The Gen X career crisis

For many in Generation X (those born in the ‘60s and ‘70s), careers began in a tactile world of cassette tapes, pagers, and print magazines thick enough to kill a cockroach. They grew up believing that if they worked hard, paid their dues, and stuck with the craft, the future would reward them with a corner office and a gold watch.

Instead, they got AI, layoffs, and 20-year-olds giving marketing advice on TikTok. It’s not just disruption. It’s displacement. Gen Xers pioneered the digital age, and now, they feel like they’ve been left behind by the very thing they helped create.

Take advertising. Once the land of million-peso productions and elaborate shoots, it has been reduced to six-second TikTok clips with trendy audio and ring lights. As one creative veteran said, “That TV spot you spent six months crafting now becomes a TikTok you do in six hours and maybe even less.”

Instead of storyboard pitches and art direction, many agencies now bet on influencers because their followers are cheaper than focus groups. And looming above this chaos is artificial intelligence, ready to replace even the most clever copywriter with a chatbot that never sleeps or negotiates rates. Madmen have become Mad Memes.

Gen X had a rough debut. They entered adulthood just as the Cold War ended, Nirvana started grunge, and “slacker” became their generational label. Xer’s were never the loudest. They were the latchkey kids, the middle children of history. And now, mid-career, many are quietly panicking.

Then there is this constant scream from book authors and motivational speakers to “Reinvent yourself!” The idea of a second act sounds inspiring until you’re living it at 54 with kids in college, a home mortgage to pay, and no HR department calling you back because even these people are retraining.

Many are becoming consultants, freelancers, or, as one put it, “hustlers in a gig economy I didn’t sign up for.”

The disappearance of your career feels as temporary as an Instagram story which vanishes after 24 hours. These aren’t just jobs. People spent decades developing their identities through these roles which provided them with purpose and self-esteem. A former creative director said, “It’s like making candlesticks when the light bulb was invented. You were once essential, but now you’re quaint.”

Here is my take on this

Xer’s are not obsolete but are being called to evolve. AI is changing the rules, and the market is shifting fast. But the fundamentals haven’t changed: Creativity, integrity, and purpose still matter. Relevance doesn’t come from being trendy; it comes from being useful.

For Gen Xers navigating a career Crisis, understand that reinvention is not betrayal; it’s evolution. You’re not abandoning your craft; you’re adapting your value. Reframe your experience not as “outdated” but as a foundation. The world may not need your old job title, but it still needs your wisdom. Update your skills, repackage your expertise, and pivot with confidence.

Think of reinvention not as starting over but starting from experience.

You are not too old, and it is not too late.

Next is to let go of the shame of starting again. The world changed. That’s not your fault. None of the pandemic, AI, or remote work was on the syllabus when you were coming up the ranks. Grieving a lost career path is okay, but don’t let nostalgia paralyze your future.

Lean into what’s next without carrying the baggage of what “should’ve been.” A Chinese proverb says: “When the winds of change blow, some build walls. Others build windmills.”

For Gen Xers in leadership roles

Be a bridge, not a gatekeeper. Your experience is a strategic asset, but only if you use it to empower, not exclude. Do not mock new tools, trends, or generations. Instead, position yourself as the translator between tradition and innovation. Coach, don’t compete.

Lead with humility, not hierarchy. The best leaders today aren’t loud; they are curious. They ask more than they answer. Learn from younger colleagues. Embrace reverse mentoring. The tech may be new, but your ability to lead through uncertainty is timeless. Lead like a human, not a résumé.

And then future-proof your team, not just yourself. Encourage continuous learning. The focus should be on experiments rather than their final results. Create spaces that recognize adaptability as a valuable asset instead of indicating disorder. The world speeds up daily so your role is to support your team members in staying current without exhaustion.

Bottom line

You’re not obsolete. You’re seasoned. You’re not behind. You’re timelessly equipped. The game has evolved but the player maintains their available moves. Maybe fewer followers, but more wisdom. Less flash, but deeper roots.

Whether you’re pivoting or leading, you’ve still got game. And this chapter of your life might just be your best yet.

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Francis Kong has launched his new YouTube and podcast channel: Kongversations with Francis: Where sharp minds meet smart talk – one meaningful conversation at a time.