Generation Y: Shaping the way we work

Only about five short years ago there was a concern that we would face a serious labor shortage. Baby Boomers were set to retire, leaving millions of jobs to be filled by younger workers. That prediction never came to pass. Instead, the economy tanked and we have workers from all five generations vying for jobs and trying to figure out how to work together.

Job scarcity has created some animosity between the generations. Older workers are concerned about age-discrimination. Younger workers worry that they won’t be able to land good jobs and pay off student loans. And when younger and older employees do work together, it can become a management challenge. A lack of understanding or appreciation for different work styles across the generations often breeds conflict and frustration.

While each generation brings value and unique perspectives, Generation Y is shaping the way we do business.

Ava Diamond, a Fort Collins-based employee engagement expert says, “This generation comes in wanting to add value from day one. They are eager to contribute. They’re ambitious, high-performing, future-oriented, technically-proficient, and goal-focused. They thrive in today’s team-based, highly networked environment. And unlike some previous generations, they are highly collaborative. Organizations that create cultures to leverage this generation will have an unbeatable competitive advantage.”

That is quite a testimonial. Generation Y is growing up and coming into its own. Born between 1977 and 1991, older members of Gen Y are now 30-something. Nearly 80 million strong, Gen Y makes up the largest sector of our workforce. But, regardless of our age, we can adopt fresh approaches to our work. It may be prudent for all of us to take a closer look at what Gen Y is doing right.

To say that Gen Y embraces technology is a bit of an understatement. Using technology is more like breathing to these folks. It just comes naturally. And this close kinship with all things technical allows them to create new products and services, solve problems and to work in a highly efficient manner.

Workers across all generations would do well to keep their technical skills as current as possible. Continually ask yourself how you can harness technology to solve problems or improve systems within the organization.

Many older workers claim that Gen Y is lazy. A closer look reveals something quite different.

They were often latchkey kids with two hardworking parents. They watched as their mothers and fathers put in decades of hard work with their employers. Then many of those parents were laid off and unable to afford to retire.

Generation Y does not want to repeat the mistakes of their baby boomer parents. They realize that there is no such thing as job security and they are trying to strike a better work/life balance. They want the freedom to tend to personal and family needs while still contributing at work. They see no reason to be tied to a desk all day.

Gen Y uses technology in order to work anytime and anywhere. Virtual meetings with video conferencing, downloadable training podcasts, document sharing programs, smart phone apps, mobile scanners and a whole slew of other technical tools and gadgets make it possible to work effectively inside or outside of the office.

In a world where stress is at an all-time high, we would all be wise to follow Gen Y’s example and make work/life balance a priority.

Older workers may be staying late because they feel that they need to show that they are hard workers. Where is Generation Y? They worked hard and then left a bit early to do some mountain biking, take a yoga class, or spend extra time with their kids. And they don’t feel guilty about the decision.

A common complaint about Gen Y is that they lack communication skills. Gen Y would argue that they simply communicate differently. This generation grew up with cell phones and instant messaging. As such, they are very responsive and they tend to keep communications short and to the point.

For Gen Y, email is passé and inefficient. Most of us are probably guilty of wasting inordinate amounts of time during the workday sending and receiving long emails. Younger workers prefer quick messages sent via chat, text or Twitter. These tools allow team members to stay in close contact throughout the day while remaining productive. What may look impersonal is often focus, connectivity and real time communication.

Generation Y is committed to the environment and they have a global perspective. They care about the neighbors next door and on the other side of the planet.

Gen Y wants to work for organizations that are socially and environmentally responsible. They tend to be careful with resources. You can almost hear an audible groan when documents are printed unnecessarily. Why print something out when it can be viewed just as easily, if not better, on a large monitor? It is this kind of subtle pressure that can influence older workers to think before they push “print.”

It is likely that someone from Gen Y sits in a cube near you. They are moving into management roles. Many are following entrepreneurial paths. And they are gradually shaping the way we do business.

“This generation is full of ideas,” said Diamond. “When you combine their enthusiasm and fresh insight with the experience and deep knowledge of other generations, you have a winning combination. They want to be asked. They want to be respected. They want to contribute.”

And in the end, these are the very things that we all want.

Regardless of your age, take time to appreciate and understand Generation Y. Resist the urge to push back or criticize. Find the good in what you see. Maybe even adopt some of their ways of working as your own. Who couldn’t use a bit more work/life balance these days?

Carrie Pinsky also writes the Career Enthusiast blog.

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