Meagan Johnson - Generational Speaker

Solve Your Challenges and Bridge the Gap between Generations at Your Multigenerational Workforce

Generation X

Reflect and Set Intentions with Mid-Year Reset

It’s time to reflect… because the only thing more surprising than how fast June arrived… is realizing January was six months ago!

Whether you’re out lying by the pool this summer or already eyeing Halloween decorations at Target (looking at you, Millennials), June is the perfect midpoint for a self-check in! Not in a harsh, productivity-obsessed way – but in a reflective, life-affirming, “am I still aligned with what matters?” kind of way.

💭 Reflect: What’s Worth Keeping?

Before we go Marie Kondo-ing our calendars, let’s pause to reflect.
Ask yourself: What’s working? What’s draining me? What do I need more or less of? 

Reflection ideas by generation:

Reflect and Set Intentions with Mid-Year Reset

✨ Reset: Tiny Tweaks, Big Energy

No need for a dramatic reinvention. A few well-placed resets can breathe life back into your daily rhythm.

Try one of these intention-friendly resets:

Pro tip: Intention resets are even more powerful when shared. Start a convo with your team, family, or friend group about what’s lighting you up—or what you’re letting go of.

🌱 Recommit: Intention Over Perfection

Let’s drop any guilt about forgotten goals or detours taken. This midyear point is your permission slip to recommit—not to a rigid plan, but to what truly matters. So, whether you’re managing grandkids, managing emails, or managing to hold it together, June is here to remind us that we matter. It’s a moment to pause, breathe, reflect, and reset… with humor, hope, and intention.

Reminder: Your reset doesn’t need to be loud. It just needs to be yours.

Refresh Your Self Care Routine During Summer

Summer is officially here – it’s time to refresh your self-care routine!

Whether you’re a Silent Generation sun-lover or a Gen Z iced-coffee connoisseur, one thing we can all agree on: self-care doesn’t take a vacation. Summer could be the perfect time to hit “refresh” on your self-care routine!

🧓 Traditionalists & Baby Boomers: Stretch, Sip, and Socialize

You’ve put in the decades of hard work – now summer’s your time to unwind with purpose. Your self-care might look like:

  • Move your body gently: Swimming, tai chi in the park, or even an early-morning walk is great for joints and joy.
  • Hydration over hooch: Reach for water before wine, especially in the heat.
  • Say yes to sunscreen: Your dermatologist (and your future self) thanks you!

Self-care mantra: “Relax, recharge, repeat.”

Refresh Your Self Care Routine

👩‍💼 Gen X: Master of the Multitask

You’re juggling work, aging parents, and teens home from school – and you still made it to hot yoga. Impressive! This summer, try:

Self-care mantra: “I allow myself to rest.”

🧑‍💻 Millennials: Sun-Kissed, Self-Aware, Slightly Stressed

You’re reading the wellness blogs, downloaded the apps, and bought the reusable water bottle – but are you genuinely checking in with yourself?

Self-care mantra: “Checking in with myself is helpful and healing.”

🧋 Gen Z: Recharge and Reconnect

You’re navigating life in the fast lane – balancing hustle culture, digital noise, and the pressure to glow-up 24/7. But here’s your summer reminder: rest is productive, and boundaries are self-care.

  • Unplug to reconnect: Set a timer for screen-free hours and swap doomscrolling for journaling, drawing, or cloud-watching.
  • Protect your peace with SPF: Sunscreen is your bestie. Sun damage is so not the vibe.
  • Rest is resistance: Don’t feel guilty for saying no to social plans. A solo recharge night is just as valid as a group hang!

Self-care mantra: “Slowing down isn’t falling behind – it’s finding my rhythm.”

This summer, let self-care be our generational common ground. Whether you’re listening to vinyl or streaming a podcast, we’re all just trying to stay cool, stay kind, and stay sane in the sunshine! 🌞 

National Parents’ Day: Gratitude for All Moms & Dads

From CEOs to cashiers, doctors to delivery drivers, teachers to tech entrepreneurs, an estimated 150 million Americans share one common job: being a parent. 

We’re all aware about Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. But did you know about Parent’s Day? Parent’s Day is nationally observed every year on the fourth Sunday in July! This year, Parent’s Day falls on July 28th. 

National Parents' Day

The first National Parents Day was celebrated on July 28th, 1995. Nearly 30 laters later, so much of our world has evolved. With that being said, it’s important to pause and consider that parenting styles are not static and continue to evolve. Like generations, parenting styles are influenced by historical events, changing values, societal norms, technological advancements, and so much more. Let’s take a look at some of those influences and how they’ve shaped our parenting styles… 

The Greatest Generation

The Greatest Generation (Born between 1900 and 1925)  Aka “G.I. Generation, the WWII Generation” 

Major Life Events:

Parenting Style: 

  • A strong emphasis on discipline, obedience, and traditional values. Because of the economic hardships, this generation emphasized the value of being resourceful, saving money, and living within their means. They also instilled a strong sense of patriotism in their children, emphasizing loyalty to the country and a willingness to serve in the military if needed. 

