Remember a few weeks ago when I asked what topics you would like me to write about?\u00a0 It was a resounding \u201cThe Millennials\u201d.\u00a0 To honor that request I am writing a two-part piece for you on that subject and more.\u00a0 Part one deals with looking at how other generations have \u201cgrown out\u201d of their narcissism\u00a0 (me, me, me generation) \u00a0and what this might mean for you as you engage with the Millennials.\u00a0 Part two will focus on the ten principles of how to be successful with the Millennial generation.\u00a0 So here we go!<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have trouble making decisions. They would rather hike in the Himalayas than climb a corporate ladder. They have few heroes, no anthems, no style to call their own. They crave entertainment, but their attention span is short. They hate yuppies, hippies, and druggies. They postpone marriage because they dread divorce. They sneer at Range Rovers, Rolexes, and red ties. What they hold dear are family, local activism, national parks, and freedom.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n What generation would you guess this Time Magazine was talking about? Millennials??\u00a0 SURPRISE! This was actually a take on Generation X back in the dark ages of 1990.\u00a0 Yep, that\u2019s right \u2013 back in the day, Gen Xers were known as dumb, grungy, slackers who were politically disengaged, disrespectful and insecure.\u00a0 \u00a0Turns out every generation\u00a0start out with some very negative stereotypes and every generation starts out being fairly narcissistic.\u00a0 To be perfectly honest, this is\u00a0an adult development stage that eventually we all simply grow out of.\u00a0 Another given that typically plays into the “generation wars”\u00a0is the fact that every generation vilifies the next.\u00a0 Always.\u00a0 But, what would you say if we could turn that around by identifying and understanding what some of the early traits are for the next generation, the Millennials in particular, and then\u00a0be on the cutting edge of leveraging their strengths and building a more diverse, engaged talent pool?\u00a0 First, let’s take a look at each of the generations…<\/p>\n<\/div>\n What Is In a Name?<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n I did a little investigating into finding out what the traits of the generations were when they were young vs. as they matured into their career.\u00a0 Here is what I found in the research which consisted of The Gallup Poll\u00a0and the Pew Research Center.\u00a0 I think you will find this super interesting:<\/p>\n Baby Boomer\u2019s Youthful Traits:<\/strong> <\/p>\n Generation X Youthful Traits:<\/strong> <\/p>\n Millennial\u2019s Youthful Traits:<\/strong> With all of this research piling up…what do you notice?\u00a0 There are so many descriptors that can overlap and even be mistaken for another generation.\u00a0\u00a0One of the biggest issues I hear about Millennials in organizations is the \u201cwork ethic\u201d question.\u00a0 “Why don’t these kids work as hard as we did?”\u00a0 According to the data, Millennials who were polled agreed that Work Ethic and Moral Values are traits they feel the older generations have a better handle on. Interesting!\u00a0 The research also indicates that the younger generation works hard, but likes to work smart and in spurts.\u00a0 See the nuances?<\/p>\n So the big task here is for you, dear readers, to look at the Youthful Traits of the Millennials and realize your generation had some questionable traits in the beginning as well.\u00a0 Instead of focusing on those negatives, look to the Possible Traits that can be nurtured in the next generation.\u00a0 Remember, this new generation likes to please so your coaching and mentoring should be well received…and if it not, it may likely be a bad\u00a0fit for the culture, not a generational issue.\u00a0 Next week I will be following up on what you can do to nurture these amazing Millennial traits as well as the “watch outs” for this younger generation.\u00a0 Have a great week!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Remember a few weeks ago when I asked what topics you would like me to write about?\u00a0 It was a resounding \u201cThe Millennials\u201d.\u00a0 To…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":809,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n
\n Generation<\/strong><\/td>\n Birth Years<\/strong><\/td>\n Famous People<\/strong><\/td>\n Defining Moments\/Perspectives<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Baby Boomers
\n(79 Million)<\/td>\n1946-1964<\/td>\n Oprah
\nJohn Mackey
\nBill Clinton<\/td>\nVietnam War and Nixon Years
\nIdealistic, Collaborative, Respectful, Money Focused<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Generation X
\n(51 Million)<\/td>\n1965 – 1980<\/td>\n Julia Roberts
\nTiger Woods
\nElon Musk<\/td>\nLatch-Key MTV Generation
\nMulticultural Friends Replace Family, Work\/Life Balance, Fiercely Independent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Millennials
\n(75 Million)<\/td>\n1981-1996<\/td>\n LeBron James
\nBritney Spears
\nMark Zuckerberg<\/td>\n9\/11 and Columbine Shootings
\nCivic Minded, Entitled, Multi-Taskers, Travelers, Digital Natives<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nIdealistic, Anti-War, Self-Centered, Question Everything, Spend Now, Worry Later, Hippies, Trust No One Over 30, Self-Centered, Non-Conformists, Experimenters, “The American Dream”
\nTraits That Developed Over Time:<\/em><\/strong>
\nPatriotic, Hard Workers, Team Oriented, Moralistic, Loyal, Ambitious, Live to Work, Optimistic, Responsible, Traditional, Collaborative, Value Equality, Money Motivated, Goal Centric, Mentors<\/p>\n
\nDisrespectful, Insecure, Politically Disconnected, Fiercely Independent, Grungy, Lazy, Street Smart, Isolated, Philosophizers, High Debt, Rebels, Short Attention Span, Brand Loyal, Angry, What Is In It For Me?
\nTraits that Developed Over Time:<\/em><\/strong>
\nFlexible, Determined, Voracious Learners, Entrepreneurial, \u00a0Tech Savvy, Self-Deprecating, Small but Powerful, Innovative, Discerning Taste, Unique, Revenue Generators, Informal, Self-Reliant, Pragmatic<\/p>\n
\nPolitically Skeptical, Non-Religious, Unattached, Needy, Disloyal, Broke, Opportunistic, Needs a \u201cTrophy\u201d, Entitled, Distracted, Well-Traveled, Disengaged, Doted On, Pleasers, Stimulus Junkies
\nPossible Traits We Have to Look Forward To:<\/em><\/strong>
\nFiscally Responsible, Work-Life Alignment, Passionate, Entrepreneurial, Global Worldview, Change Agents, Spiritual, Respectful, Progressive, Educated, Inclusive, Confident, Social, Ambitious<\/p>\n<\/div>\n