Comments on: 4 Things You Might Not Know About Generation Y http://www.ere.net/2008/10/14/4-things-you-might-not-know-about-generation-y/ Recruiting intelligence. Recruiting community. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:18:04 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jeff Whiting http://www.ere.net/2008/10/14/4-things-you-might-not-know-about-generation-y/comment-page-1/#comment-9278 Jeff Whiting Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:37:21 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=4271#comment-9278 It's not right, it's not wrong...it just is. These are the words of Ken Whiting from his recently released book, WAVES for teenage Workforce Success. Today's generation come equipped with a different set of skills. A set of skills which includes a suburb understanding of technology, unlike any other generation…thanks in largely to the internet. Today’s teens would be hard pressed to perform any of the traits and skills that their predecessors performed, and vice versa. At least from the workplace prospective, a change is needed to get today's teens engaged. Policies and procedures that worked in the past...simply don’t anymore. Attention spans and learning curves are totally different then they used to be which is causing this uproar in our society regarding Generation Y. Let’s understand our differences and focus on our strengths. With 4 generations in the workplace today, if we divide and conquer our skill sets…we should have no issue moving forward as the world’s best. It’s not right, it’s not wrong…it just is. These are the words of Ken Whiting from his recently released book, WAVES for teenage Workforce Success. Today’s generation come equipped with a different set of skills. A set of skills which includes a suburb understanding of technology, unlike any other generation…thanks in largely to the internet. Today’s teens would be hard pressed to perform any of the traits and skills that their predecessors performed, and vice versa. At least from the workplace prospective, a change is needed to get today’s teens engaged. Policies and procedures that worked in the past…simply don’t anymore. Attention spans and learning curves are totally different then they used to be which is causing this uproar in our society regarding Generation Y. Let’s understand our differences and focus on our strengths. With 4 generations in the workplace today, if we divide and conquer our skill sets…we should have no issue moving forward as the world’s best.

]]> By: Menashe Schorr http://www.ere.net/2008/10/14/4-things-you-might-not-know-about-generation-y/comment-page-1/#comment-8115 Menashe Schorr Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:41:16 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=4271#comment-8115 My first question of course is "What flavor was the Koolaid, Penelope?" Oh my. My first question of course is “What flavor was the Koolaid, Penelope?” Oh my.

]]> By: Bill Glaves http://www.ere.net/2008/10/14/4-things-you-might-not-know-about-generation-y/comment-page-1/#comment-8093 Bill Glaves Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:11:39 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=4271#comment-8093 I wanted to add one more thing to my previous comment. Steve Roesler, author of the All Things Workplace blog, did a great two-part post entitled "Does Generational Difference Really Matter?" earlier this year. It is the best item I've read on this subject and is worth reading if you're interested in a fact-based assessment of the generations at work. You can find Steve at www.allthingsworkplace.com I wanted to add one more thing to my previous comment. Steve Roesler, author of the All Things Workplace blog, did a great two-part post entitled “Does Generational Difference Really Matter?” earlier this year. It is the best item I’ve read on this subject and is worth reading if you’re interested in a fact-based assessment of the generations at work. You can find Steve at http://www.allthingsworkplace.com

]]> By: V P http://www.ere.net/2008/10/14/4-things-you-might-not-know-about-generation-y/comment-page-1/#comment-7957 V P Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:59:50 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=4271#comment-7957 Hmm interesting. Few different views here... I think Robert has the biggest point in that there is no way you can generalise an entire generation. But that being said, I am a classic gen-y, born in 85 and I work in recruitment. Classic in a few of the above and other points I have read: - Excellent with technology, like very excellent. I am pretty much IT support for my team, even tho we have an IT department. Pack a Jailbroken IpPhone, use every up to date application on the net etc... - Want it now. Guessing from the fact that im in recruitment, I wanted cash and wanted it fast. - Career changer. I have had about 20 jobs in my life. I have been working since I was 11. I have switched careers from IT to Finance to Recruitment and straight sales is in the long term horizon. - Productivity. A point I thoroughly agree on, about myself, but not for all gen-y'ers. I am uber productive. I use all sorts of productivity apps, read lifehack, am super fast on every type of system, keep multiple to-do lists, calendars, and have alerts on my phone and computer for everything. - Team players, half-half. If the team playing aspect contradicts with the "I want it now" mentality, I think "I want it now" will win. Otherwise, yes, good team players. Things I disagree with from the above post: - Conservative? not me. not any of my friends. far far from. Altho, I agree with the home staying, but I believe thats because its too expensive to move out. There is no way I would let my parents even close to negotiating my salary, mostly because I feel I would do a far better job. As with everything else. And there is no way I would move home, ever… - Woman have more power? Not something ive seen. Admittedly I live in Aus so may be different, but im definitely not seeing that trend here. So yeh, thats my take. Enjoy ! Hmm interesting. Few different views here… I think Robert has the biggest point in that there is no way you can generalise an entire generation.

But that being said, I am a classic gen-y, born in 85 and I work in recruitment.

Classic in a few of the above and other points I have read:

- Excellent with technology, like very excellent. I am pretty much IT support for my team, even tho we have an IT department. Pack a Jailbroken IpPhone, use every up to date application on the net etc…

- Want it now. Guessing from the fact that im in recruitment, I wanted cash and wanted it fast.

- Career changer. I have had about 20 jobs in my life. I have been working since I was 11. I have switched careers from IT to Finance to Recruitment and straight sales is in the long term horizon.

- Productivity. A point I thoroughly agree on, about myself, but not for all gen-y’ers. I am uber productive. I use all sorts of productivity apps, read lifehack, am super fast on every type of system, keep multiple to-do lists, calendars, and have alerts on my phone and computer for everything.

- Team players, half-half. If the team playing aspect contradicts with the “I want it now” mentality, I think “I want it now” will win. Otherwise, yes, good team players.

Things I disagree with from the above post:

- Conservative? not me. not any of my friends. far far from. Altho, I agree with the home staying, but I believe thats because its too expensive to move out. There is no way I would let my parents even close to negotiating my salary, mostly because I feel I would do a far better job. As with everything else. And there is no way I would move home, ever…

- Woman have more power? Not something ive seen. Admittedly I live in Aus so may be different, but im definitely not seeing that trend here.

So yeh, thats my take. Enjoy !

]]> By: Brandon Umphrey http://www.ere.net/2008/10/14/4-things-you-might-not-know-about-generation-y/comment-page-1/#comment-7955 Brandon Umphrey Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:13:28 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=4271#comment-7955 I always hear "...parents help negotiate their salary," but I've yet to experience or hear of a specific example of this. Anyone else? And if I did encounter this, well, let’s just say they moved down the ladder a bit (Hey, it’s dark down here). Also, I can attest to the "team work" mentality. It warms my heart to know that people can play well together, but typically I see this as a person’s (or people’s) inability to be a specialist in their field. Many of the programmers I run across can’t function without being able to “bounce” their ideas off other “teammates” in a collaborative environment. Satirically, what I take from this is that we now need multiple brains to do the work of one brain. But the "Gen Y" Specialists I do know are driving around in the likes of Mercedes Kompressor convertibles. Guess they’re holding on to a bit of the old school thought- work better than the crowd and make a pile of cash. Plus it’s hard to put your team in a two-seater. I always hear “…parents help negotiate their salary,” but I’ve yet to experience or hear of a specific example of this. Anyone else? And if I did encounter this, well, let’s just say they moved down the ladder a bit (Hey, it’s dark down here).

Also, I can attest to the “team work” mentality. It warms my heart to know that people can play well together, but typically I see this as a person’s (or people’s) inability to be a specialist in their field. Many of the programmers I run across can’t function without being able to “bounce” their ideas off other “teammates” in a collaborative environment. Satirically, what I take from this is that we now need multiple brains to do the work of one brain. But the “Gen Y” Specialists I do know are driving around in the likes of Mercedes Kompressor convertibles. Guess they’re holding on to a bit of the old school thought- work better than the crowd and make a pile of cash. Plus it’s hard to put your team in a two-seater.

