Managing Generation Y

[Bob Cook]

Thank you, Evil. You're special, too. How about we exchange trophies?

 

[KG]

I don't think it's anything against your generation, but I do think your reaction has something to do with how your generation has been conditioned.

For the record, I'm an Xer, so I don't have that much room to talk, but it was still different for us.

As I was getting older, back in my school days, more and more laws were passed to prevent punishment of children for anything wrong they did in school. Consecutively, the direction for approval took a sharp turn towards people making a big deal out of everything good that you did.

Psychiatrists agreed (in which laws soon followed) that you couldn't do or say anything to a child by way of punishment that would embarrass them. In other words, not only was paddling taken out of schools, but you couldn't even make a child stand in the corner of the classroom for punishment. Instead, people were instructed to ignore the bad behavior for the most part and jump to the other end of the spectrum to go above and beyond to praise kids who were doing things the right way.

At a young age, it seems like a good idea, but when that continues throughout childhood, that child becomes an adult who has been conditioned to have a strong need of praise and approval. Gen Y just caught the beginning of most of these changes, so I can't imagine how it's going to be in another 20 years or so.

When these kids grow up and get into the real world, it seems like a pretty harsh place, because there's no one there to hold your hand and stroke your ego. I don't think lack of praise is limited to just this industry, I think it's pretty common with all of them.

For the record, I see absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to get a little of that stuff, I just wouldn't expect it.

 

[Flash]

You're right, and I should have said it is part of their job to HELP keep their staff motivated. So is there anyone else out there who DOES think this is a generational thing on any level, or is it entirely just part of this business, no matter how old you are?

Is your sense of entitlement in contrast to your lack of experience a generational thing? God, yes ... as much as I've learned with our student interns at least.

 

[silvercharm]

You know, not to diminish by any means that this is an important and legitimate subject, I ask this more lighthearted question:

Are there still places where the new people are sent out to get food or coffee or whatever, and that's just the way it is?

I couldn't imagine ordering an entry level person at our place to do that these days.

Don't think it is like that at our place now but I know I shagged a few Cokes back in the day.

Agate slave was the popular term back then, if I recall.

Thing is, it didn't offend me one bit.

When I broke into the biz in 1976, one of my jobs every shift was to take a buck or 2 from the full-timers, take soda pop orders from the dozen or so people in the office, and head to the vending machine. this took place three or four times a shift.

 

[Songbird]

If these guys can't handle a lack of praise from a manager how do they deal with soccer and swim parents? Or athletes and athlete parents who don't tell them they like what they read in the paper? Or cranky football coach press conferences where the coach doesn't know them by name (See Don Nehlen)?

How will they ever survive?


Bob,
I think you're special. You too Bubs and Xan.

Group hug?

Ahh, I feel so much more loved now.

Anyhoo, cross-threading here ...

Gen-Y is much like (spoiled, whiny, sense-of-entitled) Claudette Colbert in this clip from one of the great movies of any generation, "It Happened One Night."

What Gen-Y'ers need is a heavy dose of Gen-Clark Gable.

 

[buckweaver]

You're right, and I should have said it is part of their job to HELP keep their staff motivated. So is there anyone else out there who DOES think this is a generational thing on any level, or is it entirely just part of this business, no matter how old you are?

It's part of this business, in particular, yes. It's also part of every business -- that's the way the real world works, rightly or wrongly, and kids are NOT being prepared for that reality. I mean, that's life: you have to find meaning in it for yourself. You have to motivate yourself. It's nobody's job to HELP you, it's nobody's job to provide feedback, and it's not a guarantee that you're going to work for people who do.

Generational thing? heck, don't put me in with that group, even if I am the same age. I like feedback as much as the next guy, but if external validation or motivation is that important to you ... well, I hate to say you might be disappointed here. Right or wrong, that's something you've got to deal with. Even moreso as a desker than as a writer.

If that's a problem for you ... and only you know if it is ... well, good luck.

 

[hondo]

Oh sweet Jesus.

Feeling a little under-appreciated, are we? People not running with your great ideas, perhaps? Boss not consulting you before making key decisions? Not sensing an openness to your innovation?

