Wednesday, May 21, 2008

It's My Generation


Y’ers - Generation Why - Millennials - Newbies


Many names are used to identify this new age of working professionals. Y’ers are a phenomenon that has spawned countless books, articles, essays, blogs, and podcasts regarding the best way to understand the new kids on the block. Generation Y seems to be a complex and undefeatable beast; warring with the corporate world.


*fanfare*


Well, worry no longer my friends. I come bearing gifts and words of wisdom.


As a member of Generation Y, I offer the following tidbits to describe who and why we are. I offer advice from the front lines and not prose concocted by consultants hoping to jump on the next bandwagon of money-making ventures *cough*six sigma*cough*.


Gen Y’ers are characterized with the following stereotype: Narcissistic young men and women who are needy, lazy, and selfish while demanding constant feedback, a relaxed dress code, and an entire corporate restructuring for their convenience.


My, we are a handful.


Generation Y, as we all have heard, is defined as those born after 1980 (or 1981, or 1977, or 1978 depending on the author). As heirs to a world most recently run by Traditionalists and Baby Boomers, Y’ers have shaken up the land of Business!


Born into an age of technology and fast answers, Y’ers are graduating from college at a higher percentage than their predecessors and entering a workforce that is comfortable with a mentality of “because I told you so” and not the Millennial thought process of “Why should I care?”


There are many theories on why Y’ers are the way we are. Specialists, PhDs, Gurus, and others have written countless books and thesis papers that determine we are an overly protected generation that relies heavily on our tools. Those in-depth studies don’t help the front line manager or trainer however.


Over the next few weeks I will submit blog posts that will explain the Millennial’s point of view and help you understand what best approach you might take to improve your interaction with that Y’er in your ranks.


Please feel free to comment, email me, or submit post ideas. I am really rather interactive; being a Generation Y’er and all.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is great! You've caught my attention! Can't wait to read more!

Unknown said...

I'm going to subscribe to your blog and keep up with you... :) I was a little sad to realize that I'm not a generation y'er... That makes me a little old, eh? Oh, well. With age comes wisdom...