The stereotype of Millennials is
narcissistic, all future CEOs, and saving the world in Yoga pants. This could not be more wrong. Work with
talented, hard working, collaborative teammates from the shop floor to the
office who want to build great airplanes.
Younger people want
what we wanted at their age. A chance to meet people, develop skills and
take responsibility. We boomers wanted to change the world in blue jeans and
long hair. (At least it was long hair before going grey and falling out)
Millennials want opportunities, good pay, homes, safe
neighborhoods and to raise their kids with a good education. Is that different than prior
generations?
There are some differences in generations. Millennials saw their parents and family
members lose jobs and homes during the Great Recession. They are more empathic,
and faced a challenging economy starting out.
Gen X grew up
with fears from 9/11, and lost opportunities in the Great Recession. Is it any
wonder they value security? Gen X is squeezed between two large populations
groups as they take over leadership.
Boomers grew up
in a hyper competitive time. Felt
bad graduating in the bottom third of my class, until it dawned on me was one
of 220 engineering graduates from a freshman class of 662. Two out of three failed or dropped out. Can you imagine today’s helicopter
parents hearing that? Starting salaries were tight like today’s economy, but we
had severe inflation.
People are not their generations, though events,
technologies and trends affected them. People
are individuals with different goals, talents and loves. But we are all
people.
Treat everyone with
respect. You do not know their challenges.
