Of the nearly 125 million employed Americans, roughly 42 million (33.6%) were born between 1963 and 1977.

As the workplace increasingly reflects the diversity within our society, the need to understand the difference of others has become more commonly accepted. Of course, most discussions of workplace diversity revolve around differences of gender and race (and, less frequently, sexual preference).

Indeed, such diversity issues are extremely important to Xers. As the first generation raised from birth and educated with affirmative action, we are not only comfortable with people of diverse origins, but have come to expect social environments which offer a good mix of people and promote a wide range of perspective. We have learned that diversity fosters creativity and innovation.

While workplace diversity has received much attention in recent years, there has been a tendency to gloss over generational difference in the workplace, despite the profound differences in attitude and perspective among workers of different ages. It is too easy for more senior workers to view such differences with young workers as a function of youthful naivete.

The cautious, self-reliant, information savvy Xer -- committed to adding value, closely monitoring results, and adjusting daily to changed circumstances -- may be a new breed of worker. But, she is not naive. The changes in the economy, which come as such a shock to those of other generations, are the only working conditions Xers know. We may be as difficult to accept as downsizing and reengineering, but our difference is one of the great unmaximized assets of American industry. Business leaders who recognize that asset and learn to maximize the value of Xers' difference put their companies ahead of the curve with a wonderful strategic advantage.

- Xers account for 29% of the 3.3 million secretaries in the United States, as well as 43% of receptionists, and 52.8% of file clerks.

- Of the 6.7 million retail and personal sales workers in the United States, 50.5% are Xers, dominating apparel sales (54.4%), shoe sales (64.4%), and the cashier's position (58%).

- Xers account for 34% of computer systems analysts & computer scientists, as well as 39.8% of computer programmers.

- Xers account for 19% of the 693 thousand physicians in the United States, as well as 49.4% of occupational therapists, 48.9% of biological technicians, 45.6% of health technologists and technicians, 43.4% of physical therapists, 37.9% of respiratory therapists, and 36.9% of biological and life scientists.