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Gen X, Gen Y, Gen whatever
| Guest post by: Howard Miller |
Article Overview: Do you have opinions on someone based on their age?
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Free Download - Jumping to Conclusions By Howard Miller |
Gen X, Gen Y, Gen whatever
An attendee in a management workshop I was facilitating was having issues dealing with all the young, 20 something employees (is this Gen Y?). He felt they were entitled and didn't work hard enough.
Another attendee was younger and was intimated managing people old enough to be her parents.
A third student wanted my opinion on whether there should be a focus on generational issues.
I enjoyed that question. I had a simple answer: No!
Now I know there are books written on how to deal with the different generations, but in my opinion looking at this as an issue leads to a focusing vacuum. Meaning, focusing on this gets you no where, leads to no solution, yet builds your frustration. It's a trap.
While there is truth to some of the generalities associated with each generation, they are generalities nonetheless.
Did the attendee who felt 20 something's didn't work hard enough see the irony that another attendee in her 20's was struggling dealing with older employees?!
There will be people in their 20's that will fit the generalities. There will also be people in their 30's, 40's and beyond who fit the generalities. And there will be people in their 20's that fit the generalities of other age groups.
Until you get specific with what you need the generalities will either make you feel good, stressed or right.
If you take the focus off generalities of age group and look at each person:
- You can measure each person based on their objective goals
- You will see people of all ages have strengths and challenges
- You de-emphasize age and emphasize other traits
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About the Author: Howard Miller RSS for Howard's articles - Visit Howard's website Howard Miller teaches management skills to new managers, seasoned managers, entrepreneurs and executives. He is on the faculty of AMA (American Management Association) and teaches courses including Skills for New Managers, Increasing Managerial Effectiveness, and Successfully Managing People). Topics include delegation and motivation methodologies, conflict, how to deal with difficult people, understanding values and behavior, feedback and listening skills. Clients include mid-range to large companies such as the IRS, Blue Cross Blue Shield, IBM, state government, public school districts, and non profit organizations. Howard also does executive and business coaching with the Ken Blanchard organization. Howard is the author of two book; You're Full of Shift, which contains short stories which demonstrate shifting difficult situations to opportunities and The Manager Trap: 13 ½ Pitfalls to Avoid which showcases common traps and pitfalls managers fall into including using a 4 letter word beginning with F that they should avoid! Click here to visit Howard's website   What have I learned in 6 months of management Part 4 Just the facts Glad to Be Sad The Pity Party Its not fair |
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