Nothing like a bunch of old geezers, ie. the “reporters” on “60 Minutes,” to take on a generation. I am the proud parent of two and the admiring boss (wrong word, but you get the picture) of about 50 of ‘em. I like them so much I wish I were still their age.
Following is from [tag]37Signals[/tag]…
“Millennials” is the nickname for people born between 1980 and 1995. Last week, 60 minutes ran a story about this generation in the workplace. Here’s what viewers learned about this group from the story:
1. Many Milennials think anyone over 30 can’t be trusted and can’t be counted upon to be coherent.
2. Milennials want to “roll into work with their iPods and flip flops around noon, but still be CEO by Friday.”
3. Milennials need someone to teach them that they should cover up tattoos in the office, “especially if you are going to be meeting clients.” They also need to be taught how to eat with a knife and fork and how to work.
4. Milennials think living with your parents while in your mid 20s is “a very smart, wise, economic decision.”
5. Milennials’ parents sometimes phone HR and say, “But my little Susie or little Johnny didn’t get the performance evaluation that I think they deserve.”
6. The best way to keep Milennials as employees is to offer goofy parades, snoozing in the nap room, and plenty of happy hours. Also, managers should shave their head when a goal is reached. Or be in the dunk tank at the summer picnic. “When a senior manager’s willing to do that is, it says we’re all in it together.”
7. Milennials want employers to send a letter to their parents saying, “You know, Ryan did a great job. Yeah, I just wanted to let you know you raised a fantastic son.”
What a crock of shit.
Are you really telling me that 20 somethings don’t know how to use a knife and fork? (Are they potty trained yet?) And they really want managers to write gold star notes to their parents? And they really want to see their managers in the dunk tank at the summer picnic? Dunk tank at the summer picnic?! Yeah, that’s totally what kids are into these days. What on earth is this story talking about?
The unfortunate part: 60 Minutes is like catnip to old people and many of them probably bought into the whole piece. More fuel for the “these darn kids today” fire that older generations seem to love so much.
I guess it’s a constant cycle. “The greatest generation” is always the one that’s about to die. (Really, who can debate them? There’s no one around to argue that the greatest generation was actually those born between, say, 1620-1650.)
And this older group always thinks the latest generation is made up of lazy do-nothings who don’t understand hard work or discipline. It’s like that old Bill Cosby line: “We had to walk to school, ten miles, in the snow, uphill. Both ways!”
Too bad a respected media source like 60 Minutes is pushing this hokum though. I guess they have to sandwich all those Cialis ads with something that demographic will enjoy.
No user commented in " “60 Minutes” on the Millennials: One of Them Sucks "
If a true and dedicated work ethic came along with the desire to have fun, the Millennials would certainly present a nice balance to the world’s workaholics. However, in the years that I have watched this idea develop as I work daily with young people, I find the true work ethic to be missing. “I will only do it as long as it isn’t difficult or doesn’t interfere with my desire to play.” Perhaps that tells us why America is now taking a backseat to other world powers…….the desire to be number one in the world and the desire to lead it has been lost.