Generation Y is comprised of those individuals born after 1978. While being young and full of fresh ideas and unlimited energy is a wonderful thing, Baby Boomers don't always find Gen-Yers quite so endearing in the workplace. In fact, it seems they just naturally butt heads.
In today's workplace, Baby Boomers typically are in the power positions, like managers and supervisors. They've worked hard to get there and, according to HR magazine, they're sometimes offended by the way Gen-Yers seem to think they know everything. And, in return, Gen-Yers don't understand why their bosses treat them like "newbies." However, since those in the Gen-Y group number more than 80 million, employers will just have to find a way to make their working relationships, well...work!
Sommer Kehril, a consultant at The Centre for Organization Effectiveness in San Diego offered several tips to make things run more smoothly in the article she wrote for HR magazine, had these suggestions to offer to Baby Boomer bosses:
1. Rather than putting Gen-Yers through formal training programs that they sometimes find demeaning, offer on-the-job training through "informal" but sincere mentoring. Tell them about situations you've encountered personally and how you overcame them. But, beware, Kehril says, "They have a discerning eye for the difference between 'fake' mentoring and genuine interest."
2. When giving instructions to Gen-Yers, ask them to respond by confirming the directions you just gave in an email or voice mail message. Keep in mind that Gen-Yers were raised with shorter articles, television programs, and news reports, so their attention spans can sometimes suffer.
3. Assign some authority and responsibility to Gen-Yers. Giving them some responsibility helps to instill a sense of pride in a job well done and keeps them engaged in the business at hand.
Those are definitely great suggestions, but those of us in the floral industry would like to offer one more-use flowers and green plants to decorate your workplace. In a recent study conducted at A&M University, flowers and plants were scientifically proven to boost the productivity of employees. Participants in the study were divided into three categories: (1) those working in places with no decoration; (2) those working in offices decorated with sculptures; and (3) those working in buildings decorated with flowers and green plants. At the end of the study, those who worked around flowers produced more ideas, were more innovative, and were better able to creatively solve problems.
So, if Lindsay Lohan's increasingly publicized inability to get along with her coworkers is to be solved, perhaps her employers should consider following the tips offered in HR magazine and send Ms. Lohan some flowers to decorate her dressing room. Gen-Y or not, flowers are always a pleasure to have around, even for big movie stars.
Copyright: Copyright © 2006-2008 Wesley Berry, AAF
About the Author:Wesley Berry is member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) and President of Wesley Berry Flowers, a successful multi-million dollar floral business that was established in 1946. As a member of the Henry Ford Hospital Community Relation Board he has contributed to the community at large. He owns both a brick and mortar and an internet flower delivery business. Visit Wesley Berry Flowerson the web at www.800wesleys.com.
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