“Talkin’ ‘bout my generation”

Article by Bonnie D. Monych, CPC, CM

Your WorkPlace Doctor

Many, many people have heard the following lyrics by the Who:

People try to put us d-down (Talkin bout my generation)

Just because we get around (Talkin bout my generation)

Things they do look awful c-c-cold (Talkin bout my generation)

I hope I die before I get old (Talkin bout my generation)

This is my generation

This is my generation, baby

Why don’t you all f-fade away (Talkin bout my generation)

And don’t try to dig what we all s-s-say (Talkin bout my generation)

I’m not trying to cause a big s-s-sensation (Talkin bout my generation)

I’m just talkin’ ‘bout my g-g-g-generation (Talkin bout my generation)

This song was written by Pete Townsend at age 20 in 1965. It continues to be one of the most
popular and most played songs in musical history, being in the Grammy Hall of Fame and in
2009 it was listed as the 37th Greatest Hard Rock Songs by VHI. Seems hard to believe that 45
years later it is still considered to be the ‘mantra’ for each new generation. The generational
topic in the workplace has most recently began to take center stage in the area of Diversity
and Inclusion. For the first time in our history, there are four generations in the workplace
and everyone is wondering how to cope. The four generations are Veterans (born 1900-
1945); Boomers (born 1946-1964); Gen Xers (born 1965-1980) and the Gen Y’s (born 1981-
1999). You may have heard Gen Y’s called Millenials or Net Gens and Veterans have been
called Matures or Traditionalists but it all goes to the year we are born. It is also important to
understand that there are ‘cuspers’ which are those born ‘on the cusp’. For example, my
oldest daughter was born in 1980, so she would be a ‘cusper’, probably demonstrating both
Gen Xer characteristics and Gen Y characteristics.
For the most part, my experience in the workplace has displayed a much simpler divide, old
and young! As shared in the lyrics ‘I hope I die before I get old’ this fear of getting old, being
‘out of date’; ‘too old to change’; ‘can’t teach and old dog new tricks’ permeates with young
workers. Our older workers lament that the young are ‘slackers’; have no ‘business
etiquette’; ‘don’t pay their dues’; and lack common business sense.

Each and every one of us has our own filters that we look through based upon our gender,
culture, religion, race, and age. My experience in working with thousands of people in the
workplace has shown me that the one that everyone feels most comfortable talking about is
the age filter. THIS IS GREAT NEWS! Discussing our differences and being able to laugh about
them is a great start in figuring out how to turn these differences into valuable resources for
each of us. Sharing our experiences with one another begins to build the gap—the
generation gap. The next time you wonder why that young kid down the hall that never
seems to look up from his cell phone; mumbles every time they speak and can’t seem to
understand the ‘dress code’ was hired you might keep in mind that they are wondering how
that old dude down the hall manages to find his way to his desk without his glasses; takes 30
minutes to answer a ‘yes or no’ question; and can’t seem to conquer the simplest task on the
computer was hired! You see, we are much more alike than we think. I promise you the lyric
‘Why don’t you all f-fade away’ isn’t the answer! The answer is learning the value of
embracing differences. We will always have a ‘new generation’ joining us in the workplace
and one day, everyone will become the ‘old dog.’

For the Veterans, I suggest you let your younger colleagues know that you need to be heard
and that you have invaluable company history to share. For the Boomers, I suggest that you
let your younger colleagues know that you need respect and you have survived the single
most dramatic job displacement event in Corporate America. For the Gen Xers, I suggest that
you let your younger colleagues know that you created most of the technology that they see
as an entitlement and that your generation almost single-handedly brought about the widely
embraced ‘work/life balance’ that we take for granted. Finally, for the Gen Y’s I suggest that
you share the benefits of your need for cutting edge technology and that you accept the fact
that every new generation does have to ‘pay their dues’ and you will be no exception! And. . .

The Beat Goes On! (Sonny & Cher 1967)

www.yourworkplacedoctor.com

“Get Your Shift Together: The Secret to Working with Multiple Generations”