Why don't you call your mom?

Yeah ... all he has to do is open the basement door and yell, "Hey Ma ..."

 

[Flash]

You're right, and I should have said it is part of their job to HELP keep their staff motivated. So is there anyone else out there who DOES think this is a generational thing on any level, or is it entirely just part of this business, no matter how old you are?

It's part of this business, in particular, yes. It's also part of every business -- that's the way the real world works, rightly or wrongly, and kids are NOT being prepared for that reality. I mean, that's life: you have to find meaning in it for yourself. You have to motivate yourself. It's nobody's job to HELP you, it's nobody's job to provide feedback, and it's not a guarantee that you're going to work for people who do.

Generational thing? heck, don't put me in with that group, even if I am the same age. I like feedback as much as the next guy, but if external validation or motivation is that important to you ... well, I hate to say you might be disappointed here. Right or wrong, that's something you've got to deal with. Even moreso as a desker than as a writer.

If that's a problem for you ... and only you know if it is ... well, good luck.

Buck-Dub, you prove over and over and over again that you are a throwback to another time. Sometimes, it's even Ragtime.

 

[armageddon]

I guess that's part of my question, too. Why does this have to be such a thankless job? I know I'm not the only one who sits around sometimes annoyed that we never hear anything back constructive from our bosses, and I know my generation isn't solely guilty of that either. And so what if I or anyone else feels a little underappreciated? Is it wrong to expect a little appreciation? I work hard every day, but a little pat on the back every once in a while would make me work even harder, as I think it would a lot of people. There are managers out there who are good at this, but it seems like they're few and far between.

Grow some thick skin and deal with it or get over it, or you'll eat yourself inside out.

Coffee black, one sugar. And pick up some Boston creme filled, too.

It's not like I'm hanging on the edge here or anything and pulling my hair out. I just don't think there should be anything wrong with expecting a little of this stuff. That, to me, is part of a manager's job is to keep their staff motivated and in good spirits. And go get your own damn coffee.

Now you're starting to lose me just a bit.

The ultimate responsibility for keeping YOU motivated and keeping YOU in good spirits belongs to YOU and no one else.

Would a pat on the back help? Yes.

Will it satisfy an individual who NEEDS such feedback to thrive or survive? Nope.

You're right, and I should have said it is part of their job to HELP keep their staff motivated. So is there anyone else out there who DOES think this is a generational thing on any level, or is it entirely just part of this business, no matter how old you are?

Some advice.

When I first started out (for the first few years) I listened and observed almost 100% of the time and offered few, if any suggestions.

I paid attention to which people on the desk to routinely made glove saves with copy. I knew this because the slot or makeup folks would usually note it during that shift.

I paid attention to which agate people made the operation run smoothy and which ones couldn't spell Coke, as in, Why should I be expected to get you a Koke?

I learned quickly who in the office was proficient and who wasn't.

If I had questions, I always went to those in the former group.

I never thought about suggesting changes and never expected a pat on the back.

I was like a sponge and that attitude proved to be invaluable.

 

[Lugnuts]

Lolly, simple question:

If you don't like it, why don't you quit?

 

[armageddon]

You know, not to diminish by any means that this is an important and legitimate subject, I ask this more lighthearted question:

Are there still places where the new people are sent out to get food or coffee or whatever, and that's just the way it is?

I couldn't imagine ordering an entry level person at our place to do that these days.

Don't think it is like that at our place now but I know I shagged a few Cokes back in the day.

Agate slave was the popular term back then, if I recall.

Thing is, it didn't offend me one bit.

When I broke into the biz in 1976, one of my jobs every shift was to take a buck or 2 from the full-timers, take soda pop orders from the dozen or so people in the office, and head to the vending machine. this took place three or four times a shift.

In addition to getting the Cokes, I, and the other rooks, routinely were dispatched to the local eateries on Saturday afternoon for the weekly Saturday night heck shift.

God I miss those days.

 

[Songbird]

Know a young kid in the biz who has natural talent but is now contemplating hopping to his 4th job in 2 years. Everyone wants to go straight to the bigs without having to endure those Single-A bus trips from Omaha to Osh Kosh. What's the damn rush, kids?