Will Boomers ever yield the stage? asks a headline of today’s USA Today (Nov 18, 2010). I don’t know. I know this: each generation is now moving into a new phase of life. Millennials are moving into young adulthood, GenXers are moving into midlife and that means, yes, dear Boomers, that you’re moving into elderhood.
I think a challenge the Boomers have is in their ruthlessness and view toward turf and title. They have a tendency to believe that others who want a say in how things are done want their turf! We’d all get along so much better were Boomers able to understand GenXers simply want to be effective in our chosen projects/work/attention areas. We’re not after jobs, titles and such, so much, but we’re fiercely focused on being effective and having our talents directed usefully.
My two cents: Boomers that don’t yield the stage and move toward collaboration will be marginalized, so the question, in the end, is moot. As the cycle moves on, each generation moves into its role in life. Elderhood doesn’t mean kicked out; but it does mean “not at the helm of operations.” Sage counsel, trusted advisor, yes! Boss over minions? Enough already. #MoveON
