The death of Michael Jackson means the death of a brilliant entertainer who also lived between three generational planes. We could perhaps call him an “X Y Boom.” Technically born into the baby boomer generation, he speaks our parents’ language and has many fans in the baby boomer age group. And yet, nearly every time I go out, the night often isn’t complete until the DJ plays a Michael Jackson song.
Generation X and Y know the dance steps to “Thriller” and “Billy Jean.” Some of them can even do a perfect moonwalk. Not to mention, those who can recite every single word in a Michael Jackson song, without skipping a beat. Clearly, he’s made quite an impression on the younger generations. He speaks the languages of X, Y, and Boom.
In many senses, Michael Jackson brought different generations together, sliding between them, allowing them to see how similar they actually are.
In the workplace, perhaps we need someone like him. A mediator. Someone who speaks both languages. Someone who exists on many generational planes. Someone like the great Michael Jackson. We need a translator, who doesn’t get lost in translation.
