One of important principle we cover in our How to Manage the Different Generations program is that you have to be gentle with Generation Y employees, because they’ve been coddled and told how special and wonderful they are by their parents their entire lives. The problem is that once they enter the world of work, they’re not special.
A manager who attended my seminar in Savannah, Georgia today shared a great example. He’s a real state developer, and his young employee wanted to plant a garden on the roof of one of his buildings, explaining how to would save energy and help the environment (a huge issue for Gen Y). But he shot down her idea because (a.) it would cost too much and (b.) the historic building was built in the 1890’s and couldn’t support the extra weight. Her feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelings were so hurt that she burst into tears and quit.
According to Dr. Meg Meeker, author of “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters”, which is on my recommended reading list, the fastest growing sport in America is skateboarding. Why? Because helicopter parents can’t get involved.
