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I became aware of My Loud Speaker, an all-Millennial Canadian advertising agency, when they started to follow me on Twitter. Checking them out on their blog site, I found a wonderfully insightful post by one of the partners, Matthew Tsang. He gave his perspective on what he deemed the top five issues that can stand in the way of their career and life success – and he says they are working on them.

None of the five are newly identified issues or revelations on how they came to be for those of us who have worked with or followed Gen Y/Millennial journeys through the work world so far. But his honest and perceptive take on what’s behind the attitudes and behaviors is a good analysis and reminder for employers, co-workers, educators and mentors. Keeping them in mind can help the different generations work more harmoniously and productively to solve problems and reach common goals.

Here are the five issues and my commentary.

• About technology making us faster – the factor most identified with the Gen Y/Millennials. Tsang wrote, ”It is false to believe that…we as human beings are faster. Important skills like thinking fast (and smart) and problem solving will take us longer than someone with 20+ years of experience.”
• Theoretical knowledge is not actual knowledge. “A lot of what is learned in university and college is theory, and we’ve been taught to believe that the hard skills we learn there is enough to make up for the soft skills we lack,” wrote Tsang. He added, “Until something is experienced, it is never truly learned.”
• The inability to be patient. Speed and desire for instantaneous satisfaction has masked for us the recognition that the trait of patience saves us from making impulsive and possibly harmful decisions.
• Infatuation with entrepreneurism through the exceptional mega-success stories of a relatively few young entrepreneurs and the “cool” factor. Being an inexperienced entrepreneur is very hard work (even harder than for an experienced one) and doesn’t guarantee success.
• Holding back from giving our best.  Tsang called it “just wait until I give my all” mentality. “Everyone, including ourselves, has built up our self-confidence to the point that we believe we can, and will, achieve the highest standards. We put our potential on a pedestal, and we’re secretly insecure in our ability to reach that potential. In many ways it’s unfair pressure to put on ourselves, so we react by constantly reserving our best in hopes that we don’t disappoint ourselves, and others.”

As a Boomer who identifies with three generations (Boomer, X and Y) and whose work has focused on solving workplace inter-generational challenges for a dozen years, I have observed all five of the issues or Gen Y negative attributes Tsang wrote about in his excellent, perceptive and honest blog post.  We all have much to learn about ourselves and each other, and there are many problems we need to solve together as well as great opportunities to pursue. Let’s all keep working on it.

Please share your thoughts with me at pwhaserot@pdcounsel.com or the Cross-Generational Conversation group on LinkedIn.

Phyllis

© Phyllis Weiss Haserot, 2013. All rights reserved.

* The generational chronology for easy reference: Generations are defined by the similar formative influences – social, cultural, political, economic – that existed as the individuals of particular birth cohorts were growing up. Given that premise, the age breakdowns for each of the four generations currently in the workplace are approximately:

Traditionalists:                             born 1925-1942   

Baby Boomers                               born 1943-1962

Generation X                                 born 1963-1978

Generation Y/Millennials               born 1979-1998   

For coaching, training and special programs on inter-generational challenges for and among 4 generations in the workplace, attracting and retaining clients of different generations, and maximizing the potential of young professionals, call or email Phyllis for an exploratory talk or complimentary coaching session at 212-593-1549 or pwhaserot@pdcounsel.com. .

Phyllis is available to speak at your organization or at firm retreats on inter-generational relations and organizational effectiveness topics. Call or e-mail for a list of topics or to custom-tailor your own. 

Learn about our *Generational Wisdom for Mentors and Mentees* programs as well as multi-generational team facilitation. Call 212-593-1549 o e-mail pwhaserot@pdcounsel.com.