New research reveals Gen X as the “leapfrog” generation, overlooked for promotions at higher rates than their counterparts in other generations. In the past five years, the majority of Gen X leaders (66%) had received only one promotion or none at all — significantly fewer than their Millennial (52%) and Baby Boomer counterparts (58%), who were more likely to have received two or more promotions during the same period of time. And although Gen X leaders aren’t being rewarded with promotions as often, they are bearing the brunt of the workload. Gen X has been loyal up to now, but frustration is approaching a breaking point for Gen X leaders who have advanced to higher-level management roles, with 40% saying they are contemplating leaving to advance their careers. Companies risk losing many of their highest-performing leaders if they don’t work harder to retain them.
Generation X, represented by cultural icons such as Molly Ringwald, Kurt Cobain, and Alanis Morissette, was long ago written off as the “slacker generation” — apathetic, cynical, and antiestablishment. Like other generations before them, most Gen Xers have adopted a stronger affiliation for stability and tradition as they’ve aged and had children. But their unambitious reputation may be holding them back in the workplace, as new data reveals Gen X to be the “leapfrog” generation, overlooked for promotions at higher rates than their counterparts in other generations.
See The Original Blog:
https://hbr.org/2019/07/are-companies-about-to-have-a-gen-x-retention-problem?fbclid=IwAR1tten0Jr9r1wSV0x7oHMhPXODBvgxlpfeOGby48FpmHK6l88tBZ2QfBAY
