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Generations? -oh yeah!
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Generations? -oh yeah!
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Wait a second there Jim!
Generational differences exist loud and clear, and as a young up-and-comer who considers herself very much a Gen Xer in an all Baby Boomer work-world, I couldn't disagree
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Forums » Topic Forums » Work Views » Generations? -oh yeah!
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Generations? -oh yeah!
posted at 10/16/2001 4:41 AM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: 10/16/2001 Last: 10/16/2001 |
Wait a second there Jim!
Generational differences exist loud and clear, and as a young up-and-comer who considers herself very much a Gen Xer in an all Baby Boomer work-world, I couldn't disagree with you more. Maybe 'we' are just like the 20 and 30somethings in the 1960's...so maybe the labels are wrong. But the concept and theory are perfectly sound. I am the youngest Manager on a team of 13, I am the only female. I have the most eduction, no dependents, I am 100% mobile; I know what I'm worth and go after what I want. I will not keep a job for 25 years, nor do I want one for that long. Does that sound like a baby boomer? I don't think so. In fact, it sounds a lot like my peers and friends, and other people from my...what's that word?...oh yeah...generation! Accepting and adapting to the ever-evolving generational groups is imperative in order to build and sustain an organization. If you don't embrace the differences, you just won't survive. Although naivity may lead to discrimination and stereotyping, any responsible leader will see through the generation label and get to the point. Talent is talent regardless of age! So, Jim...I respectfully don't buy your assessment, and thank you for your inspiration to get into the discussion. Sincerely, Kelly, the Gen Xer! |
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Generations? -oh yeah!
posted at 10/16/2001 11:14 AM EDT
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Posts: 5
First: 10/16/2001 Last: 11/2/2001 |
Kelly, in my experience middle-age people have some important differences in outlook than younger people in the workplace but that is not the theory of the generational personality. That is the belief that these differences are immutable and that you will take them with you throughout life.
You say that "Maybe 'we' are just like the 20 and 30somethings in the 1960's..." That is my point. Does your profile sounds to me like a Baby Boomer? It actually does remind me of Baby Boomers - in about 1975. Regards and thanks for responding. Jim Pruitt |
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Generations? -oh yeah!
posted at 10/16/2001 11:26 AM EDT
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Posts: 5
First: 10/16/2001 Last: 11/2/2001 |
If you agree with Kelly 110%, do you also agree with her that maybe Gen-Xers are like the 20 and 30somethings in the 1960's? If so, then you also agree with me.
I think the question can be framed: what is more influential for most people: the phase of life we are in or the impact of various societal events that happened around the time we were coming of age? I hold with the former. Another way of describing this view: we Baby Boomers were once Gen-Xers and you Gen-Xers will age -some minor differences aside - into people very much like today's Baby Boomers in about 20 years. Regards, Jim Pruitt |
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Generations? -oh yeah!
posted at 10/18/2001 10:52 AM EDT
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Posts: 2
First: 4/25/2001 Last: 10/18/2001 |
I definitely agree with Jim that a person's life stage (or maturity) is a much stronger influence on their priorities and values, and thus, actions, than their generational experiences. However, until someone has lived through a few life stages, they most likely will not understand this point because they have a more limited perspective. They have not yet observed how they themselves have matured and how their priorities have changed.
Understanding someone involves many variables, of which their generation is just one. Human beings are much too complex to be so easily explained away by what was going on when they were young. Jim, I've had a perspective like yours for several years. I've read most everything written on generations, and in my opinion, much of it is just too simplistic. The theories just don't stand up against what we know about human development and human behavior learned from valid research and studies. Thank you for sharing this perspective. |
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Generations? -oh yeah!
posted at 10/22/2001 1:12 AM EDT
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Posts: 2
First: 10/22/2001 Last: 4/12/2005 |
I think you will find that any generation may (not necessarily will) carry behavioral traits, beliefs,and values that are in common with other generations. The generations will have distinct characteristics that define them in general, based on their experiences, events of the time, etc.
The purpose of discussing generations is to point out not only the differences between the generations, but the similarities as well. In Diversity, it is important to understand the differences and similarities in order to foster an inclusive environment. |
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Generations? -oh yeah!
posted at 10/23/2001 7:20 AM EDT
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Posts: 5
First: 10/16/2001 Last: 11/2/2001 |
There are many problems with the conclusion that generations "will have distinct characteristics that define them in general, based on their experiences, events of the time., etc...." Among them:
1. It is probably true in some very small sense and in certain isolated cases, but it lacks context. The life cycle, demographic factors and individuality are much more important. If so, HR practioners are probably spending too much time on the topic. 2. To list the generational personality - again, when someone was born, not how old they are - as a diversity concern, overburdens a system that is already struggling to manage diversity. (I have a suspicion that managers, uncomfortable with talking about race, gender or gender orientation, find discussion about the "unique " issues of baby boomers to be a pleasant interruption from more pressing diversity issues.) 3. There is insufficient theoretical support of the theory of the generational personality. In my view: some of the recent HR books on the generations are appallingly bad and their uncritical acceptance by many HR professionals is hard to understand. |
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Generations? -oh yeah!
posted at 10/23/2001 12:52 PM EDT
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Posts: 5
First: 10/16/2001 Last: 11/2/2001 |
You are of course right and you express a good idea shared by fair-minded people and your point needs to be heeded.
But it has crucial differences from the debate on the generational personality. The theorists who promote the concept of the generational personality would have us believe that: 1. Americans born between two arbitrarily selected dates share a common personality due to societal events occurring at the time they were born, or were growing up or were coming of age. 2. Managers must recognize these differences as a matter of business survival. ( I would ask: whose business?) 3. This is a more challenging diversity problem than either race or gender. I am not a specialist in this field. But, the generational personality is, I believe, a poorly supported theory. I think HR practitioners ought to be questioning it. We have enough to do without making our jobs needlessly complex. |
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Generations? -oh yeah!
posted at 10/26/2001 9:53 AM EDT
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Posts: 132
First: 7/3/2001 Last: 5/12/2004 |
Jim, I believe you are not only on the mark with your comments, but are exceptionally articulate in making them. I agree wholeheartedly. The "debate" over generational personality distracts from more important issues in HR. |
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