The framers of our United States constitution stepped up in a moment of history and crafted a document that has guided this country for over two hundred years. Interestingly, the average age of the delegates was 43. Benjamin Franklin was the oldest delegate to the constitutional convention at age 81, and Jonathan Dayton of New Jersey was 26. James Madison, who would later become the 4th President, was 36, and Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of Treasury, was 32.

In today’s generational terms, most of the founding fathers would be from the equivalent of our Generation X. In terms of leadership in this country today, Baby Boomers are clearly the dominant force. The average age of CEO’s is 56, and 65 percent of all national leaders are Baby Boomers. A breakdown of the current Senate reflects this stratification of leadership which reflects four generations: (1) Greatest Generation (1901 – 1924) -Three Senators; (2) Silent Generation (1925 – 1942) -Thirty Three Senators; (3) Boomer Generation (1943 – 1960) - Fifty Six Senators; and (4) Generation X (1960 – 1981) - Eight Senators.

A massive generational shift in business, civic, and political leadership will be taking place in this decade. The question is whether this next generation is ready. Squeezed between the massive Baby Boomer generation and the equally big Generation Y (Millennials), Generation X leaders face many challenges, but also have considerable opportunity to lead during this important time in our country’s history.