Comments on: Listening http://www.generationsatwork.net/?p=28 Blending Boomers, X-ers and Gen Y in the workplace Mon, 06 Sep 2010 07:33:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Ryan http://www.generationsatwork.net/?p=28#comment-73 Thu, 08 Feb 2007 15:09:22 +0000 http://www.generationsatwork.net/?p=28#comment-73 The topic of generations at work has captivated me for the past few months. As a new member of the work force and a "millennial" I have had an extremely difficult time assimilating to the workplace environment. Originally, I thought it would take some adjustment time and eventually I would enjoy it. However, the longer I work the more disillusioned I become. I have noticed this same problem with almost every peer I talk to. I am convinced that there is a fundamental difference in my generation's views of time management and the hierarchical corporate structure, among other topics. A "9-5" is no longer relevant in a global economy with unlimited internet access, and we millenials will never accept that we need to be in an office building strictly for the sake of being there. I have no problem working until all hours of the night if need be and I have no problem working 70 hours one week if that's what it takes to get the job done. Just let me do it on my own time! I may be a little different from others in my generation because my dream has always been to run my own business, but I have decided to quit the corporate world and pursue this dream in the next few months. I can guarantee that many of us have this same thought. (and with the internet etc. starting a company is becoming easier and easier to do) If companies want to retain talent, they need to start changing the fundamental structure of work. Russ, you have a great blog here, thanks for explaining some of the things I have been thinking for months! I hope this helps. The topic of generations at work has captivated me for the past few months. As a new member of the work force and a “millennial” I have had an extremely difficult time assimilating to the workplace environment. Originally, I thought it would take some adjustment time and eventually I would enjoy it. However, the longer I work the more disillusioned I become. I have noticed this same problem with almost every peer I talk to. I am convinced that there is a fundamental difference in my generation’s views of time management and the hierarchical corporate structure, among other topics. A “9-5″ is no longer relevant in a global economy with unlimited internet access, and we millenials will never accept that we need to be in an office building strictly for the sake of being there. I have no problem working until all hours of the night if need be and I have no problem working 70 hours one week if that’s what it takes to get the job done. Just let me do it on my own time!

I may be a little different from others in my generation because my dream has always been to run my own business, but I have decided to quit the corporate world and pursue this dream in the next few months. I can guarantee that many of us have this same thought. (and with the internet etc. starting a company is becoming easier and easier to do) If companies want to retain talent, they need to start changing the fundamental structure of work.

Russ, you have a great blog here, thanks for explaining some of the things I have been thinking for months! I hope this helps.

]]> by: Russ Eckel http://www.generationsatwork.net/?p=28#comment-72 Thu, 08 Feb 2007 03:06:32 +0000 http://www.generationsatwork.net/?p=28#comment-72 Nathaniel, thanks for your positive comment. We particularly like your concept of a "generation of efficacy" and will try to work your idea into future analysis. We also are very interested in the phenomenology of social networks, and appreciate your reference to the egalitarian nature of these social spaces. Nathaniel, thanks for your positive comment. We particularly like your concept of a “generation of efficacy” and will try to work your idea into future analysis. We also are very interested in the phenomenology of social networks, and appreciate your reference to the egalitarian nature of these social spaces.

]]> by: Nathaniel http://www.generationsatwork.net/?p=28#comment-71 Wed, 07 Feb 2007 20:22:13 +0000 http://www.generationsatwork.net/?p=28#comment-71 I couldn’t agree with you more about the differences in work attitude in Gen-Y’s to older folks—many of my age graduate from school into top jobs but very quickly grow disillusioned. Why? We’re smart, achieving, driven—but we don’t fit into the culture of typical workplaces. I’ve called us the generation of efficacy before; we’re used to the egalitarian atmosphere of social nets or the internet itself, not a hierarchal corporation. The “conflict” I see is purely a cultural one—corporations will (of course) continue to function, but smart ones will provide for the changing nature of work. Btw—you’ve got a great blog here. I couldn’t agree with you more about the differences in work attitude in Gen-Y’s to older folks—many of my age graduate from school into top jobs but very quickly grow disillusioned. Why? We’re smart, achieving, driven—but we don’t fit into the culture of typical workplaces. I’ve called us the generation of efficacy before; we’re used to the egalitarian atmosphere of social nets or the internet itself, not a hierarchal corporation.
The “conflict” I see is purely a cultural one—corporations will (of course) continue to function, but smart ones will provide for the changing nature of work.
Btw—you’ve got a great blog here.

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