One of the greatest challenges as a manager is understanding what works and does not work as motivation for each employee. As the generational shift continues it becomes even more challenging. Generation X members like myself find themselves managing members of the millennial generation. As a former manager of 100 people, sport captain and West Point graduate I have had many different leadership roles. I have created Ubiquitous Relativity, a philosophy designed to improve connections to each other. I can speak to this pressing topic from experience.

Gen X and Millennials are two different generations but they are all people who live in their own universe. Both Generations must pause on judging each other by the actions of a few members. Generation X managers must question the leadership techniques that motivated them when working for Baby Boomers. Gen X managers cannot assume that the same techniques still work the same way. Each manager must understand what motivates each person now as universes have expanded. The “my way or the highway” approach does not work as well anymore. Motivation through fear is not the solution it was twenty years ago because Millennials have a different set of opportunities in front of them. If a Gen X manager wants to be successful they must be able to adapt. The way to adapt is to ask “What do I not know about my subordinates?” vs. “What do I know about how leadership has worked in the past?”