{"id":48273,"date":"2012-09-05T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2012-09-05T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/gen-x-and-gen-y-the-age-class-warfare-that-wasnt\/"},"modified":"2012-08-30T13:08:13","modified_gmt":"2012-08-30T13:08:13","slug":"gen-x-and-gen-y-the-age-class-warfare-that-wasnt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/2\/28852\/it-business\/gen-x-and-gen-y-the-age-class-warfare-that-wasnt","title":{"rendered":"Gen X and Gen Y: The Age-Class Warfare That Wasn’t"},"content":{"rendered":"
When it comes to discussing the modern workplace – especially the technology workplace – there is nothing more divisive than the debate about which generation of workers, Gen X (those born between 1960 and 1980) or Gen Y (those born between 1981 and 2000), provides greater value. The discussion, which is worthy of exploration, seems to always devolve into Gen Xers bemoaning their younger counterparts’ sense of entitlement, while Gen Yers (also called "Millennials") whine about how Gen X just doesn’t get it. But just as unruly teenagers must coexist with their oppressive, out-of-touch parents, Gen X and Gen Y need to learn to get along – and somehow get some work done. <\/p>\n <\/span> If you believe the media, Gen X and Gen Y are at war in the workplace. You have to admit that it makes for a great story: Older generations of workers feeling threatened by a younger (and cheaper) workforce that is displacing them in an uncertain economy, grasping at anything that makes them seem more valuable, that will make them immune to layoffs. Meanwhile, younger workers doing anything they can to prove that their familiarity with technology will outweigh actual real-world experience so they can kickstart a career in an excruciatingly scrappy job market. (For some background reading, check out Millennials and Tech Jobs: A Match Made in Heaven?<\/a>)<\/p>\n <\/span> Indeed, this scenario might very well exist, perpetuating the idea that Gen X and Gen Y actually have competing motives. But that isn’t the whole truth, because it suggests that there’s only room at the table for one – either Gen X or Gen Y. The truth is that the war between Gen X and Gen Y isn’t so much a war as a struggle for coexistence. Because despite all the frustration both groups might feel for each other, their strengths and weaknesses actually complement each other<\/span> and help to create a more efficient<\/span> workplace ecosystem. Consider the perennial example of social media<\/a> in the workplace. There are plenty of statistics that illustrate how Gen X workers – and their older peers – are leading the way when it comes to adopting social media technology and are the fastest-growing<\/span> demographic among social media practitioners. This might suggest that Gen X is at least as adept at technology and innovation as the celebrated digital natives<\/a> of Gen Y. On the flip side, a few years ago, Gen Y was the fastest-growing<\/span> demographic – in fact, the only<\/span> demographic – that was adopting social media. What that means is that now that nearly all of Gen Y has adopted social media, there’s no longer room for adoption growth. This suggests at least the possibility that Gen Xers learned about social media from Gen Y. It turns out that, practically speaking, the technology "war" between generations is really more of a race. And if the race is for adopting and learning new technologies faster, younger generations will always win. Each successive generation has a knack for picking up new technologies and familiarizing themselves with them, adapting them to meet their needs, finding new ways to use them, and, ultimately, innovating them – or, sometimes, scrapping those new trends entirely and creating something even better. It is this innovation from younger generations that often propels technology and, as a result, business.
\n<\/span><\/p>\nGen X and Gen Y, Kumbaya<\/span><\/h2>\n
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\n The plot thickens.
\n<\/span><\/p>\nThe Tech Innovation Relay Race<\/span><\/h2>\n
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\n But the race doesn’t end simply with ideation, innovation or even adoption; the race ends when people (or in this case, businesses) see value in trying something new. It’s more of a relay race <\/span>and Gen Y can’t complete it without the help of their bosses and mentors, who can carry the baton over the finish line.
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\n Gen X and older workers, who over the course of years or decades have been entrusted with responsibility and decision-making power, usually have a number of successes and failures under their belts, as well as first-hand knowledge of what has worked and what hasn’t worked – and why. More than just a strong argument for an idea, more experienced workers demand evidence as well as thoughtful research and analysis in order to build a compelling business case. At the end of the day, it’s older generations who likely have the decision-making power to bring the idea to life – or kill it in its tracks. That’s a power that most Gen Y workers don’t have, because it’s just too early in their careers. (Gen Y has faced some major criticism in the workplace. Read more in Generation Y, I Think We Have Problems<\/a>.)<\/p>\n