Generation X is weird.

These 42-57 year-olds are so strange it presents golden opportunities.

Here are 10 mind hacks to use with Gen X:

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.”

5: Allow Gen X a balanced life.

Gen X grew up with workaholic Boomer parents.

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

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.

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.

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.

9: Expect Gen X to be pessimistic.

Boomers/Millenials grew up in ages of abundance.

Gen X is the first generation to NOT do as well financially as their parents or kids did.

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.

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

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this or feel pity for me, retweets and likes of the first post in this thread would be great!

Here: https://twitter.com/girdley/status/1511316479106453511

I’m going to do another one of these for Baby Boomers (1946-1964), so give me a follow @girdley if you want to be sure to see that!

(Oh and thanks to @barrettjoneill for helping with the hook here. Mad talent that guy. Follow him!)

Hilarious how every Gen X reply is “I was skeptical at first” and “I don’t like the words mind hack because that’s what institutions do”.

Also, little know fact: Gen X was named after @XavierHelgesen. The more you know ;-)