Wingtips for Women: Success Without Compromise

Not only do we speak different languages, but we also have very different expectations and lifestyles. Fortunately or unfortunately (you be the judge), young women and men just beginning their careers are not nearly so single minded and career driven as some of their elders. In fact, many are postponing even beginning their careers by taking on average 7 years to complete college (though I wonder if the current economic tide won’t change that!) or by traveling for a while before settling into a job. Even a job once taken, is often only for as long as it takes to find some new adventure or better opportunity. Loyalty, as Boomers know it, is a bygone tradition and thus requires a new way for Baby Boomer leaders to lead a new generation.

Gen X and Y workers have much to teach Boomers about how to enjoy life to the fullest without being the “dull boy” of the old proverb about Jack. (All work and no play, makes Jack/Jill a dull boy/girl!) In fact, many of the Boomer women in our book seem to have learned this Gen Y lesson far ahead of their generation.

What does this mean for the way Boomers share their knowledge with younger workers? Sometimes our expectations are not even on the same planet! Does being in the office or in front of a client meant that is the only time you are truly working? Or can you be working on your career while climbing Everest?

One of my long held beliefs is that executives who never take vacations, in fact, pride themselves on the fact, will see constantly diminishing returns on their hours at work. It was my husband who first taught me this while I was burning the midnight oil at IBM. I was in my early twenties and already not taking time to refuel my brain and my body. It is amazing how many problems can be worked out sitting on a beach or cycling down a Vermont road!

Alas, no single generation has it all figured out. These differences are some of the things we want to further explore on this blog, so please join us.

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