In a conversation with a friend recently, we talked about the challenges that Gen Xers face as they reach their \u2018mid career\u2019 point.\u00a0 Depending on one\u2019s career path, the experiences can vary widely from a rapid succession up the career latter, to multiple lateral moves, to having moved from organization to organization due to restructuring. \u00a0As a cohort, often Gen Xers are frustrated by their current career reality and seek to find alternative solutions to create a rewarding and successful career as defined by themselves.<\/p>\n
We counsel many of our clients to avoid putting too much effort into retaining and engaging just Gen Ys if it may disengage other long standing employees.\u00a0 Many Gen Xers\u00a0 in our sessions complain about their frustration at being sandwiched between aging Baby Boomers who aren\u2019t retiring quickly enough to create opportunities for promotions and Gen Ys who they believe are being dotted on by senior leaders and receive greater support for learning, development and career advancement.\u00a0 By nature, Gen Xers are independent. This cohort expects to take care of themselves and is skeptical of managerial or organizational motives. This translates into a generation of self-starters, who are constantly seeking opportunities to gain marketable skills and results they can put on their resume.<\/p>\n
Many Gen Xers expect that they will be laid off at some point in their career.\u00a0 There is little stigma associated with being downsized.\u00a0 In a world where businesses need to adjust strategies and change direction quickly, Gen Xers have learned to not trust that their current reality will last for the long term.\u00a0 So what is a Gen Xer to do if they have plateaued in their career?\u00a0 What can they do to better manage their own progression?<\/p>\n
For a number of reasons, many Gen Xers have faced barriers in moving up the corporate latter some of which include:<\/p>\n
As a result of not being able to progress in their careers as they desire, often Gen Xers will take the following actions:<\/p>\n
In order to feel empowered and maintain a sense of independence, it\u2019s important for Gen Xers who feel that they haven\u2019t been able to achieve what they wanted to in their careers, to focus on four key things:<\/p>\n
I am often told by others, who are older and wiser, that I should be more \u2018patient\u2019.\u00a0 As a Gen Xer and entrepreneur I have always found that difficult to swallow. But there is some truth in staying the course, focusing on developing new skills and preparing ourselves for when it\u2019s \u201cour time\u201d.\u00a0 Many Gen Xers might find that their career goals are simply delayed a few years and that the road to achieving success is windy and has more hills to climb than we anticipated.<\/p>\n
It might be a longer route, but in the end we will likely enjoy the journey so much more than an easy, straight ride. As Baby Boomers exit the workforce, Gen Xers are the future leaders. Already organizations are changing, with more and more Gen Xers in C-suite positions. As businesses evolve, the opportunities to work more cross functionally, globally and independently will provide employees with new experiences. Gen Xers are well primed to strike when an opportunity presents itself. A successful career will no longer be defined by just tenure, title and salary but will be based on resilience, creativity, innovation, results and maybe some patience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Gen Xers and Rewarding Careers In a conversation with a friend recently, we talked about the challenges that Gen Xers face as they reach their \u2018mid career\u2019 point.\u00a0 Depending on one\u2019s career path, the experiences can vary widely from a … Continue reading