So, right. Who is this new chick typing ferociously on Kathy’s blog? My name is Jenn Sacks, and I’m the new staffer here at HMP (yes, it only seemed appropriate that in a city full of abbreviated federal agency names, that we’ve taken to abbreviating The Hot Mommas Project). My very quick bio: I’m a self-proclaimed media geek who spent four years working in the entertainment industry for likes of Martha Stewart and Martin Scorsese, three years rocking logistics in the House of Representatives, and currently a part-time MBA at The George Washington University-where I met our @ChiefHotMomma (all hail!). Unsurprisingly, I also like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain.
Now, what isn’t in my bio: I am a cuspy member of Generation Y. Yes, I’m a card-carrying member of the beloved generation that has workplace leadership bewildered and terrified, and consequently has completely smitten the mainstream media. We’re just that awesome.
So, you may be asking the following questions:
- What and who is Generation Y?
- Why is this generation befuddling management everywhere?
Well, you’re in luck. I’m here to help.
What are and who is Generation Y? Also known as the Millennial Generation, the folks who make up this demographic were approximately born between 1982-2000. The dates vary depending on sources, but these numbers are pulled from William Strauss and Neil Howe, who are both well-known for studying American generational differences and its impact on U.S. History. The fine folks at Pew Research Center released an incredible study on the Millennial Generation two years ago that summed up my generation nicely: we’re the most ethnically and racially diverse cohort than generations before us, the most politically liberal, extremely tech savvy (we love the Facebooks and the Twitters), and dig the government way more than those before us.
This all sounds fantastic, no? Gen Y is generally a more tolerant group of peeps, more self-confident, and open to change. So, what’s the big deal? Well, bring on the haters.
Why is this generation befuddling management everywhere? Just like Generation X before us, managers around the country have been stressing out over their new Millennial employees. In my humble opinion, the noise is about one thing and one thing only- it’s because we’re different, and it’s scary. But let me break this down for you here. The general consensus on Gen Y/Millennials is that because we were raised with a generous helping of positive reinforcement, we now exude overconfidence and entitlement in the workplace. Because we’re the “trophy kid” generation, we expect to be consistently rewarded, can’t handle criticism, and expect a hefty helping of work-life balance from our employers. We’re accused with being disloyal to our employers, when the truth is we appreciate change (even the day-to-day sort), and aren’t afraid to push the envelope in the firms that employ us.
CBS News ran an expose about two years ago with some pretty interesting gems on the Millennial workforce most of which, if truth be told, makes me marginally stabby. This one in particular is from Marian Salzman, an ad agency executive who has studied millennial trends:
“Some of them are the greatest generation. They’re more hardworking. They have these tools to get things done.Some of the others are absolutely incorrigible. It’s their way or the highway. The rest of us are old, redundant, should be retired. How dare we come in, anyone over 30. Not only can’t be trusted, can’t be counted upon to be, sort of, coherent.”
But, seriously, doesn’t this just sound like any older generation just complaining about the younger one, and vice-versa? 
From my standpoint, a lot of the negative-musings surrounding Gen Y has a “Get-off-my-lawn!” crotchety ring. I’m not saying that some of the Gen Y behavioral observations aren’t true, but to me what this all comes down to is change. Managers are scared because what “used to work” as effective leadership or approaches to managerial challenges in the workplace just aren’t registering with those “crazy Gen Y kids”.
So- that’s your Generation Y 101 for today. I’m going to be digging up more behavioral research, managerial quandaries, and stabby quotes going forward, but certainly feel free to send a question our way.
Your Millennial,
Jenn Y
You like-y? Here’s more on Gen Y/Millennials:
- Incase you were curious or extremely scared: How Millennial are you?
- Pew Research Center
- USA Today- Generation Y: They’ve arrived at work with a new attitude
- Like to blog? Check out our friends at Genjuice
Know a Millennial woman who’s born to lead but just needs that extra push? Our leadership seminars provide increases in confidence for young women from 10% to 200%. Click here to attend the next SisU.
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I’m on the younger-side Generation X, and I work as a recruiter for a large, well-respected tech company hiring mostly Gen Y. I agree with so much of what you said, but I think change is necessary on the part of both managers *and* the new Gen Y’s coming into the workforce. Managers need a lesson on how to guide and lead this intelligent, hardworking, and diverse generation. Gen Y needs a lesson on professionalism and humility. The basics of workplace etiquette still apply even in 2011, but I’ve noticed some Gen Y new grads (certainly not all) seem to think they are exempt from the rules. Examples:
— I received an email from a 20-something looking for a job. His email address was “___thetoilet@___.com.” Thetoilet was not his surname.
— Several candidates came in for professional interviews wearing khakis and polo shirts, even though business attire was specifically requested. One of those same candidates was actually so shocked that we didn’t hire him, he had his references call and email us challenging our decision.
