Boomers and Gen Xers have different work habits. Boomers value putting in long hours and Gen X employees are concerned with completing work and less on the time it takes.
I am the executive coach of a young executive in a privately owned company. The Baby Boomer owners value "face time". The company culture strongly encourages hard work and long hours. The Gen X executive gets her work done, but has other priorities. There is a clash between how the generations view work.
What coaching suggestions would you have in this scenario?
Time Magazine offered this definition of Boomers and Gen Xers in “Great Xpectations” (June 9, 1997):
“ ‘Boomers,’ born from 1946 to 1965 grew up in affluence: Economic progress was assumed, freeing them to focus on idealism and personal growth. Young Xers, however, lurched through the recession of the early ’80s, only to see the mid-decade glitz dissipate in the 1987 stock-market crash and the recession of 1990–91. Gen X could never presume success.
In their new book, Rocking the Ages, Yankelovich’s Walker Smith and his colleague Ann Clurman blame Xers’ woes on their parents: ‘Forget what the idealistic boomers, intended,’ Xers say, ‘and look at instead what they actually did: Divorce. Latchkey kids. Homelessness. Soaring national debt. Bankrupt Social Security. Holes in the ozone layer. Crack. Downsizing and layoffs. Urban deterioration. Gangs. Junk bonds…’ ”
Hours and Output
Another major difference between Boomers and Gen Xers — and an ongoing source of contention — is work habits. Boomers pride themselves on putting in long hours and being the first one into the office and last to leave. They have a stereotypical idea of Gen X employees: slackers unwilling to put in enough time.
But Gen Xers think of hard work as effective output. They are unwilling to put in long hours once they have produced the necessary output for that day. They’re less concerned about who sees them in the office, and they largely reject Boomers’ definition of hard work.
Gen Xers grew up observing their parents’ roller-coaster ride in the workplace: layoffs, downsizings, difficulties with bosses and years of hard work without anticipated rewards.
Instead, new workers consider control of their time the primary goal, even if extended hours lead to monetary benefits.
What are your thoughts on Boomers vs Gen Xers work habits?
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