What's the difference between Generation X and Millennials?

You're working in your cubicle, frantically finishing a project.

Suddenly, you overhear a conversation between your boss and another supervisor. Your boss suddenly proclaims:

"Oh, that is so typical of millennials! They're so needy and demanding!"

The other supervisor agrees with your boss, "Yeah, that's why I prefer working with Gen X-ers. They are at least dependable and responsible."

Wait, you're a millennial!

You think of yourself as dependable and reliable. And who are these Gen X-ers exactly?

Understanding the characteristics people associate with Gen X-ers and Millennials will help you navigate spaces where these two generations coexist.

There are three key differences between Gen X-ers and Millennials in terms of personality traits, ways they spend time, and work values.

Gen X-ers

1. Born between 1960 and 1979

2. Impacted by major events such as the end of the Cold War, increased TV usage, and the introduction of personal computers

3. Prefer to be independent

Millennials

1. Born between 1980 and 2000

2. Impacted by major events such as increased use of internet, The Great Recession in 2008, and world events such as the September 11th attacks

3. Prefer to have more social interactions

Common personality traits can be associated with Gen X-ers and Millennials:

Gen X-ers

• Independent

• Direct

• Resourceful

• Skeptical

• Pragmatic

Millennials

• Sociable and people-centric

• Open to new ideas

• Multitaskers

• Optimistic

• Tech-savvy

Major social events could have impacted the differences in how both generations spend their time.

Gen X-ers are more likely to...

• Spend time doing housework

• Watch television

• Physically buy things from the store

Millennials are more likely to...

• Spend time doing leisure activities

• Participate in extracurricular activities such as sports

• Buy things from the internet

Gen Xers and Millenials often have different views about work. Companies usually have multiple generations working together, so it's important to understand the differences in their work styles and values.

Gen X-ers

• Value stability

• Working to live

• Prefer face-to-face collaboration

• Want formal supervision from their superiors

Millennials

• Value fun and innovation

• Want work-life balance

• Prefer remote work and flexibility

• Want support from supervisors but freedom to do the job in their own way

Imagine that you're the boss of a group of Gen X-ers and Millennials. The group is not working well together.

How would you manage this group to work better together? Read through the answers below and choose one correct answer.

A. Call out those who arn't working well together and reassign tasks to those who are more capable of completing the work.

B. Assign the Millenials to work remotely while the Gen X-ers work in the office.

C. Facilitate a mentoring program where Gen X-ers and Millennials can learn from and socialize with each other.

D. Talk to your HR department about how to resolve this issue.

Now that you know more about the differences between Millennials and Gen X-ers, remember to do the following: