You know you are a Boomer if you remember where you were when Neil Armstrong took his first steps on the moon.

Anonymous Baby Boomer

What does paying your dues have to do with success in the workplace?  Well, these are the words I hear from Boomers whenever I am asked to help resolve a conflict between them and a younger worker.  Because the Boomers had to work long hours and earn their way to two weeks vacation, they expect any generation that follows to do the same. 

The big boom started when veterans returning from World War II decided to  expand their families and expand they did!  With a baby born every 17 minutes for 20 years, 1946-1964 were the greatest reproductive years in the 20th century.  These young Boomers grew up in a time of great prosperity but they found the need to compete and collaborate at the playground just to get a turn at the slide or swingset. 

They were the first generation to be graded on "getting along well with others."  In the workplace they had to compete with so many others to land a job and get a promotion they decided that working harder for longer hours was the one thing that would set them apart. Slowly they became known as work-a-holics and had a hard time finding their worth outside of work. 

If you work for a Baby Boomer or one works for you, try these tips to improve your relationship:

• As their boss, honor their hard work with personal acknowledgements, or better yet, a new job title and corner office. 

• As their employee show that you are willing to go the extra mile by showing up early and leaving work later than expected.  They will notice!

• Because they learned to manage others from the Traditionalist generation's command and control style, do not be alarmed if they tend to micromanage you or your project.  Instead give them frequent updates on your work which will keep them in the information loop and ultimately give you more free rein.

Next week I will share a story of a clash between a Gen X and Baby Boomer regarding the use of email.