Interview with an Xpert

As part of my quest to understand how all the generations relate in the workplace, I sought out the GenerationXpert. A few Generation Xers jumped on my recent post about how the Boomer-X-Y dichotomy affects the workplace. I was intrigued.

Among those who commented on my post was Suzanne Kart (at left), author of the blog GenerationXpert. She recently posted about those pesky Y bloggers (yes, she linked to me) who sometimes blame X for cramping our Yness. It made me think -- wait -- what is this generation aside from a letter ahead of me in the alphabet anyway? So I e-mailed the Xpert, and here's what she had to say (links added by me):

Me: It came to my attention recently that I completely disregarded Generation X as its own unique group. This seems to happen a lot: Gen X is lumped in with either the Boomers or the Yers. Do you feel like a "middle child" sometimes? What makes Gen X unique from either of these groups?

Suzanne: I don't think we feel like the middle child as much as a secret society. Jeff Gordinier talks about this in his book X Saves the World. Here's a YouTube clip where he discusses this:



Xers are pretty much done fighting. They roll their eyes at being lumped in with other groups. We took a lot of grief from the Boomers when we entered the workforce, and what happened is we just stopped arguing. If you compared Gen X to an ad slogan, it would be "Just Do It." That's one of the ways that Xers get frustrated with Boomers and Ys. We don't want to talk about it, we just want to figure it out and get it done. Gordinier uses this line about how Xers just do their thing and don't want to have a parade about it. I think he's on the mark there. That's why I think Xers are the real change agents. I would compare us to the Silent Generation. Members of that group including MLK, Malcolm X, Gloria Steinem. But who takes credit for the equal rights movements? Boomers.

I have a lot of respect for Boomers and a lot of hope for Ys, so I don't want this to be taken as a "we're better than you" thing. It's easy to see why Ys would lump us with Boomers, because often we don't take the time to correct you. Again, we're done arguing. We just do our thing. I think Xers are stealthy in the way they operate. They just do things, but don't tell you. The founders of Google and Amazon.com didn't announce they were Xers. They just did their thing.

How do you in Generation X see Generation Y? Are we following in your footsteps in some ways?

I think it's interesting how much attention is given to how small of a generation Gen X is ... The years that define X are less than those that define the Boomers or Ys. The oldest Boomer is 19 years older than the oldest Xer. The oldest Xer is only 13 years older than the oldest Y. So we're actually closer in age than it seems. And the bulk of Xers are the younger Xers, while the bulk of the Boomers are the older Boomers. When my mom graduated from high school, they didn't even have color television. But I was using Mac computers in high school. The difference between 1989 and 2008 is a lot less than the difference between 1969 and 1989. Xers can relate more to the Y experience than they let on.

Frankly, there's not a whole lot of difference between X and Y, except their current life stage. Xers grew up with the same kind of constant technological change as the Ys, which is the big reason Xers were different than Boomers. The technology changed the way we communicate. It changed the way we're hardwired.

I think that the Ys who are graduating college right now will end up being very "X," because this economy is very similar to that when we graduated from college. It makes you tough and self-reliant. I don't buy into the Gen Y stereotype that they can't take of themselves. They are just young, and you are different in your 20s than in your 30s. What frustrates Xers about Ys is that they don't have as much of the "I'll figure it out myself" attitude. We feel like we have to explain everything (and nobody explained ANYTHING to us). That being said, a little gratitude goes a long way. I have found that when I've worked with Ys who were thankful for my help -- then actually used the advice -- I didn't mind explaining to them.

So, what are the three words that sum up Gen X?

Smart. Independent. Change agents. (I know that's four words, but I think you'll forgive me:) )

You've been there, done that, and know how to deal with the Baby Boomers. In the workplace, what advice would you give Generation Y to succeed?

Boomers are VERY process-oriented. Xers and Ys are more outcome-oriented (i.e. I don't care how you do it, just get it done.) If you are being managed by Boomers, you just have to suck it up and deal with it. If you are managing Boomers, you need to make sure they know HOW to do what you ask, because if you don't tell them, they can freeze up and not accomplish anything. They believe there is a right way and a wrong way to do things and are very fearful of doing it the wrong way. Xers and Ys don't buy into this, so we often don't even realize that's what's going on with the Boomers.

What on earth do you see happening when Generation Z comes along???

That's an easy one. Zs are the Xers kids. We'll be fine. We think our kids are geniuses. But they'll drive you guys nuts. It's all cyclical. You'll be asking yourself, "Why the f do they think I'm so old?" They'll tell you how many better ideas they have and how theirs is the greatest generation. And in some ways they will be right. If each generation is doing their job, then the next generation SHOULD be a little better than the previous. However, when the dust settles, you'll see the value in wisdom. Last summer, my husband's 21-year-old nephew (we're 37) said to him, "What, aren't you like 37?" It took a minute for us to realize he was ripping on him. I felt the same way when I was 21. It's hard to imagine when you're younger that you'd like your life even better when you're older. It's because you have a deeper understanding of things (even if you can't figure out your Blackberry). So when Z comes along, you'll be ready for them. And we will be at an X-themed retirement village jamming out to Motley Crue and watching reruns of Melrose Place.

***

I won't add much, because I want to let the Xpert's thoughts soak in for me and for you. Except, *cringe* at those last two cultural references! Also, I didn't know Generation Z was legit, I was just throwing that out there (pretty good guess)!

So, what do you think about the Xpert breakdown, or Gen X and the alphabet soup in general?