Comments

Quote: "I found that they were living in the moment." Yes! Perhaps they've never thought about Aesop's fable of the Ant and the Grasshopper. Ants are "square" ... or whatever the slang term is now. Grasshoppers are definitely "cool".

Posted by Mike L at September 2, 2006 3:56 PM

After reading the article, I'm amazed, not at the interns but at the guy being interviewed.

The interns sound like the spoiled generation we just raised. For readers on this site, please read this article. There isn't much news here for those interacting with this age group, but it sums it up nicely:

Answering cell phones while in the middle of a conversation

not adhering to any sort of schedule

wearing flip-flops in the office

having to be told to dress appropriately because clients were visiting

showing up late for a client meeting

TELLING the boss you were taking days off when YOU wanted to

Oh and they use technology! I'm shocked! shocked!

My goodness, this guy needs to take charge. These interns are the same group that post pictures of themselves being drunk and half-dressed on social networking sites like facebook.com and thyen complain when an employer might have a slight issue.

This isn't about inter-generational differences. It's about rudeness and the lack of ability to socialize with other people (i.e. you can't always get what YOU want, do what YOU want, etc.).

The good news is there are plenty of talented, young folks out there that are not like this. They were likely in his stack of 80 resumes.

Posted by Jeff at September 3, 2006 7:25 AM

I was listening to the radio this morning and was reminded that Martin Luther King was 26 when he organized the Selma protests. Gandhi was in his 20's when he led India to independence. Sometimes I think we baby boomers forget that youth is not a hurdle one needs to get over before you can lead. Perhaps we need to step out of the way and let them lead us..

Posted by Mike Neiss at September 3, 2006 7:54 AM

we wont know for 40 or 50 years if the new generation is actually different then the current generation that is in charge -
If they can avoid a 'vietnam', they will be actually be different -

Posted by pete stafford at September 3, 2006 10:31 PM

"From what I understand, this generation is also much more willing, if they don't like what they're doing, to just pick up and do something else, even if it means bartending in the interim."
Sounds like rapid prototyping in the job world to me. :)

I was blown away by some of the stuff that was mentioned here. No matter what your generation, I feel that some things are apparent and don't need to be written down and signed. Including, but not limited to: dressing appropriately (can differ from office to office, but flip-flops?), showing up on time (duh), and not answering your cell phone in the midst of a conversation (just rude). Maybe I'm naive when it comes to the business world, but to me those are simple life lessons, in or out of "the cube."

Creativity and youth go hand in hand, as often the young lack the experience to realize why they are destined to fail with certain approaches to problems. But Tom does preach embracing of failures as it is the best way to learn, so I say do it! Hire young, creative, itchy arsed talent and let them fail away!

Posted by Nick Adams at September 5, 2006 9:06 AM

To overstate that the basics of attire, punctuality and general manners are missed by Generation Y is misguided. I'm on right between Gen X and Gen Y depending on whose definition we're using, and my sense is that younger workers are reacting to shifting social attitudes. They know how they would like to work and how they would like to see their employer behave and they are seeking that.

Why should younger workers "suck it up" and accept command and control work environments when they have a choice not to? What younger workers want is (for the most part) exactly what older workers want. Challenging work, flexibility and respect.

The only difference is that they are asking for it where older workers didn't feel it was their place to ask.

Posted by Dean at September 5, 2006 9:32 AM

"What younger workers want is (for the most part) exactly what older workers want. Challenging work, flexibility and respect." Spot on, Dean. And I feel its ok to ask for it as well. However, I do feel that many members of our generation (I'm a Y-Guy) do take too many liberties and a far too casual approach to work. The upshot of it, though, is that it makes us look good when compared to the goof-offs! :p

I feel that the key here is not just recognizing these generational differences, but acknowledging that it will take a very different managerial approach to fully realize the potential of this group. Perhaps a bit more flexibility from the stodgier types, but in general just an understanding of motivations and how to speak to them are important. And perhaps most important (until the boomers decide to hang their hats) is the integration of new and old styles of work without pissing everyone off. Good luck world!

Posted by Nick Adams at September 5, 2006 9:53 AM

Its all about perspective. Funny you should mention answering a cell phone in mid-conversation and attribute it to Gen Y. An alumni of the restaurant business, I can tell you that executive boomers (usually at lunch time) are NOTORIOUS for answering their phones at the table, or (even more inappropriate), while the server is trying to take their order. Ever hear of excusing yourself? Not only is it rude to the person trying to serve you, it is also rude to the patrons in the dining room. Sure, young people do it too on occasion, but those young people are your children...so you are partly to blame for their lack of manners. I'm a firm believer that the "I gotta take this call" mentality did not come from Gen Y....if anything we learned from Dad taking calls during dinner, and being late for our soccer games, and working so late that he kisses us goodnight AFTER we are already tucked in and sound asleep in our beds. I think Gen Y saw how much their parents put their careers ahead of everything else and decided thats NOT the life they wish to lead. Sure, everyone wants to be successful, but the Gen Y-ers are looking for a better balanced life than that of their parents. Can you blame them? There is more to life than work! And, why does work have to be this place where everything has to be done as though you are all walking on eggshells? WHERE IS THE LOVE....THE FUN?!?! If this is the "New World of Work" then why should the new generation do things the old way? The days of the 30 year tenure and gold watch parties are over....THANK GOD. Perhaps its the boomers that need to adapt and not the other way around. Live a little and lighten up! After all, I thought the children are the future? We need to find a way to co-exist peacefully and productively. :)

Posted by Rachel at September 6, 2006 9:26 AM

buy viagra online forum Late to the comment party, but as a 24 year old cube dweller, my attitude has always been that work supports my life and under no circumstances will it be the other way around.

Some things mentioned in the article, like being late for meetings and taking cellphone calls at inappropriate time obviously shouldn't be tolerated as it's affecting other people.

That being said, I don't understand all the fuss about dress codes and working hours and the like. Why does anyone care? So long as I'm doing my job what difference does it make what time I show up, leave or wear? I understand there's a line somewhere and flipflops are probably on the wrong side, but the point stands.

Oh, and I'm not going to give my boss or any higher ups more or less respect or talk to them differently than anyone else. The whole multiple personality thing isn't going to work. :)

There's probably a lot I'm missing so feel free to educate.

Posted by Chris at September 7, 2006 3:06 PM