Comments on: Leading across the generations: It’s time to get real http://www.generationy20.com/en/leading-across-the-generations-its-time-to-get-real/ Transformation and Management 2.0 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:46:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Brett H http://www.generationy20.com/en/leading-across-the-generations-its-time-to-get-real/comment-page-1/#comment-157 Brett H Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:30 +0000 http://www.generationy20.com/en/?p=276#comment-157 I think the main problem that many companies face is that they are too scared to take a risk on Gen Y. For many it is easier to continue the same methods and strategies even if it hurts the company's future growth. Many traditional managers dislike Millennial ideas because it is a threat to how they nomarly conduct business, and they see it as one of their duties to 'teach' Gen Y how to conform to the old style of hierarchy and structure. Unfortunately, I think this mentality destroys much of what the mindset of Gen Y offers: a much more open, collaborative style of work. I think we can all agree that these are extraordinary times, and we must seriously look at the ideas of Millennials because the old way of doing things has failed. Having 20 somethings generate new directions for companies can be very risky, and this is where a senior employee/manager can play a perfect role. Senior employees have the experience and wisdom to both temper and manage the extremes that can occasionally come out of this group. However, the relationship must be one of collaboration rather than hierarchy. I also believe that as Millennials help to open the creative side of Gen Xers or Baby Boomers that the older generations will also have new ideas/directions to take the company. In the end I think the collegial atmosphere will make the generations compliment each other much more than they currently do. I think the main problem that many companies face is that they are too scared to take a risk on Gen Y. For many it is easier to continue the same methods and strategies even if it hurts the company’s future growth. Many traditional managers dislike Millennial ideas because it is a threat to how they nomarly conduct business, and they see it as one of their duties to ‘teach’ Gen Y how to conform to the old style of hierarchy and structure. Unfortunately, I think this mentality destroys much of what the mindset of Gen Y offers: a much more open, collaborative style of work. I think we can all agree that these are extraordinary times, and we must seriously look at the ideas of Millennials because the old way of doing things has failed.

Having 20 somethings generate new directions for companies can be very risky, and this is where a senior employee/manager can play a perfect role. Senior employees have the experience and wisdom to both temper and manage the extremes that can occasionally come out of this group. However, the relationship must be one of collaboration rather than hierarchy. I also believe that as Millennials help to open the creative side of Gen Xers or Baby Boomers that the older generations will also have new ideas/directions to take the company. In the end I think the collegial atmosphere will make the generations compliment each other much more than they currently do.

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