X-ers are in a really interesting place in that they are in kind of what I call the X-er Squeeze. They’re a squeeze generation between these two massive groups: 80 million boomers and roughly 80 million millennials.

A smaller group, they’ve been waiting in the wings of boomers, forever waiting to step up into these key leadership positions, and now they’ve got this wave of millennials who are like, “It’s my turn. I want a seat at the table.” And X-ers are kind of like, “Dude, slow your roll.”

And so if you’re interacting with X-ers, if you’re a baby boomer, you’ve got to find places to delegate to this generation, to let go of the reins, especially in family businesses. Step back and let them have an opportunity to step up and put their stamp on things. Don’t hold so tight to the idea that we do things this way because that’s the way it’s always been done and that’s how it is. You’ve got to let them mix it up.

And if you’re a millennial, you’ve got to be conscious of that. Maybe you’ve been waiting five or 10 years for your chance. You’ve been working for that period of time. But you’re talking to an X-er who’s like, “Dude, I’ve got 20 years.” So be conscious of that. Be cognizant of that, so that they have a chance to really put their stamp on things.