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Misconceptions about Gen Y Management
Written by Buddy Hobart on August 21st, 2009
Is it me or do we as humans like to be angry and frustrated? Excuse my rant, but for the past year or two I have come to realize that most media outlets are constantly pushing negative stories and trying to drum up controversy. If the listening/reading public did not like controversy then I guess the media would produce different stories. But, since negative sells, we are stuck with the negative. All of this brings me to my Gen Y point.
Last week I was meeting with one of our senior consultants who just completed a corporate strategic plan for a client. He was saying how negative our client is toward the “expect it all without working for it” generation (or Gen Y). Our client is tired of hearing about how he has to have volley ball teams, softball tournaments and ice cream socials just to get the new employees to even WANT to work there. He does not hold Gen Y in high regard.
When we asked him about his softball, volley ball and ice cream social experiences, he told us he hasn’t done any of that and has no intention of implementing that kind of “playground” work place. We then asked why did he use these examples and why does he believe it is critical to create a “play ground” in order to attract new talent. His response…….it is all he has read about regarding Gen Y! He has not ACTUALLY HAD THE EXPERIENCE, he has just read about it.
Just read about it…..negative and frustrating. That is what seems to sell. Why aren’t there more articles about the volunteerism of Gen Y, or their advances degrees, or their work ethic (which when channeled I believe is superior to The Boomers)?
I think it is sad that positive doesn’t sell, so we are left with not only negative images of Gen Y, but untrue negative images as well.
