A Younger Perspective
Rules for Managing Gen Y is a profile of Alexander Younger, the founder and president of Toronto-based marketing communications firm Design Lab, and Jason Blessing, group vice-president and general manager of the Taleo small and medium business segment. According to the article, Gen Ys want to get involved, get frequent feedback, see the results of their work, and work in a team. As a Gen Y I thought that I’d share my thoughts.
The younger generation wants to know what’s going to happen; they want to feel in charge of their future and a significant part of everything the company is doing even though they may not have the experience to understand it’s not always feasible to have your hand in all those pies. — Alexander Younger
We’ve grown up with the internet, which gives us the ability to learn about anything we’re interested in very quickly. And we’re used to it being that way! So I do want to know about everything that is happening with the business. I get that it isn’t always possible for me to be up to speed on all of our activities. Managers: all you have to say, “this isn’t the right time for you to participate, but you’re learning and you’ll be ready soon.” Positive feedback.
Historically, performance reviews were viewed as an annual occurrence that everybody dreaded. That might be acceptable for older generations but younger generations absolutely expect that to be a more frequent process. It’s a process that engages them in the business. — Jason Blessing
Maybe we don’t understand how flawed the system is (infrequent, tied to salary and promotion, not really about personal development) because we’ve never experienced it.
We think a performance review is a chance to sit with the manager and find out what we’ve done well and what needs work. Seems like a no brainer that everyone would want this as often as possible. We simply want to know how we are doing so we can do better.
Younger workers expect to have a direct line of sight between their work and corporate goals. –Mary Teresa Bitti
Yes we do. I’m young, and have relatively few responsibilities which means I can choose what I want to do. In fact, most of my friends are traveling the world. I don’t want to be doing work that isn’t contributing to driving the business forward. And if it isn’t obvious, tell your Gen Y how their work will do so. I joined to help and contribute, and if I’m not doing that than I’m out. Bon voyage.
Younger workers tend to prefer to work in teams. — Mary Teresa Bitti
At school, working in a group meant safety in numbers a.k.a a lower chance of failing. You could always count on the genius in your group to figure it out!
Owning a project is a scary feeling. But remember, if you don’t try you’ve already failed. And if you fail, and you will, you’ll learn. Not so terrible really.
Gen Y’s do you agree? Managers, does this give you a little more insight into our young and inexperienced minds? Read the rest of the interview at the financialpost.com
