Posts Tagged ‘baby boomers’
Weak succession planning has led to weakness in the management chain
I was sitting in the office of a thirties-something – a young, dynamic and intelligent man.
We noted that in many firms there is a horrible gap between the Baby Boomers and the next level. Sometimes there is a gap of 20 to 30 years. Do you see that gap in your company? Grey hair – a long gap – slightly inexperienced manager?
If there is any succession planning, it is certainly not evident.
Generational demographics
The breaks in the chain are largely a function of demographics – the number of babies who were born.
Baby Boomers, as the name suggests, are many. They are also used to dominating politics with their votes, and dictating taste with their purchasing power.
Gen X are few. Generally, while Boomers had 3 siblings, they had none. They are outnumbered by Boomers at least 2:1. Known as the latch-key kids, they are used to cleaning up the world after the Boomers have swanned-through. They are the unseen generation.
Gen Y are more numerous and are having more children than themselves.
Can we mend the breaks in the chain?
The gap between those in charge now, and those in charge tomorrow, is horrible. It even became an issue in the American Presidential election. “Obama is too young (47!) and has too little experience”, people cried. The gulf is much bigger in business.
How will the mantle of leadership be handed on from Boomers to Gen X or Gen Y?
I wanted to know how my young friend thought change would come about.
He smiled and said: “One day, one of them will go out to play golf. And his friends will follow.”
All over in day?
How will the mantle of leadership be passed from one generation to another in your industry? And what will be the consequences?
Chaos from lack of skill and exposure? A breath of fresh air?
What are the elements of succession planning with these unusual demographics before us?
How will the generation shift affect you? Good or bad? And if it is sudden, will it be in your favor, or not?
UPDATE: Perhaps we can begin by not slagging off Gen Y, be reopening management training schools and having explicit policies to pass on the mantle of leadership?
Image via WikipediaCelebration of baby boomers
Last week, someone kindly took me to see box office hit, Mama Mia. Meryl Streep and others were looking good, singing and dancing on a Greek Island.
I think the show is intended only as light hearted frivolity. It is a celebration, though, of baby boomer culture – bell bottoms, pop, and liberation.
The dilemma facing baby boomers
I found it interesting because it has sufficient of a story line to address the dilemma facing baby boomers.
- What should boomers make of their past lives and decisions?
- Where is the fine line between reminiscing and treasuring the past?
- What is our role vis-a-viz Gen Y?
Mama Mia – an example of moving on
The movie does offer an example of moving on gracefully.
- The sixties are shamelessly celebrated in a beautiful setting with beautiful people.
- The past is brought into the present without apology or aggrandizement.
- The parents resolve past misdeeds allowing them to “let go”, plan their own retirement and allow Gen Y to plot their own course.
I’ve posted Rainer Rilke‘s poem (translated by J. Mullen) before about the challenge of approaching old age.
Lord: it is time. The summer was great.
Lay your shadows onto the sundials
and let loose the winds upon the fields.
Command the last fruits to be full,
give them yet two more southern days,
urge them to perfection, and chase
the last sweetness into the heavy wine.
Who now has no house, builds no more.
Who is now alone, will long remain so,
will stay awake, read, write long letters
and will wander restlessly here and there
in the avenues, when the leaves drift.
“Who now has no house, builds no more” is a tough line to understand, possibly because it directs our attention to our disappointments. Mama Mia is a great movie for someone to watch to “get it”.
What is the house that we built? In what way was everything a rehearsal for this?
Accommodate boomer at work
We hear so much about accommodating Gen Y at work. What do we need to do to accommodate boomers?
Do you know of any systems, formal or informal, that build in this reflection and draw out of strengths of older members of an organization?
Would empowering boomers impower Gen Y too as it did in the movie?
Autumn Day
Rainer Maria Rilke, translated by J. Mullen
Lord: it is time. The summer was great.
Lay your shadows onto the sundials
and let loose the winds upon the fields.
Command the last fruits to be full,
give them yet two more southern days,
urge them to perfection, and chase
the last sweetness into the heavy wine.
Who now has no house, builds no more.
Who is now alone, will long remain so,
will stay awake, read, write long letters
and will wander restlessly here and there
in the avenues, when the leaves drift.
Baby boomers celebrate what we have achieved and make our celebration our contribution to the this new age
There is so much talk about Gen Y. Here is the question for baby boomers. How should we celebrate the autumn of our years?
Gen Y will be here one day too. They might also be interested in how to celebrate the house that is ours and to make the celebration of our achievements our very contribution to this new age?
What is your house? How do you celebrate? How does your celebration contribute? How many of us can answer these questions simply?
flowing motion 
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