of books, and online resources beyond number. They have adapted to the information overload, and learned to manage it. This is the bullet-point generation. They don't read long memos; they prefer short, get-to-the-point emails. Gen Xers use technology and other resources to sift through gobs of information and make informed decisions. They're info- and tech-savvy.
Self-reliant 40 percent of Gen Xers were raised in single parent households. This is America's first generation of latchkey children. They learned how to set the VCR, set the table, and set the agenda for what they wanted from dad on weekend visits. This generation is highly self-sufficient and can take care of themselves. Don't micromanage them. They want responsibility and credit for doing a good job. GenerationX is our first consumer group of multi-taskers. From early ages, they were watching TV, doing their homework, talking on the phone with friends, and having a snack. They rely on themselves to build the skills and networks that will take them from the break room to the boardroom.
Swift Gen Xers like fast computers, quick turn-around time and instant access. GenXers don't wait for stores to open. They do research, apply for loans, and comparison shop electronically, preferring to search online than wait inline. GenXers do face to face banking less than twice per year. Why? It's not convenient. And convenience is the name of the game. GenXers want to streamline their lives, to make things simpler, and swifter.
When dealing with the next generation, remember the 4 S's.
This article is an abridged excerpt from The Productivity Path by Rebecca (Morgan) Ryan et. al. published by Marocom, © 2001.
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