True story. A few years ago I applied for a social media marketing job that had my name all over it. The job was for a local book distribution company. It wanted its candidates to be educated and experienced in various communication styles in both traditional and digital media. I ticked off all requirements needed. I never even got an interview. Instead, they hired a twenty-something whose education and experience didn’t nearly approach mine. Not only did I get passed over, I didn’t even get a chance!
Sadly, I’m not alone. A lot of talented, smart, experienced, and hard-working Generation X-ers are in the same boat. They’re losing out on jobs, promotions, and leadership positions to the more favored Millennials. And we are pissed off.
Luckily, my fellow Breakfast Clubbers at a Gen X Facebook group I belong to tipped me off to the book Passed Over and Pissed Off: The Overlooked Leadership Talents of Generation X by Dr. Mia Mulrennan.
Generation X is stuck between two larger and more attention-grabbing generations, the Baby Boomers and the Millennials. Generation X is the classic ignored middle child, the Jan Brady so to speak.
And being ignored is affecting us in the workplace. We’re primed for promotions and leadership positions, yet our Baby Boomer overlords are passing us over for the Millennials. And Generation X-ers aren’t too happy about this. But what can we do?
In Passed Over and Pissed Off, Mulrennan goes to great lengths exploring why this is happening. She also explains the leadership skills Generation X has and why we shouldn’t be cast aside. Generation X-ers are resilient, innovators, loyal, and bridge builders between Boomers and Millennials. And at the same time Generation X-ers are both independent and collaborative. Hmm, sounds good to me!
Mulrennan also warns what will happen if there is a mass Gen Xodus when we leave in a huff. It ain’t pretty!
Not surprisingly, I really liked Passed Over and Pissed Off, and not just because it’s a teller of truths. Passed Over and Pissed is also written in a very down-to-earth and readable style. Mulrennan also fills this book with lots of pop culture references, which made my heart go pitter-pat.
But most of all, Passed Over and Pissed Off tells Generation X it’s up to us to not hold back and get noticed. We have a lot to offer. Time to let everyone know it!
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