]]> By: Crispin Garden-Webster http://www.ere.net/2008/10/14/4-things-you-might-not-know-about-generation-y/comment-page-1/#comment-7954 Crispin Garden-Webster Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:21:05 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=4271#comment-7954 Please, can we just check whether the Emperor is wearing any clothes... I've listened patiently over the last decade to the unfolding dialogue about generational differences and been puzzled by the enthusiasm with which we have embraced and reinforced the urban mythology of Gen Y, Digitals, Millenials and so on. I've watched while people eagerly label each generation and draw stereotypes about their values and ambitions. Yes there are palpable differences but maybe we should lower the temperature on this, lest we start creating self fulfilling prophesies. I suspect if we went back to 1905, 1925 and 1965 we would find that the same dynamics were in play. Each generation throws up its social step advances and in 2035 the Gen Y's will be clapping their gums about the Gen Z's. In reality the key factors at work have never changed... What is the big picture - the strategy, the goals or higher purpose; What is expected of me? How do I contribute to this picture - what are the results I need to deliver; and How will I know how I’m doing? How will I be measured, who will give me feedback, how often and when. I think the generations actually have as much in common than they have differences and we should be careful about creating distinctions that are in fact driven by economics and technology opportunities rather than generational variance. Please, can we just check whether the Emperor is wearing any clothes…
I’ve listened patiently over the last decade to the unfolding dialogue about generational differences and been puzzled by the enthusiasm with which we have embraced and reinforced the urban mythology of Gen Y, Digitals, Millenials and so on. I’ve watched while people eagerly label each generation and draw stereotypes about their values and ambitions. Yes there are palpable differences but maybe we should lower the temperature on this, lest we start creating self fulfilling prophesies. I suspect if we went back to 1905, 1925 and 1965 we would find that the same dynamics were in play. Each generation throws up its social step advances and in 2035 the Gen Y’s will be clapping their gums about the Gen Z’s. In reality the key factors at work have never changed… What is the big picture – the strategy, the goals or higher purpose; What is expected of me? How do I contribute to this picture – what are the results I need to deliver; and How will I know how I’m doing? How will I be measured, who will give me feedback, how often and when.
I think the generations actually have as much in common than they have differences and we should be careful about creating distinctions that are in fact driven by economics and technology opportunities rather than generational variance.

]]> By: Robert Stanke http://www.ere.net/2008/10/14/4-things-you-might-not-know-about-generation-y/comment-page-1/#comment-7952 Robert Stanke Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:01:09 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=4271#comment-7952 I like you a lot Penelope, but don't start generalizing the Gen Y'ers. For example, I am sure not all of them are voting for Obama. Say stuff like that and you will get a bunch of Young Republicans coming after you with pitchforks...! Robert Stanke http://www.robertstanke.com I like you a lot Penelope, but don’t start generalizing the Gen Y’ers. For example, I am sure not all of them are voting for Obama. Say stuff like that and you will get a bunch of Young Republicans coming after you with pitchforks…!

Robert Stanke
http://www.robertstanke.com

]]> By: Bill Glaves http://www.ere.net/2008/10/14/4-things-you-might-not-know-about-generation-y/comment-page-1/#comment-7951 Bill Glaves Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:03:16 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=4271#comment-7951 As I read this post, so many things ran through my mind, including "Is she serious?" Gen Y is more productive than everyone else? The folks who built our interstate highways and some of the great public works projects in history before the era of huge machinery and technology might beg to differ, or even be offended. Gen Y's by their nature work great in teams? I've worked with a few that don't fit that prototype. Stereotyping and speaking for an entire generation is a dangerous thing to do. The tough part of being younger is that you think you know more than you actually do. Wisdom really does come with age. Now that I'm in my 40's, I can look back on my late teens and 20's and realize that I wasn't right about everything and that my strong, what I thought were lifelong opinions about a lot of things have changed. I hope that Penelope and other Gen Y's gain some wisdom with age as well. As I read this post, so many things ran through my mind, including “Is she serious?” Gen Y is more productive than everyone else? The folks who built our interstate highways and some of the great public works projects in history before the era of huge machinery and technology might beg to differ, or even be offended. Gen Y’s by their nature work great in teams? I’ve worked with a few that don’t fit that prototype. Stereotyping and speaking for an entire generation is a dangerous thing to do.

The tough part of being younger is that you think you know more than you actually do. Wisdom really does come with age. Now that I’m in my 40’s, I can look back on my late teens and 20’s and realize that I wasn’t right about everything and that my strong, what I thought were lifelong opinions about a lot of things have changed.

I hope that Penelope and other Gen Y’s gain some wisdom with age as well.

]]> By: Steve Delaney http://www.ere.net/2008/10/14/4-things-you-might-not-know-about-generation-y/comment-page-1/#comment-7949 Steve Delaney Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:22:15 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=4271#comment-7949 That said, Boomers who are not ready to be put out to pasture, have a lot to learn from millenials. The adage "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" could be the death of you. That said, Boomers who are not ready to be put out to pasture, have a lot to learn from millenials.

The adage “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” could be the death of you.

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