The Next Generation: How They Differ from Boomers, X and Y

We naturally tend to categorize generations into stereotypes. Boomers, as you know, are terrible stewards of the planet, profligate consumers, and self-absored. Gen Xers (1963-1981) seek work-life balance, are more conservative spenders than their parents, and pride themselves on self-sufficiency. Gen Y (1980-1984) was born with a mouse in its hand, thinks in terms of peers, and is high on the instant gratification scale.

Stereotypes aside, what characterizes the next generation of workers-to-be, the group 13 years old and under? You may have some running about your house today. What are they telling you about how they view the world?

Generational expert Tammy Erickson thinks she's identified ways in which Generation Whatever It Will Be Called is decidedly different from their elders now ruling the planet. Writing on her Across the Generations blog on Harvard Business blog, Erickson says:

This is will be a generation of Realists, of Pragmatists. Truth, Finite Limits, Conservation, Tradeoffs, Balance â€" these, I suspect will be themes of our newest generation.