#161 / Generations

Last Sunday, Richard P. Malloch wrote a column in the "Insight" section of the San Francisco Chronicle. It was headlined, "The new 'Greatest Generation?' Look to the Millennials."

Malloch is the president of Hearst Business Media. His focus in the article is on how young men and women graduating this month are looking for ways to "do well by doing good." He thinks this new "Millennial" generation will "leave a lasting mark on business."

It may well be that Malloch is right about the positive benefits of the "entrepreneurism" he identifies as what's "new" with this new generation. I'm thinking, myself, however, that leaving "a lasting mark on business" isn't going to be enough. That just isn't going to meet the test of the times.

For those interested in thinking in "generational" terms, I recommend the book pictured above, Generations, The History of America's Future. Strauss and Howe also identify a "Millennial" generation, and they say their research on past generations leads them to expect a "crisis lasting from 2013 to 2024." They say "the early 2020's appear fateful," and that they expect Malloch's "next Great Generation," the Millennials, will have "a chance to demonstrate civic virtue and to triumph over great adversity."

I am hoping that Strauss and Howe have called it right! Because I'm pretty sure they are right on target about the great adversity, and about the "fateful" quality of the years just ahead.

Image Credits:
(1) - http://www.postkiwi.com/2006/strauss-and-howe-generations/
(2) - http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/The-new-Greatest-Generation-Millennials-6303120.php