From
Goodreads ~
Millennials are often stereotyped, they are "entitled," seek promotions prematurely and require constant praise. They see themselves, however, buried in historically high student debt and thwarted by an outdated workplace structure.
This ground-breaking book is an indispensable resource to help Millennials, Gen Xers and Baby Boomers create a more effective work environment.
The book separates myths from reality, and provides practical advice, based on detailed research, to strengthen intergenerational teams and develop the next generation of talented leadership.
There are three generations comprising today's workforce:
- Boomers - born between 1946 and 1964
- Gen X - born between 1964 and 1978
- Millennials (or Gen Y) - born between 1978 to 2000
This book had four goals:
- Analyze and build upon research about the Millennials and provide new insights on how Millennials view work as they begin their careers in the midst of an economic crisis
- Help Boomers and Gen X better meet the opportunities and challenges that Millennials bring to the workforce by providing practical recommendations for strengthening intergenerational teamwork and relationships
- Help Millennials navigate their way through the complexities of today's work environment
- Highlight the opportunity available to all generations to make needed changes in the workplace that will benefit everyone
There are three parts of this book:
- The key behaviors attributed to Millennials as well as Millennials' reactions to what other generations say about them
- The impacts of the behaviors in the workplace, including the ways in which disinterested leadership styles, inflexible work practices and ineffective management can play into Millennials' reputation at work
- The adaptations that are needed in the workplace to adjust to changing demographics while offering advice to Millennials as they learn to navigate their career
It was interesting to read about how different the Millennials are from the Boomers (like me) who raised them and why they are the way they are.
Millennials rely on social networking and text messages as their preferred form of communication. When they get to work, it's a different story and they must feel like they are stepping back in time where primary communication is face-to-face, by phone or email. In some workplaces, the use of social media is forbidden and/or blocked. So even though they know/think that their communication styles are more efficient, they must adapt to the way it's always been, the way that most Boomers and Gen X are more comfortable with and in a lot of cases, don't realize there is indeed a better way.
Millennials grew up having their parents manage everything for them. They watched their parents work hard to get ahead in their careers and be able to provide their children with everything. The Millennials don't want this lifestyle for themselves and are willing to give up higher salaries and working longer hours for more time for themselves and with their families,
It will be interesting to see what things will be like as more and more Boomers and eventually the Gen Xers retire and the Millennials take over as our business leaders. Will there be much of a change? Will the Millennials be able to handle being leaders?
