Once again, we see another study published bashing Gen Y. The Ernst & Young findings suggest that 18 to 32 year olds are entitled, not hard-working and not good team players. Media outlets including Time, CNBC and Money pick up and amplify these studies and the beliefs about Gen Y are reinforced. We tend to believe what we see in print. I’m a Boomer and I’m just not buying it. I read it in the business press but I don’t see it in my day to day interactions with my own employees or my own children. More important, there’s solid data to support my disbelief.
Gen Y vs Gen X
Let’s look at how Gen Y and Gen X (33-48) influence their
co-workers. The Corporate Leadership
Council has identified the ability to Influencing co-workers as the single most
important competency for global leaders. So, Let’s look at Gen Y from the this perspective – How do they
influence and is it different from Gen X or Boomers for that matter? We’ve found significant generational
differences in how people influence others. But, this data does not paint a picture of entitled, lazy, self-centered
twenty-somethings. When it comes to influencing others, Gen Y is
significantly less likely to use asserting as an influencing style than Gen X. In fact, they most resemble Boomers in their
willingness to use assertiveness as a strategy for getting their way. Gen Y and Boomers are more likely to engage
in negotiating as an influence style than Gen X. Gen Y and Boomers are even more likely to
attempt to bridge with co-workers when promoting their ideas than is Gen
X.
Beyond the Stereotypes
So the data says Gen Y is less assertive, more likely to
negotiate and more likely to bridge with coworkers. Gen X is more assertive, less willing to
negotiate and less likely to bridge with co-workers when promoting their
ideas. When it comes to influencing Gen
Y actually resembles Boomers more than any other age group. So where do these negative ideas about Gen Y
coming from? Possible answers: 1) Surveys
that question a disproportionate number of Gen X workers and base their
findings on that age group. Gen X is different than Gen Y but does that
make them better? 2) The studies
conducted in top-end firms such as Ernst and Young prefer to hire graduates
from elite schools. Maybe they are more
entitled but are they representative of their entire generation.
Everyone take a deep breath. Stop perpetuating these beliefs that Gen Y is somehow “less than” their
older and usually senior co-workers. Maybe
Gen Y is different but different does not have to be negative. Blogs and tweets that make good copy and attract
attention can also reinforce inaccurate perceptions. Take
what you read with a grain of salt and keep an open mind.
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