Greetings! To get straight to the point, how do you enjoy working with today's youth?

Here's the context: A partner at my firm forwards me this Fast Company Article about the cultural divide in today's work environment. In a nutshell:
He then asks me to think it over and provide "some thoughts"... which translates to, "return with insightful and clever remarks, and hopefully, something actionable that can be incorporated into some social-development initiative for our office/region."

First off, I am pleased that the leadership here has taken such interest. My second thoughts were to solicit feedback from a sampling of the aforementioned generations. Which leads me to this forum.

So, what types of challenges have you personally encountered from working with Gen X/Yers? How about things that you've found invaluable? Management-methods (or Jedi mind tricks) that helps keep the peace?

I would appreciate your honest replies whether it be in the form of ranting and raving, constructive criticism, personal anecdotes, or haiku.

Cheers!

(and if it matters, I am Gen X)

 

Oh. And I did consider posting a similar request/invitation for our GenX/Y audience... but realized the effort would be futile. They would not be able to read past the first 3 sentences before losing their attention to <insert your choice of gadget, tv show, something with flashing lights>.

 

I have always found that the two things that work best with any generation is a)just tell the truth, and b)lead by example.

For some reason, I've always found that every generation responds well to these.

 

[QUOTE=Hitman,Jan 24 2006, 05:50 PM] Oh.

 

I manage the office for a local manufacturing shop. We occasionally hire students from the local Vocational school to work as welders or machinists. We have had "hit or miss" luck with the students.

Many of them aren't ready for the real world, but who is? Some have had too much given to them by their parents and aren't ready to have to earn a living. I don't think they have the same work ethic we did. We knew if we didn't work, we had no $. This is not an issue for some of them as Mom and Dad have been very generous with them, and they have not wanted for much.

On the plus side. We've had a few good ones come though our doors. We hired one student part time before he even finished his training. He's worked for us a total of about three years now. I've seen him grow, mature and take responsibility in the past couple of years.

There is hope, but I think they need a bit more guidance than we might have.

 

In our business (oil and gas ) they get it or get out. Alot of the kids we get dont know how to work, we usually weed through those pretty quick. There are exceptions , depends on their attitude and willingness to learn.

 

^That's about it.

But I get paid by the minute so here are a few more thoughts.

Managers should take the time to explain things to their reports. It doesn't matter which generation the manager is from, or which generation the reports are from. Most inter-generational problems come from a failure to understand the point of view. So take time to explain what you expect, what you want and (shudder) why you want it. Encourage questions and ask the reports to tell you what they plan to do in response to your explanation. This will help you understand what they heard you say, and it gives you a chance to correct any miscommunications

One example. I find a lot of boomers (like me) complain that a lot Xers and Yers don't show much initiative. I find it helps to let them know you are looking for some initiative. Maybe they think they are just supposed to sit in the corner and wait for you to talk to them before they do anything. Maybe they don't know how to put their thoughts into action.

Sadly, time is always at a premium and so people don't want to waste time with long explanations (and let's face it, many subordinates think the boss is just a big windbag anyway and don't want to listen to him/her.) But careful explanations help and in the end save more time than they use.

I also notice the Xers and Yers are more group or team players than the traditionals and boomers This represents a real difference in how the people think and get things done. It is good to keep peoples' comfort zones in mind when working together.

 

For the most part, I'm glad I'm now retired.

 

Absolutely. Take the time to explain and take the time to listen.

 

I was born in early '60s (end of boomers)
My two kids were born in late 80's.

I (unlike most of my peers) did NOT give my kids everything on a silver platter. I saw what that was doing to their peers and refrained from doing so. (and quite frankly, we don't have the $$$ to either! lol).
I told relatives to start giving them money for christmas/birthdays in their early teens---so they would learn the value of a dollar. They found it harder to buy a video game or clothing at full price---they learned to wait for sales or do without. Both got jobs as soon as they turned 16. DD had one at 11; babysitting.

We told them we would match any money they saved for a car when they were in High School. Our daughter saved $3,700.00 in three years. We matched it. She got a 2001 Dodge neon.
Our son actually didn't need to save as much. I had an old '93 Mazda MX-6 I was getting rid of when I got my S2000. He only had to come up with $750.00.

They pay their own expenses (gas, repairs, tires, registration) and we cover insurance until they turn 18. After that, they are on their own and must get the insurance in their own names.

My son (now 17) was hired on the spot (wearing his express pants and button down shirt) at the age of 16, as a file clerk for an insurance company $8.00 an hour to start. He's worked there over a year now, two hours a day after school. On school vacations he can work 8 hr. days there, if he wants to. Everyone there loves him. They ask him to find the files they mis-filed. He does it in record time. He is always complimented on his work ethic. He recently got a second job (after I taught him how to drive a manual transmission on my S2000<vbg>). He works as a valet, parking cars at a country club. He also makes $8.00 a hr. there, plus tips. (and side note: drove a porche and told me it sucked compared to the S2000)
My daughter (20 yrs old) is a lifeguard at the aquatic center at her out of state college. She works to pay her tuition and her car insurance. She has been at the job a year and a half. She was recently asked to take the test to be promoted to Pool Manager. Her work ethic is also cited in her reports.

My son wants to be a state trooper. He's applying to colleges now.
My daughter wants to be a pediatric nurse. She's in her second year of college.

My Gen Y kids are doing okay---
but they've seen plenty of their friends 'crash and burn' already.

That's my 2 cents.

Planky