Needy Y'er?

It is true that we Y’ers are used to our helicopter parents flying in to save the day. Some ‘self-reliant’ observers may look at Y’ers as needy; incapable of fending for themselves.

An informal poll of several direct supervisors of a Gen Y’er produced the following statements:

“He would send me text messages well into the evening, even after we had both gone home from work. Even weekends!!”

“He would constantly come to me and ask for me to review his work before he would turn it in to me. It made no sense for me to review the work before I was asked to ‘review’ the work!”

“They think that since mom and dad would make time to praise every little accomplishment that I should take time out to do the same!”

The last quote seems to drill down to the core of the problem. Gen Y’ers grew up in a “Child Centered” parenting trend. The days of “Get me a switch!” have given way to time-out and discussions about inappropriate behavior. This focus on the child has fostered a healthy dose of self-esteem.

To compound the problem, media and marketing firms came into power with the digital age. Painted billboards along the road were replaced with house-sized LED televisions broadcasting a picture of perfection that anyone could achieve. I recall, as an elementary student, being told that I could do or be anything I wanted. College recruiters tapped into this resonating voice and offered the world to newly graduated high school students.

Here are a few tips to use when speaking with a Gen Y’er who seems needy.

Give them what they want!
Spend the time to offer constructive feedback. They thrive on this!

Show them how.
If a project comes and is not what you were looking for, don’t just send them off with a scolding. Communicate to the Y’er about what is wrong with the product and give suggestions on how to improve the end result.

Do not treat them like your child.
It is easy to fall into this trap, especially with the behavior we sometimes exhibit. Instead, take a few breaths and remember that they are a member of your professional team.

Set boundaries.
If a Y’er is texting you over the weekend or calling you at home, when you see them at the office the next day, tell them that you are not normally available after a certain time. Keep in mind that Y’ers become used to instant gratification and communication.