I am sick of being treated like a child.
Criticism and doubtfulness are two things that Generation Y knows well. We’re just kids. We’re not jaded yet. We’re too optimistic for our own good. So much of upper management seems to underestimate the power of Generation Y’s youth and optimism. Instead of embracing our passion, some try to squash it, attempting to put us in our place.
We don’t need to be put in our place or treated like we’re children because people are threatened by our enthusiasm. I’ve seen this so many times before. The old adage stays: Misery loves company. It’s immeasurable how many times I’ve come into a situation with a smile on my face and optimism sprinkled over every word only to encounter someone that is genuinely mad! about me being that way. The same goes with success. It’s a lonely road to the top for some.
So, how do we go around this? I know I’m not backing down from feeling like I’m worth being respected. Yes, I will continue to prove myself, but my youth should not be a negative aspect. Management is losing out on the insurmountable potential of a generation that is brimming with confidence and is genuinely looking to make a difference. We’re connecting with each other professionally, utilizing our tech-savviness to share information. We’re self-motivated, using any way we can to further our professional lives.
We have this untapped potential. And, it’s not being cultivated while we’re feeling pushed down because of our age. We know what we deserve. And, some may think we expect too much, but I think we expect too little. Generation Y does not want to become much like the generations before us: jaded, bitter, and pessimistic. So, if you want your next batch of management to be better, you should treat Generation Y better.
It’s simple. Eventually, Generation Y will be running the workforce and those companies that turned their backs on the “pampered generation” will be finding it very difficult to retain a talented staff. The companies that have caught on (think, Google) will be the ones that are making a difference and rising high.
Companies need to remember that an overly experienced person did not create the most popular and revolutionary social networking site of our time. A 23 year old did.
I suggest instead of companies criticizing how Generation Y wants to be treated, they should just try treating them that way. See how it goes. I have this inkling that they’ll be surprised at the outcome.
What do you all think? Do you think Generation Y should stop expecting so much? Is our attitude getting in the way of our job performance?
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Great post, Jamie! Experience is a threat to innovation, and we constantly need new ideas and people to challenge us so that we can continue to move forward. Lots of people don’t like change though of course, but for our economy to prosper, that’s the one thing we need.