One thing I have observed during my nearly 20-year career in journalism and public relations is that in the face of egotistical, power-wielding leaders, members of my generation, Generation X (born between 1961-81), often responded with resignation and surrender. In the board room and at staff meetings, my peers were often silent, afraid to do what Copyblogger this week said was required of great leaders: the courage to be wrong. Instead, my peers kept their brilliant ideas and solutions to themselves, afraid of being ignored or shot down.
Shut Up. Put Up. March a Straight Line.
Some of these peers were women, but the large majority of them were men. It was painful to watch, but I suppose the sacrifice was required. Entering the workforce during re-engineerings and reductions in force, they all learned to shut up, put up and march a straight line. After all, most of them had wives and children at home. They were the sole or primary breadwinners, and sadly, I think I've witnessed a lot of Gen X heart attacks in the making during my career.
Will You Choose Things or Great Things?
I often wonder, now that our country is in such dire straits economically, how much better things might be had Generation X been given more opportunities to lead projects and implement their innovative ideas. I will never, as long as I live, understand the fragile mindset that seeks to dominate co-workers and subordinates in an effort to control whatever spotlight might shine on their contributions. Truly, people who do this are not leaders. In fact, they are negligent, hurting the very organizations they are called upon to serve. It's shocking, really, and I no longer have time to mess with them. I have a calling on my life to not just do things, but great things, and so do you.
Is Generation X Unfit to Lead? Some Think So.
So, when I read things like the following paragraph, I get really amped-out that my Generation is going to just take it. I hate to play the victim, because after all, I'm fat and happy in America, and I could be living in a box on a sidewalk in some third world country. Perspective is key. But, still, in this culture, in this country, my Generation is at risk of being completely steam-rolled. Consider this excerpt from a book about generations, which says Generation X is unfit to lead.
At an executive leadership level, most “silo-thinking” Xers will be hard-pressed to succeed when managing large departments or even teams of more than a dozen people. Only those who can look beyond their own inclinations will rise through the ranks, especially in large companies. And because Millennials are so good at big teams, you could see the younger generation leapfrogging into executive leadership positions with tribes of Generation X managers reporting to them.
A List
That's why for the rest of this blog's life, I'm going to name 5-10 people born between 1961-1981 EVERY MONTH to the unofficial-super-duper-ally-ooper list of Gen Xers making a difference in OKC, the USA, the Milky Way! If you have a suggestion for this list, email me at jenx67[at]cox[dot]net. THIS IS INTENDED TO BE FUN, so join in!
Are you there, Generation X? It's me, God, and I think you rock.
14 comments:
I think, sadly, that the impact of GenerationX, both in influence and ideas, will only be felt upon our passing. The small stones we've thrown in the pond may not make a big splash now -- but the ripples will echo much, much farther into the ocean we journey into.
Is generation x fit to lead ... well I'm sorry but leadership is not a fitness test, if every leader had to past a 'fit' test then there would be no leaders as no one would score 100%.
In recetn years some of our leaders have been defined by very unfit acts ... Is receiving head jobs from junior staff leaderhip fitness, is cheating on your family leadership, is misusing public funds leadership ...
No one waits till they are 'fit to lead' - you just either lead or are led. I prefer the leadership bit not because of the spot light it brings me but because of the spot light I can shine on others ... that is the fun part.
If there is a gen x out there, reading this, who is waiting to lead, STOP. Just take the initiative and lead. You don't need a title or the car park space to be a leader. What you need is the will and desire. And the ability to influence. Plus the ability to take a few on the chin and bounce up smiling.
Leadership can come in many guises and you just have to find the one that is true to you. Your natural leadership space.
Go on .. what is the worse that can happen ... a bruised ego or a lesson in life ... it's all the better for living more.
Jen loved this post ... the enemy of our great is our good - you are great - le xoxoxo
@NAOMI - Well, I've come to trust your insights very much, which makes this very hard to swallow. And, what are the small stones? How do you define them? That is something I'll enjoy pondering.