The Silent Generation

The Silent Generation (Born between 1928 and 1945) Aka “Traditionalists, Radio Babies”

Major Life Events:

Parenting Style: 

  • This generation strongly adhered to traditional gender roles, with fathers typically as the breadwinners and disciplinarians and mothers focusing on homemaking and childcare. Children were expected to contribute and help with tasks like cleaning, cooking, and caring for younger siblings. Open communication about feelings and emotions were uncommon. 

Baby Boomers

Baby Boomers (Born between 1946 and 1964) Aka “Boomers, Trailblazers, Hippies” 

Major Life Events:

Parenting Style: 

  • Many Boomers prioritized their careers, which led to the rise of “latchkey kids” who spent significant time unsupervised. Compared to previous generations, Boomers were more open to communication and discussion with their kids. However, the power dynamic remained largely parent-centric. A smaller subset of Boomers adopted a more relaxed approach, allowing their kids more freedom and autonomy to explore and learn from their own mistakes.
Parents' Day

Generation X

Gen X (Born between 1965 and 1980) Aka “Latchkey Kids, MTV Generation” 

Major Life Events:

  • MTV Culture
  • Rise of the Internet
  • Watergate Scandal

Parenting Style: 

  • Gen X parents place a high value on independence and self-reliance. They encourage their children to think for themselves, make decisions, and learn from their mistakes. Their own experiences growing up as “latchkey kids,” often with working parents and less supervision than previous generations, heavily influenced their approach to parenting. They encourage passions and interests through extracurricular activities, hobbies, or self-directed learning.

Millennials

Millennials (Born between 1981 and 1996) Aka “Gen Y, Me Generation” 

Major Life Events:

  • The Great Recession
  • September 11th
  • Rise of Social Media

Parenting Style:

Generation Z

Generation Z (Born between 1997 and 2012) Aka “Gen Z, iGeneration, Zoomers”

Major Life Events:

  • Never knew a life without cell phones and digital media
  • Election of Donald Trump
  • COVID-19 Pandemic

Parenting Style:

  • Gen Z parents prioritize open and honest communication. They believe in creating a safe space for their children to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns without judgment. They’re more likely to discuss sensitive topics like mental health, sexuality, and social justice with their kids at an early age. Gen Z parents are highly aware of social issues like racism, inequality, and climate change. They strive to raise their children to be socially conscious, empathetic, and accepting of diversity. 

Phew… what an evolution!

As we can see, we’re all shaped by significant historic milestones, technological advancements, changing values, and more. It’s important to respect our differences and the value we each bring through our vast individual experiences. Whether it’s a biological parent, a grandparent, or a special parent-like figure in your life, make time to let them know how much they mean to you. Today, tomorrow, and every day, we honor and celebrate the role of a parent! 

Millennials Versus Gen X

Millennials vs Gen X… so what’s up with the Millenials and why everyone makes fun of them? What is the difference and how can millennials positively tap into their power? It is what we’re discussing today…

Millennials Versus Gen X

This episode starts off with 7 minutes of Simon Sinek – fantastic observations about the millennials. Starting at about 17 minutes into the podcast, I will discuss the generational gap in the workplace with Liv.

Let’s get to it…

The Generation X Management Style – What You Need to Know

Recently a reporter asked me about the Generation X management style – what type of managers are Gen Xers?

What is the Generation X Management Style?

I thought to myself: “Gen Xers as managers? What? No way! We’re too young to be managers! We can’t be managers! We’re still too new. We’re too young or we’re just getting our feet wet. You can’t put us in charge now?”

Gen Xers are managers. In fact, we’re in our working prime. In a survey, they found that over half of executives believe Gen Xers are the most engaged generation. We have a unique Generation X Management Style!

Gen X Managers

So what type of managers do we make?

Well, I think Gen Xers are in a really good position because they are open to change.

Especially when it comes to technology. We began using technology in school before we entered the workplace. Many baby boomers began using technology in the workplace after their careers were already established.

But Gen Xers? We started using technology before we began our careers. When Millennials approach us to try a new technology, we’re open to it.

I think about my own business in the past, when it came to running credit cards.

I would write down the credit card number while I was traveling. Then took the written credit card number back to my assistant. My millennial assistant would then enter it into the little box we were given by the bank and processed the credit cards. She approached me about this thing called ‘Square’ at the time. It reinvented the way that I handled credit cards. Many of you know and use square today.

Generation X Management Style

Gen X Leadership

Despite our unique Generation X management style, here’s where we might stumble.

We were ‘latchkey kids’. Came home from school and we had a list of chores on the kitchen counter. It was up to us to decide when we wanted to do the chores and how we did those chores. We just had to get them done before management, ‘aka mom and dad’, returned home.

As managers, sometimes we think we want to manage people the way we wanted to be managed.

When I first began my career, I wanted a manager who would listen to my input and then let me do my thing. You know? Give me what I need. Then tell me what you want to be done. Give me the tools and training to do it and then just leave me alone.

Gen X Engagement

However, with this new super engaged millennial generation that many of us are working with today as Gen X managers, we may need to step out of our comfort zone and engage with the Millennials with a little bit more frequency.

We may feel this as ‘hand-holding’, but I don’t perceive it that way. I perceive it as engaging the younger generation. Also, that engagement helps to transfer that knowledge between Gen Xers and Millennials. That is our Generation X Management Style!

I look forward to seeing you next week when we talk about the ever-changing generations in the workforce in the marketplace today.