Geoff Lye writes in praise of Gen Y. I really liked the qualities he sees in them. Perhaps especially this:
Looking forward companies face challenges – and equally opportunities – from the Gen Y shifts. To maintain competitive advantage companies must attract the best graduates: Gen Y is less interested in status and high salaries – they witnessed their parents in this struggle – they now have different priorities. They care more about flexible working hours and a better work-life balance. Employers failing to meet their demands are at risk of competitive disadvantage. Gen Y cannot be bought with status and salary – prospective employers must demonstrate progressive values aligned with those of Gen Y – who must believe in a businesses’ mission. As noted above, Gen Y will hold businesses to account in the market for misconduct. And considering the immense power of the new and rapidly evolving tools immediately at their disposal (Twitter, Facebook, blogging, etc), they can communicate this misconduct both swiftly and effectively. More generally, however, Gen Y is incredibly aware of the grotesque social and ecological debts left by previous generations, and they are not prepared to see business further widen the intergenerational injustice.
I’d only add that I’m a little cautious of the generalisation that applies these characteristics to an age cohort. I’m not in Gen Y by age, but I feel I am in attitude and I’m not alone. Sounds like Geoff is too.
Hat tip: Tweet from Tom Farrand