@LE - That organization is lucky to be getting you, Le. This comment is post-worthy. And, the titles and parking space are highly over-rated if they come at the expense of creativity and innovation. You're brilliant, and I love the idea of the fun part being about shining a light one someone else!!
I was wondering where it is you get the Idea of GEN X starting @ 1961?
I have always been led to believe that from 1945-1964 is the Baby Boomers Generation.
For over 41 years, I have been told this by the government , the schools systems, and the bureaucracies. I am just curious how and when this has changed.
BTW: I do enjoy your blog.
@JOHN - That is a fair question. When I started this blog, I decided to use the defintion of Generation X provided by generational researchers Neil Howe and the late William Strauss, who define Gen X as 1961 to 1981. Defintions do vary among experts. I wanted to be inclusive of anyone who might identify him or herself as Gen X, so I used the broadest definiton possible. This serves well for a blog that is not academic in nature, but rather seeks to work out a personal memoir while addressing the larger challenges of career, family and religion for my generation.
I appreciate the question. I'm so glad you enjoy the blog. Here is a link you may find interesting.
http://www.fourthturning.com/my_html/body_generations_in_history.html
There are so many people out there doing great things - I think your idea to highlight some of them is fabulous!
Jen, we ARE a generation of very talented individuals, and the more awareness you shed on this, the better!
Awesome ideas!!
Hey Jen, This is exactly the kind of commentary that made me hate being a part of Generation X when I was younger. We have to ask ourselves though- are the ex-hippes fit to lead? If we look at how they acted when they were a younger generation, then we will see their elders criticism of them. Every generation matures and the qualities needed to sustain a society develop within them when they have children of their own and realize the world is in their hands now.
@LOREN - casting Gen X as "unfit to lead" has great benefits for Boomers and Gen Y. They outnumber us and wrongly assume they can control an outcome. Haven't they read that tired quote from Margaret Mead - the only thing that's ever changed anything were a few people...negative stereotypes have long hurt Gen X. Jen here is trying to change things. hahahaha!
@LANCE - well, you, for one! A true leader, and we benefit from it. Every time I see your name on my blog, I can't believe you took the time to visit. Thank you!
Jen, once again you amaze me with your insight. It seems like since I've come across your blog and read Jeff Gordinier's brilliant book "X Saves the World," I've become more and more proud of our generation. I think we really are a generation that gets things done, but what we are not are blatant self-promoters. I guess we'd rather let our work speak itself. Perhaps we won't get our due until we're peeing into our Depends, but we will get it.
However, I'd like us to get our due while I'm still relatively young and cute, so I'm thrilled you are using your blog to highlight the great work countless Gen X-ers are doing. You're the best!
@JENNIFER K - I do wonder how the ruthless self promotion escaped Gen X. I hope my Gen X buds get SOME credit during their lifetimes. I'm totally betting on it. I'm starting a revolution. =) That last line about young and cute made me smile big.
Hey Jen,call your revolution the "JENVOLUTION." I've decided to start writing posts about GEN X-ers who don't get enough attention from the media focusing mostly on those in pop culture and entertainment.
Ahem, regarding standing up to our Baby Boomer overlords. How many of us offered up our idea, opinions, or pointed out issues and problems to our boomer bosses only to be shot down and end up with a target on our backs? Boomers said, "Question authority," but they sure can't handle anyone questioning their own?
The people at most companies I worked at are like that (afraid to speak out). The exception was Intel, most people there are not afraid to get in your face and challenge you on your course of action.
Excellent post as always Jen.
Recognising and understanding generational differences can help everyone learn to work together more effectively and transform the workplace from a generation war zone to an age-diverse and productive team.
You have talked about Baby Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y, so what about Gen Z?
Gen Z is set to occupy roughly 10 per cent of the workforce by 2020, experts predict that with Generation Z there will be a return to values such as respect, responsibility and restraint.
However, with the way technology is heading, most of the jobs that Gen Z will be filling have not even been created yet. The mind boggles.
I know you will NEVER SURRENDER Jen!
Namaste
Peggy
@MIRUSPEG - Great comment. I want to know more about GEN Z and all these kinds of predictions b/c my kiddies are Gen Z!
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