Monday evening I attended a workshop lead by Chuck Underwood, a leading researcher and executive coach on generational differences. He talked to us about the research he conducted for his book, The Generational Imperative. In the book, he talks primarily about the four generations still in our workforce and more broadly about the five living generations in America.

Over the past few months, while I have been doing my own generational research and hunting down information on the leadership deficit in the nonprofit sector I have paid little attention to the Silent Generation (Born 1927-1945). Most articles and news segments are on the three generations, Boomers, Gen X and the Millennials; few even mention the Silent Generation.

Underwood brought to my attention that the Silent Generation is still a part of the workforce and the youngest of that generation are actually only coming to retirement. We cannot forget about this generation in the nonprofit sector.

There is a misnomer in much of today’s society that we now have to worry about the Baby Boomers retiring, they have been running our companies and organizations, and now it is time for Gen X to take over, and here is where the leadership deficit comes in. When the truth is…many Boomers are just now taking over the major leadership roles in many organizations. The Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, still have 15-20 years before completely leaving the workplace, and even then, it is skeptical.

Underwood describes Boomers as, “idealistic, empowering, engaging, opportunistic, workaholics!” Underwood seems to believe they may never retire. Boomers will be around for quite a while. The Silent Generation, on the same note, is very loyal to their organizations, and many would be more than happy to serve as consultants for their organizations or a mentor to up-and-coming executives, Underwood says.

I am not suggesting their will not be a leadership deficit in the nonprofit sector, there are many more reasons why a leadership deficit is possible. In the nonprofit sector, we cannot be so quick to rule out the Silent Generation, and we have to remember the Boomers will be around for a while.

The Boomers are going to be around a lot longer than many of us may have realized. The Silent Generation seems like a great generation to target for volunteering, and giving, as well as for mentoring.

The Boomers are going to be busy for the next 15-20 years, so why not recruit Silents to be mentors to the young Gen Xers and Millennials in your organizations. The same goes for you, my fellow Millennials, take advantage of the great resources you may have for growing and becoming great nonprofit leaders. Call up the nearest Silent to your organization and ask them if they would be willing to sit down for an interview. This may be a great start to a long mentoring relationship.

- Tera Wozniak

Millennial

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