Stronger Culture. Better Performance.

November 26, 2007 in Generational Diversity 3 Comments

Good Article about Millennials

I found a nice article about the Millennial generation in the workforce from PC World Canada. It is merely one perspective on this generation (that is still defining itself, actually), but it seems balanced to me and doesn’t play into the hype.

For instance, while it talks about this generation’s tendency to use text messaging (and all the mis-spellings and abbreviations that go with it), that doesn’t mean this generation can’t write or speak. As one Georgetown University sophomore put it:

"Five minutes after [students] write their one-line text messages, they go to class and take five pages of notes or go back to their rooms and write 10-page research papers," he says. "I think the world is absolutely valuing speed over quality, but that doesn’t mean we’re incapable of appropriately expressing ourselves."

3 Comments

  1. Joe Raasch
    27.11.2007 at 3:41 pm

    Hi Jamie,
    Are generational differences a real problem in the workplace?
    My research, anecdotal comments, and the quote you highlighted in this post lead me to think there is a bit of exaggeration in the perceived problem. The major consulting firms started putting together focused practices to ‘help with the problem’ of generational differences a year before the topic became a force in the popular business press.
    Could all this conjecture, consulting firm focus, and angst be a solution looking for a problem?

  2. Jamie Notter
    27.11.2007 at 5:34 pm

    Hey Joe.
    I wouldn’t say generational differences ARE the problem, but they are real, and they can contribute to other problems. I agree there is a terrible amount of hype on the topic, and a lot of it is simply “kids these days” syndrome. The point should not be “solve the generational difference problem.” It should be “understand generational differences as you explore people-related issues, because it may come in handy.”

  3. Joe Raasch
    27.11.2007 at 5:55 pm

    Hi Jamie,
    I agree – exploring any people issues with an understanding of generational differences is the key.
    Solving the perceived generational difference problem isn’t the right path.
    I look forward to reading your book!
    Cheers, Joe