Don't Feed 'The Millennials'
Posted by anastasia on 05-28-2008I was watching the "60 Minutes" report on "Millennials" in the workplace and while I've heard everything that was said before (and even wrote a white paper on these issues for nGenera awhile back), the segment left me feeling as though "Millennials" were some kind of exotic animal at the zoo. They wear flip flops to work! They multi-task with technology! They want to have fun! Don't forget to praise them or they'll cut and run! Maybe it was that they had Morley Safer narrating the report — it was like watching grandpa talk about "kids today." Granted, there are some generational differences that are a direct result of technological advances and changing societal norms. But I have to think that Boomers caused similar waves of generational panic when some of them entered the workforce with long hair or Afros.
What really blew my mind was the HUGE industry of consultants who are profiting from this portrayal of "millennials." When I watched the footage of one consultant literally teaching "millennials" really basic work/social skills, I was pretty floored. The insinuation is that we (or parents/society) have raised an entire generation who apparently can't function without workplace readiness training or praise coaches.
I don't think that young people are that different from us (Xers, Boomers) — I think what's different is that some of them (i.e. white collar workers) don't have to learn the hard way like we did as much because there are more choices when it comes to work, and maybe because some parents are allowing them to "boomerang" back home. When I first started working I was incredibly entitled. In my early twenties I thought I knew EVERYTHING and that everyone should listen to what I had to say. I learned the art of politicking by screwing up multiple times (I still screw up) from bosses or colleagues or just not getting what I wanted. This generation is no more entitled than we were. Still, I would have been more nervous about quitting a job back then and definitely would not have moved home.
I hit my mid twenties during the dot com boom — suddenly there were choices. Guess what? I job hopped — had like four jobs in a year. I just wonder how much of this is sort of a chicken and egg scenario. Are we painting this generation a certain way so this consulting industry can profit from "intergenerational strife"? I think there's some truth to the "60 Minutes" portrayal at least enough anecdotes to feel like reality, as well as real corporate fear about being able to recruit and retain young employees — still, I believe they are more like past generations then we care to remember or to admit. What do you think?
Just for fun…
May 28th, 2008 at 11:16 am
I'm glad to hear you say this Anastasia! I also watched the segment this morning, and as millennial, it was somewhat offensive. The most insulting moment was probably when they showed the clip of one of the consultants showing 20 somethings how to eat with a knife and fork. Ridiculous.
Other things did ring true, and I think my age group (that I'm on the top end of) does have some long term effects from growing up in the era of self-esteem, but that doesn't mean that we are a group of buffoons who have no talents to bring to the workforce.
And really, what's wrong with coaching someone with kindness in the work place instead of kickin' 'em when they're down? But, maybe that's just the child of the '80s in me speaking. :)
May 28th, 2008 at 11:59 am
I'm also really glad you posted this. Seriously disturbing how the media is hopping on the "millenials are lazy/evil" bandwagon. I half expect Fox News to start reporting on how "YOU" can avoid losing your job to a "MILLENIAL". Then there will be horror movies about early twenty-somethings in flip-flops killing baby boomers in their beds. Right?
Now… back to my praise coach…
May 28th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
The piece was for sure not filmed in a light that shows how great the vast majority of millennials are doing in the workforce. Unfortunately, that would not be news worthy.
It seems that only the extreme cases make the limelight and the hardworkers get the bad rap.
As a Millennial, and a writer for one of the consultants companies, there is a gap that needs to be bridged between the way we were brought up, the way we do work and the way technology has changed our lives. However, if you can't eat with a fork and knife you shouldn't be applying for a good paying job with benefits anyway!
May 28th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Thanks for posting about this. In my humble and middle-aged opinion, the Millenials are the first generation really poised to make significant change since the "greatest generation". Our organization actually works the other direction - helping established leaders develop millennial leaders. We believe in their strengths and potential.
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I completely agree. Much of what is described as "generational differences" these days has a lot more to do with environmental factors. It's about the technology and the progress that our society has made over years, not something that is inherently different in today's generation. I think the misperceptions are especially overhyped when it comes to the workplace.
The more these stories get put out, the more it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.