The Rise of Generation X: Countdown to 2020
Originally published February 2, 2015 on LinkedIn.com
Generation X has been virtually ignored in academic literature and professional forums on workforce planning and leadership succession. The rationale for exclusion is usually based on the claim that the “middle child” generation between Baby Boomers and Millennials (or Generation Y) is so much smaller in comparison. In reality, this assertion is overstated and often based on arbitrary generational delineations. If you read a dozen articles or research papers on generation populations you’ll get at least three to four different definitions of when the generations begin and end, especially as it relates to Generations X and Y. Pew Research Center is one of the most credible resources for understanding demographic trends and issues, and will therefore serve as the primary reference for generational designations in this discussion.
It’s time for today’s executives, talent managers and HR experts to pay attention to Generation X.
While the Baby Boomer (born 1946–1964) and Millennial (1981–1997 according to Pew; about 1980 to 2000 according to most sources) generations originated during periods of high birth rates, and currently have populations of approximately 75 million and 75 to 80 million respectively, Gen X (1965–1980) has a population of almost 66 million in the United States. The X population is hardly insignificant and it is time for today’s executives, talent managers and human capital experts to incorporate this demographic in their workforce projections and take a close look at the forgotten generation.
For many of us, the Gen X career journey was much like our adolescence: independent, unpredictable and disruptive. In the post 9–11 world of terrorist-induced fear, it’s important to remember that we grew up in a time of homegrown dangers; including one of the worst crime periods in American history filled with gangs and drugs (“Just say no”), as well as the HIV/AIDS crisis, among other social ills. We also witnessed the breaking of the traditional employer-employee contract as corporate downsizing and massive lay-offs became the new normal and displaced our parents. As adults, when we finally were able to get some valuable work experience on our resumes, the Great Recession erupted and younger Xers who were less established got hit especially hard.
So, how have we coped, survived and even succeeded under these circumstances? By not taking life too seriously and holding on to an irreverent sense of humor always simmering just below the surface. Chris Rock (pictured left), Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Margaret Cho, Sarah Silverman and Kevin Hart are Gen X patron saints, and John Stewart and Wanda Sykes get honorary mentions (because they fall on the cusp of where the Boomer generation ends, but definitely have a Gen X sensibility). Many of us know how to play the game, but we’d rather “keep it real” and dispense with all the B.S. that plagues too much of Corporate America and the U.S. government. In other words, our disposition does not always fit within the workplace and political reality as it exists today, but we are battle-tested realists who now have the benefit of experience, and increasingly wisdom, on our side.
In EY’s 2013 generational survey of 1,215 company professionals, Generation X received the highest rankings compared to Generation Y and Boomers in terms of being considered a productive member of the organization (73% of respondents), a “team player” (65%) and “nurturing and essential for development opportunities” (56%). Gen X also received top scores for being a “revenue generator,” “relationship builder” and demonstrating entrepreneurial acumen.
Given the common association of entrepreneurship and innovation with Millennials it may seem surprising that Gen Xers outscored Gen Y in the study. Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, is the Millennial poster child for successful, entrepreneurial ventures. He is now joined by a host of Y peers such as
CEO/founders Kevin Systrom (Instagram) and Evan Spiegel (Snapchat). What has to be emphasized with all three young founders is that when it was time to scale their enterprises, strengthen their business models and improve overall efficiency they hired three Gen Xers as COOs: Sheryl Sandberg (Facebook, pictured in top photo), Emily White (Instagram) and Marne Levine (Snapchat).
There are also some very successful Gen X CEOs and/or founders out there, including Larry Page and Sergey Brin (Google), Jack Dorsey (Twitter), Tony Hsieh (Zappos, pictured above) and Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn). Marissa Mayer also has to be acknowledged as both a Gen X CEO and virtual founder of Yahoo!’s second coming.
“Gen X was viewed as the generation best equipped to manage in current economic conditions as well as in 2020,” according to 80% of survey respondents. — EY
By the year 2020 it is estimated that 55 million jobs will be created as Baby Boomers retire. It is commonly known that The Recession delayed the retirement plans for many boomers due to lost stock and mutual fund values, but this fact has only delayed the inevitable. The looming leadership shortage will impact every sector of society from business, to nonprofit, to government. While a range of Millennial superstars will be catapulted to fill the leadership vacuum, Generation X will bear much of the responsibility for carrying the torch before our younger colleagues are fully in position to rule the world.
Tammy Erickson, a leading organizational thought leader, has written that “I am confident that Generation X includes many individuals with the essential capabilities for today’s leadership challenges. This cohort is more prepared than any other modern generation to trade idealism for realism. It will provide the leaders we need for the companies of the future.” Indeed, it will be the “yin” of our realism that will complement the “yang” of Millennial idealism. If the strengths of both generations are leveraged effectively (and our differences are managed properly) we will build upon the legacy of our predecessors and become the most powerful and transformative, generational coalition that history has ever seen.
