Transcript
Alex (talks to camera): Hey, I'm Alex. One of those Millennials, you know what we're like. A nightmare to manage. Kinda lazy, kinda entitled, kinda narcissistic, attention span, oh hey...
(Alex flaps arms around trying to catch a fly)
Wait a minute while I take selfie.
(Alex snaps a selfie of himself against a museum backdrop)
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Our phones, we love our phones. I mean, who actually reads anything nowadays, anyway?
(Alex is in a cinema, while reading a book)
Like that research from IBM, which suggests Millennials have similar career aspirations to Boomers and Gen Xers, or that report from the White House, which claims Millennials are actually more loyal to their organizations than previous generations.
Or the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which shows that while Millennials spend more time sleeping than other generations, they also work longer hours.
Look, I'm not saying every generation is the same, but maybe we're not as different as the stereotypes suggest.
So when you're wondering how to manage your team members, resist the urge to think of them as an X, a Y, or a Z. Instead, think about what makes each person unique and tailor your approach to that.
Reflective Questions
Once you've watched the video, reflect on what you've learned by answering the following questions:
- How do you challenge generational stereotypes in the workplace?
- Do you use a "one-size-fits-all" management approach? Or do you tailor your management style to each person?
- What steps have you taken to understand the unique attributes of each of your team members?
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