Mind Hacks for Generation X

Generation X is weird.

These 43-58 year-olds are so strange it presents golden opportunities.

Here are 10 mind hacks to use with Gen X:

— Michael Girdley (@girdley) June 10, 2023

Before we start, I’ll be generalizing.

Not every Gen X will think this way.

Especially those Gen Xers closer in age to either Boomers (born 1946-64) or Millennials (born 1981-96).

But these tricks will work with most.

Let’s go…

— Michael Girdley (@girdley) June 10, 2023

1: Motivate Gen X with two phrases — “Do it your way” and “Don’t sweat the rules”.

Many Gen X grew up in divorced single-parent homes.

So were forced to be self-reliant and unsupervised early on.

They want independence to get it done their way.

— Michael Girdley (@girdley) June 10, 2023

2: Send your Gen X colleagues well-written emails.

Gen X grew up with email — but before SMS or apps.

Their teachers stressed correct writing, too.

Poor grammar drives Gen X nuts.

— Michael Girdley (@girdley) June 10, 2023

3: Acknowledge Gen X's emails quickly.

They will love you.

Gen X wants to know who is responsible at all times.

They grew up when institutions weren’t to be trusted.

— Michael Girdley (@girdley) June 10, 2023

4: Focus with Gen X on mission and results.

Not seniority, effort, or hours worked.

You’ll often hear Gen X say, “If someone gets the job done in half the time, that’s fine.”

— Michael Girdley (@girdley) June 10, 2023

5: Allow Gen X a balanced life.

Gen X grew up with workaholic Boomer parents.

Seeing that, Gen X thinks of work as part of life but not why they live.

— Michael Girdley (@girdley) June 10, 2023

6: Bond with Gen X as individuals.

Not as part of a tribe (Millennials) or institution (Boomers).

Institutions from gov’t to marriage showed they couldn't be trusted during Gen X's youth.

— Michael Girdley (@girdley) June 10, 2023

7: Be direct with Gen X.

Give them data.

Gen X says “Tell me how it is!” and cuts out the fluff.

For generations like Millennials, this is hard.

Millennials want the “shit sandwich” for feedback.

— Michael Girdley (@girdley) June 10, 2023

8: Just acknowledge Gen X exists.

Gen X feels forgotten.

Only 20% of the population.

They’re also the people in your org with their heads down, getting stuff done.

But take them for granted and they can bolt. pic.twitter.com/pvqYIIQYxm

— Michael Girdley (@girdley) June 10, 2023

9: Expect Gen X to be pessimistic.

Boomers/Millennials grew up in ages of abundance.

Gen X is the first generation to NOT do as well financially as their parents or kids did. pic.twitter.com/jcRboLgJ3G

— Michael Girdley (@girdley) June 10, 2023

10: Expect Gen X to want work-life separation.

Expect them to be friendly but not “friends” at work.

Unlike recent generations who bring their personal life to work.

— Michael Girdley (@girdley) June 10, 2023

tl;dr:

Win by doing these things with Gen X:

1) Say "Do it your way"
2) Use well-written emails
3) Say "I got it!"
4) Focus on the mission w/ them
5) Allow life balance
6) Bond as people
7) Be direct
8) Acknowledge they exist
9) Expect pessimism
10) Expect work-life separation

— Michael Girdley (@girdley) June 10, 2023

Thanks for reading!

If you want to acknowledge I exist, a retweet/like of the first post below would be great! https://t.co/wRoCfl90cX

— Michael Girdley (@girdley) June 10, 2023