Veteran public sector leaders came of age during a time when people commonly spent their careers employed by a single agency. Though members of this generation no longer assume that any job guarantees permanent job security, they will often remain in a position as long as it provides for their basic needs. Baby Boomers utilize their decades of experience and overall mastery to ensure that the job gets done, even if they are the only one who knows how to do it.

Younger public sector leaders assume that they will make multiple moves between jobs and careers. In place of security, members of Generation X seek opportunities to experience new things. These young leaders recognize that the world is changing every day – new technology, new strategies, new jargon – and they offer the ability to quickly assimilate and apply the latest trends. Twenty- and thirty-somethings seek to be valued for their ingenuity and offer longevity in exchange for new responsibilities.

On The Move has come to recognize that non-profit organizations must radically re-think how they operate if they are to bridge the gap between the generations. Baby Boomers and Generation X’ers must learn together how to build the next generation of non-profit organizations. Veteran leaders will be challenged to make their agencies more collaborative, transparent, communicative and dynamic. In turn, young leaders must recognize the heavy load historically carried by their parents’ generation. To balance flexibility with excellence, young leaders must establish norms for clear communication and effective delivery to ensure that competence and reliability are maintained even when leadership changes.