Employees: The Next Generation
I'm not a policeman, I'm a princess.
Call us what you like-Generation Millennium, Gen-Y, Generation ME--but the group born in 1977-85 are entering the workforce in droves. The transition for some is not easy, and sociologists are just figuring out why.
You see, the theme of our childhood was the self: self-esteem, uniqueness, the quest to find a personal purpose in life. We were encouraged to dream big, and pursue that dream at any cost. This doesn't translate well to a life lived in the third cubicle from the left, pushing meaningless paperwork day after day. For a generation who firmly believed we would all be circus performers, the reality doesn't quite live up to the hype.
And, quite frankly, we're pissed.
If you're having a difficult time relating to the younger generation of workers, you're not alone. Clashes between generations are especially prominent today with Gen-ME coming of age. Established managers often accuse youngsters of being demanding, spoiled, and self-absorbed. But before you Baby Boomers go rolling your eyes at our high hopes, our inflated sense of self-worth, and our unwillingness to go quietly into the suit-clad world of middle-management, let's examine for a moment how we got here. Then we can decide what to do about it.
