Tuesday, August 23, 2022

🏁 Axios Finish Line: Gen X unplugged

Part 2: Three nights of generational wisdom | Tuesday, August 23, 2022
 
Axios Open in app View in browser
 
 
Axios Finish Line
By Mike Allen, Erica Pandey and Jim VandeHei ·Aug 23, 2022
Aug 23, 2022

Welcome back. Tonight we continue our journey through generations with Axios CEO Jim VandeHei's view on how Gen Xers — those born between 1965 and 1980 — think.

  • Smart Brevity™ count: 455 words ... 2 mins.
 
 
1 big thing: Gen X's message to younger generations
Illustration of an office chair with the backrest shaped like a speech bubble

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

 

Think of this as a mind meld with the generation that came of age before social media — Gen X. It's one perspective on life and work, to help other generations understand us, Jim writes.

  • At Axios, we've been intentional since Day 1 about including other perspectives in our decision-making, including an Emerging Leaders program that puts sharp, skeptical young minds around our executive table. In that spirit, my 5: 

1. Remember that a job is, among other things ... a job. I write and talk a lot about the importance of purpose and mission in a modern, successful company. But in addition to being a great colleague, I'm paid to do a particular job well. That's my Job 1.

2. Promotions aren't perennials. My generation was lucky to get big pay raises or true promotions a few times in our young careers. That's changed, and we've changed. But if you want a better title, think about what new responsibility — and accountability — you'll take on. 

3. Ask yourself: Do I really need to tweet or TikTok every thought? Will this make the world a better or smarter place? My generation aged and grew with the internet. But our instincts aren't to go public with every agitation or desire. The more you say, the harder it is for others to hear you when it truly matters. 

4. My personal views aren't universally held. It's a big, wide world full of conflicting, complicated viewpoints. My views and your views are real and awesome — just not always shared by everyone. Sometimes people are silent because it's too exhausting to argue about hot topics. Or they're busy working. 

5. One disagreement does not a bad employer make. We judge an employer on the totality of the culture, mission, pay, benefits, decision-making, opportunities — not on one thing you wish they did, said or had. Hell, until the last decade, we didn't even know what culture and mission meant 😀.

Share on Facebook Tweet this Story Post to LinkedIn Email this Story
 
 

A message from Axios

Smart Brevity® guidance is transforming comms at 300+ organizations
 
 

Axios HQ's AI-powered editing help combines writing tips from Axios' top writers — and a format proven to boost reader engagement — to help you send scannable updates that are 40% shorter than most work emails.

Learn more

 
 
🧠 What do YOU think?
Animated gif of a briefcase-shaped text bubble

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

 

We've already heard from nearly 1,000 engaged Finish Line readers of all ages, sharing work advice and experience.

  • Join the conversation by filling out this form, hitting "reply" to this email or dropping us a line: finishline@axios.com. Share your insights, and make sure to include your name, hometown and generation.

We'll feature a selection of reader thoughts in future editions, starting with age-old wisdom from our Silent Generation readers in tomorrow's newsletter.

Share on Facebook Tweet this Story Post to LinkedIn Email this Story
 

Thanks for reading. Invite your friends to sign up.

HQ
Are you a fan of this email format?
It's called Smart Brevity®. Over 300 orgs use it — in a tool called Axios HQ — to drive productivity with clearer workplace communications.
 

Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here.
Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content.

Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Arlington VA 22201
 
You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios.
Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.
 
Was this email forwarded to you?
Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.
 

Follow Axios on social media:

Axios on Facebook Axios on Twitter Axios on Instagram
 
 
                                             

No comments:

Post a Comment

Early Black Friday Specials + Free Shipping

Access Black Friday Deals ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌...