Move on over Boomers, Gen X and Y’ers and the Millennials! There’s a new kid in town and it plays in the back lots of a world changing at breakneck speed. Hello Generation Flux!
This generation is unique. It is not defined by the usual demographics such as race, age, gender, mobility, education, income. Instead, it is defined, by an open attitude: a state of mind, a mindset: With Generation Flux, attitude rules. Generation Flux people take an unconditional ‘can-do’ and an ‘open-view’ approach to their careers embracing uncertainty and unpredictability as opportunities to learn more skills.
If you are in the workforce or about to enter, it is becoming increasingly challenging to carve out that precise plan for your future. While there will always be those who take a nostalgic look at the past, envy the slower pace, and long for supposed security, there will be others who look at this shifting change and embrace it with gusto and wide open attitude. Indeed, this gen’s modus operandi may be summed up as ATTITUDE RULES!
In the January 2012 issue of Fast Company magazine: This Is Generation Flux: Meet The Pioneers Of The New (And Chaotic) Frontier of Business, Robert Safian writes people who are part of Gen Flux are highly adaptable and incredibly flexible. They know they are living in “… an era where the most important skill is the ability to acquire new skills.”
Beth Comstock GE’s Chief Marketing Officer is quoted as saying, “You do not have to be a jack-of-all-trades to flourish in the age of flux, but you do need to be open-minded.”
Technology is shifting the career landscape. Gen Fluxers (is there such a word? OK. We’ll make it one) are masters at being adaptable and quick on the up take for any on-going training, upgrading skill sets and honing their communication skills. The ladder they climb to the top may not be the same one they started on. In a world of sound bites and 140 characters mapping any plan for future success is more than just understanding procedures, technologies and administrative aspects of a job; it is and always will be in the ability to communicate effectively. Being able to listen well, engage others directly, express ideas clearly, provide information and feedback are today’s deal breakers for success. In short, attitude rules but communication reigns!
It is easy to underestimate the value of being an effective communicator because technology provides you with so many options where you don’t have to ‘meet, greet and present’ face to face. But being able to present your case is more than just having the confidence to stand up and talk. As a professional, the attitude and communication skills you employ are what demonstrate how flexible and in tune you are to what is happening around you.
To become a better communicator, all you need is an open attitude, an understanding and the willingness to work at developing these skills in the same way that you build other skills. Strong leaders, innovative thinkers and early adapters are also skilled communicators. Being able to speak and present well has always been important but for the Generation Flux these are imperative skills . Whether you are a Generation Flux member by default or by choice, learn to speak well and you will do well, it is after all, speaking for your success.