Were You Born After 1975?

For the past couple of days I've been thinking about the impact of young people on corporate work. Today, I made a video to ask YouTube viewers and blog readers to give me your thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you.

Comments

[Brian Reich]

I read the article as well. I agree that this generation (I am 29, so I guess it is my generation too) is not satisfied with the way corporate structures allow for advancement and not interested in following the established models. And they shouldn't be. That existing model is not in line with the way that people today -- of all ages really -- get information, collaborate, and similar. We don't have to wait around and follow a set of instructions to do anything else in the world today, why should we have to do it at work?

I see this unfolding every day in my workm but the offenders are not the Generation Y folks, they are the leadership of the companies who are failing to realize the tremendous opportunity they have at their disposal. You don't see companies training young people as well as they used to, supporting them. You see people being placed on projects because of their title and not their capability -- and when titles are based as much on age and experience, not insight or effort, that throws the system out of whaack. And, when you see basic activities being rewarded on the same level as exceptional effort and accomplishment (because, god forbid, you would show favoritism based on the potential one person has), you dis-incentivize someone to work hard. It makes me so frustrated.

That said, I don't think characterizing the group as being narcisistic is appropriate. We have always promoted an American culture of achievement. If you work hard, you will succeed. Well, Millennials, and others in/around this category are working hard and not being recognized. There are only a handful of set paths through which they can be seen as being highly successful -- things like getting a graduate -- but that is in conflict with the models of success that we see profiled in the media (think Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook).

Anyway, I wrote a whole chapter about this in my book, Media Rules! (which will be published by Wiley & Sons in November -- you can search for it on Amazon.com). I am interested to hear what other people say and to discuss this issue further.

Keep in touch.