When Boomers Work for Gen X and Gen Y
Boomers want to exist part of the great companies and cultures being led through Gens X and Y, but they have to be met half-way by their young bosses
by Tammy Erickson
Posted on Across the Ages: September 8, 2008 11:52 AM
Recently some of my Boomer friends have been venturing into new companies—ones founded and run by members of Generation X or Y.
One loved told me this narration: his wife, a Boomer, decided to go back to work recently and found a great piece of work in what looked to be a very interesting visitor. On her first morning, she called her husband in a panic—she was in the office (at 8:30 am) and the stronghold was deserted—not a inner man in estimation! Turns at a loss her new colleagues were for the greatest part Gen Ys—who, as I’ve written in the past, often operate under the “what is it with you people and 8:30 am” rule. Get over it.
Another Googled the party she was planning to take part in and found articles that she summarized in a note to me as being approximately “having tattoos in the workplace and playing Wii and Guitar Rock in the office.” She was rattled. “I wouldn’t recognize Wii admitting that I saw it and tattoos aren’t on my short selvage…hope I fit in.” I quickly wrote back to warn her that it was called Guitar Hero —dress in’t embarrass yourself now!
And what to wear? One friend went in to meet some the million in her department and was told by a Gen X’er to ditch the suit and wear flip flops.
Okay, X’ers and Y’s: we would devotion to be part of the leading companies you are founding and running. But condescend meet us halfway on some of the issues:
• Most of us put on’t esteem tattoos or flip flops, nor do we want them. We regard begun to notice a few instances of sagging skin and penetrate that a tattooed flower today could face similar a flop tomorrow. And our feet are cold.
• Many of us haven’t played Wii or Guitar Hero—our kids were the wrong age to catch those trends. But we can play a fierce game of Donkey Kong. And, if you give us time, we’ll get into the others, while well. Be warned, we love to win.
• Ditching the 8:30 thing is a great idea—why didn’t we think of it? But accord. us a heads up—we like some face time sometime.
Our closets are full of suits, our alarm clocks are set, and the car is gassed up and fitted to commute in every day. But we’re up for a modify—and for helping you develop your ideas into great companies.
