As a Gen X (born between 1965 and 1980) I am sandwiched between Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) and Millennials (born somewhere between 1981 to 1995).
I’ll often hear criticism about Millennials however I don’t have much time for that. I also understand where Millennials, as a cohort, could benefit by emulating their elders. We have more common ground than we realize, 
and I think that is where our focus should be. In the interest of balance, here are 8 perspectives that I offer with the hope that it inspires more common ground.
To Millennials, I say thank you.
- Thank you for reminding us about the importance of purpose. Through my work, I want to contribute to something that matters, something bigger than me. That so many Millennials live those values has reinforced and legitimized that belief in me.
- Thank you for reminding us that the experiences we have on a teams matter and creating a workplace that includes everyone makes work better and makes better work. We are wired for connection so how we get along with our colleagues and leaders makes the day either stressful and long or fulfilling and quick
- Thank you for remembering the importance of life outside of work. I love my work and I work hard but yes, I have sometimes lost sight of other aspects of my life that matter, such as my family and my health. You have questioned how long we work, how much we work and where we work. These are important conversations.
- Thank you for raising the bar and expecting more of our workplaces and from people in leadership positions. I’ve seen Millennials who speak up or look for another job when confronted with bullying or abrasive behaviour from managers and co-workers. Good going. We all benefit from that.
To Millennials, I offer you this advice.
- Watch for stereotypes. Odious assumptions cut both ways. Many of the more tenured individuals in the workplace care about the environment, are technically adept and want many of the same things from work that you do.
- Be patient. It takes time to build relationships and careers. Slow down, put the phone down and connect with others. Don’t be discouraged if your salary or position isn’t where you want it to be and recognize that the people you are asking for reinforcement and advancement faced the same challenges you do. Play the long game.
- Check your level of judgement. If you find yourself dismissing the decisions of leaders you don’t agree with, be curious and ask questions instead. Consider and understand what influences they may be weighing and the trade-offs they must consider.
- Be open. Working with other generations can be a source of learning and you can find practices that you might benefit from emulating. Sometimes practices that seem rigid at first may be more about discipline and accountability. Take the best of each generation’s characteristics and incorporate those values into your work practices.
At the end of the day, open minds and open hearts are necessary for any member of any cohort to benefit from our shared workplace experience.