— A number of candidates I’ve worked with have been much too casual in conversations with hiring managers, even to the point of flirting during interviews, making inappropriate comments/jokes, and one candidate mocked the interviewers’ questions.
Shones– What *epic* Gen Y examples. Thank you!
Honestly, it always surprises me when I hear things like thetoilet or folks being too causal in interviews (both conversationally or not dressing appropriately). I guess it’s probably because none of that would have *EVER* in a million gazillion years strike me as appropriate. Maybe it’s the way I was raised? Maybe it’s because I’m a chick? Maybe it’s because if I’m interviewing heck, I want a job, and you don’t act that way if you want one. 🙂 I’m not sure. I mean, even when I worked in television which is notoriously known for dressing down, I’d show up in a nice suit. I’d think I’d even do it if folks told me not to. So, I guess what I’m trying to say here is I’m wondering whether this is something generational or just some punks not having learned/refusing to get with the program (which exists everywhere). An interesting ponder.
Also, just something that crossed my mind, do you think some of the casual misunderstanding might have something to do with working in tech?
Hi Jenn, thanks for the quick response, and I really appreciate your article by the way. I think about these kinds of issues often and it’s great to discuss it.
I think some of what we’re talking about is unique to certain industries. I also used to work in broadcast media, and dressing down seemed to be the norm, especially if you worked behind the scenes. The same is true in tech. I must say, MOST of the candidates I meet are both professional, humble, and absolutely brilliant. It’s amazing what many of these young adults have achieved by the time they are 22!
I believe some of the less desirable Gen Y traits really are just a result of how they were raised, which puts the emphasis on their parents. And speaking of parents, the helicopter parenting phenomena just blows my mind! Parents, have called me to negotiate on behalf of their adult kids on issues like salary, not getting a 2nd-round interviews, etc. It leads me to wonder if Gen-Y was generally coddled too much. Way too much.
Regardless of the generation you grow up in, you expect those who are coming after you to be respectful and humble. Most of us hit a certain point in our lives where we realize we didn’t know as much as we thought we did, and we need help from those who came before us. It will be interesting to see how Gen Y responds to the younger set when they are in the position of being hiring managers in a few years. My sister, for example, is Gen Y (a 1983 baby), which means she’ll be 30 in a couple years. I imagine the next crop of workers will surely be even more tech-savvy than her generation, which means they will probably expect more strides in technology and innovation from the companies they join.
At the same time, the next generation could also be more fiscally conservative because of what they saw their parents go through during the tough economic times of the last several years (e.g. Enron, rising college tuition, unemployment). I’m thinking about the 60 Minutes piece from earlier this year where a group of children were interviewed on what it felt like to go from a middle or upper-middle class American lifestyle to living in cars and cheap motels because of their parents’ job losses. Some of those kids deferred college to go to work, or they joined the military instead of going to school. I think there’s a fundamental shift taking place in these younger kids. Many of us Gen X’ers and Gen Y’ers generation simply never had to deal with some of this stuff. Anyway, it’s all quite compelling. Sorry for the lengthy reply! Guess I had a lot on my mind.
Proud to be GenY! Thanks for this well researched info!
Me too. Thanks Pammy! 🙂
In response to Shones and Jenn above, I cannot BELIEVE the following.
Shones: ” Parents, have called me to negotiate on behalf of their adult kids on issues like salary”
Noooooooooooo! Ack! Travesty!
This is bad, people. BAD! Parent jail for you! Did you MISS the “teach to fish” memo?
So, two things. (Jenn and I talk about this a lot in the office)
1. I am Gen X. When I graduated from college, people hated us too. Now, we are the black-and-white “don’t mess with us” bosses as far as the generations go. I’m over-simplifying but, Jenn really has something with the universal and eternal “get off my lawn” factor. History repeats itself – sometimes in a way we don’t like, like leg warmers.
2. Older generations are scared that Gen Y has “missed the meeting” on traditional values and professionalism. You know, like, wearing suits, working really hard, and talking to people using your voice. I get questions about this all the time. The questions have escalated over the past 5 to 7 years. But, the questions are not just from the older generation. They are from the younger generation too. “How do I talk to this person?” “How do I approach this person?” Etc. There ARE, anecdotally, some basic social skills I see slipping away as we adapt new social skills. Faster ones. Techy ones. Only time will tell how all these mix together and pop out at the end but, in my mind, the winners will ALWAYS be:
A. The people that master both traditional and new social skills
B. The team players that produce results
It’s really that simple. Oh – and you can come on my lawn any time Gen Yers. Unless your parents are going to try to call me and negotiate your salary.
xoxo
@ChiefHotMomma
Hi Jenn,
Not sure if you’ve seen this one, but it touches on some key differences in how to work with generational distinctions.
http://apps.americanbar.org/lpm/lpt/articles/mgt08044.html
Tony
Thanks for sharing, Tony! I hadn’t seen that yet. 🙂
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