GETTING PREPARED FOR GENERATION Y & X

"GENERAL" CHARACTERISTICS

A review of the research on the two younger generations yields the following comparative characteristics:

                           Y*                                                    X

Team oriented	Independent/autonomous
We-oriented: teams, friends, group  loyalty	Me-oriented, self centered
Create community	Looking for community
Family focused	Create surrogate families when  necessary
Tech savvy	Tech savvy
Communitarian values	Individualistic
Optimistic	Survival-minded
Expect to be treated well	Crave respect
Want feedback, mentoring	Want feedback, mentoring
Want guidance, direction	Want to be in control
Want training	Want training
More conservative in dress,  behavior	"Their way"
Comfortable with parents, older  generations (admire them)	At odds with boomers and older  generations
More trusting of elders	Often cynical
Comfortable in organizations	Free agents
Positive, "Can do" attitude	Skeptical
Demand authenticity	Appreciate directness
Want "a life", personal time	Want "a life", personal time
Expect to get what they want	Sense of entitlement, demanding,  looking out for themselves
Used to being busy all the time	Willing to work hard for a given  time
Short attention span	Short attention span
Defer to authority	Reject authority
Meetings appeal for social aspects	Impatient with meetings
Expect diversity in workplace,  friendships, tolerant of differences	Open to diversity
Interest in investing; expect big,  quick gains	Hedging
Serious, purposeful, fun	Fun required