Gen X is portrayed as having middle-child syndrome, always being ignored and underappreciated, as a result of the generations that preceded and followed it. Gen Y is classically characterized as spoiled, empowered, self-confident and technology-reliant. Gen Y’s adoption of Gen X innovations, such as Google, YouTube and Amazon, has inspired technologies like Facebook and Dropbox. Can these two generations partner to make a significant impact on workplace technology and learning, or will the conflicting egos lead to disparity?

Research indicates that the differences between the generations once reported may no longer be as divisive. Forrester Research released three reports that show that while Gen X is the majority user of social media for business purposes, both generations are less worried about security with social media than older generations and both generations have similar views on enterprise technology.

Forrester Consulting conducted a “Social Technographics” study commissioned by Citrix online in 2010 to examine the use of social media and networking in the workplace. Surprisingly, the results showed that Gen X, not Gen Y, are the leading users of social media for business purposes:

Gen X workers – and not those in the younger Gen Y generation – make up the majority of those who use social networking for business, followed closely by boomers aged 55 and older. According to the data, Gen Y’s use of collaborative technology also lagged others.

Another Forrester Research report, “North American Technographics” survey, indicated that Gen X and Gen Y are least worried about privacy surrounding social networks. Specifically, 30 percent of Gen Y and 33 percent of Gen X agreed that they were very worried about security on social network sites, while 50 percent of older boomers and 43 percent of seniors indicated they agreed.

A third Forrester report, “The State Of Consumers And Technology Benchmark 2010,” revealed that Gen Y and Gen X outpace baby boomers and seniors in almost everything related to technology. Additionally, it found that workers of all ages are sneaking hardware into the workplace and downloading software on their work computers. The article, “Consumerization Culprits? Not who you’d think” explains that 33 percent of Gen X and 31 percent of Gen Y believe the technology they use at home is better than what they are given at work. The article states:

“Gen X-ers were the ones to lead the charge in initially pushing back against IT and the technologies it was provisioning. They were at the forefront of the consumerization of IT,” Keitt said. “This laid the foundation for changes in how IT departments thought about provisioning technology and opened the doors for different types of software and hardware to be used in the business.”

Finally, the Forrester study was summarized in the article, “Gen Y and Your IT Department,” which indicates that many Gen Y and Gen X view their IT department as a helpful resource, not as a hindrance. The conclusion drawn is that professionals creating strategies for technology and collaboration should set policies based on facts and not stereotypes.

What does this mean? Despite the differences in the economy and environment in which the two generations grew up, we can find common ground. Gen X and Gen Y have similar perspectives regarding technology. Gen X set the stage for introducing innovative technology and questioning the way things used to be. And, although Gen Y has experienced a lot of bad press, some have up to ten years of experience since they started entering the workplace in 2001, and 27 percent are already managers or executives. Gen Y does understand how companies operate and how to thrive in business. The impact of technology and social media on the learning industry is already evident. Together, Gen X and Gen Y can combine resources and experience to advance company policy around the use of technology, create new and innovative products, and serve as a positive influence on the next generation of workers.