There is a reason that the nickname for Minneapolis is “The City of Lakes. One of the perks about living where I do is that I am with two blocks of one of these lakes and briskly “walking the lake is a convenient way to get my daily exercise , and because the city keeps the walking path plowed all winter I can get out pretty much everyday , unless the wind chill factor in the winter is dangerously low , and that is an entirely different subject!
When spring comes to the Twin Cities, however, EVERYBODY seems to be out walking the lake. A common sight along the path is a parent pushing a stroller with a baby or toddler inside. Today there was a little boy , somewhere around 24 months old – struggling to extricate himself from the stroller. His parents did not help him , nor did they stop him. They just watched as parents do when their kids do something for the first time. Within a few seconds, this young toddler was bounding gleefully down the path stopping only to joyfully touch each new dandelion he came across. There was a sense of discovery and wonderment that, of course, his mother needed to capture on the digital camera she just happened to have in her tote.
This event reminded me of the employee a manager keeps confined to her cubicle. And casts a wary eye when the employee is not at their desk poised in front of the computer , working. How much creativity are we stifling by simply the way we organize office space and the way we expect employees to work. I’ve always said that we organize around a purpose and that every organization is perfectly organized to get the results it gets. I think this true of workspace and style as well. Any thoughts?
What exactly were you trying to say CBS?
In researching media coverage of the Millennial Generation, I just came across this CBS News video that aired on November 21, 2008. Titled “Gen Y Social Misfits?”, I am still trying to figure out the point of the story. Is that Gen Y is the most techno-savvy generation? Is it that twenty-somethings spend so much time online that they have lost the ability to communicate face-to-face. Or is it that the Millennials spending so much time online has altered their brain wave patterns?
In general, I found the title of the piece to be inflammatory, the overall tone of the video to be negative, the focus unclear, and the net result to be one that perpetuates the “we (all of us well-adjusted people) vs. they (the Millennial Generation that needs to be fixed)” diversity tension.
Here is what I see as relevant:
1. The fact that twenty-somethings are “native” technology speakers is a good thing. That is their gift.
2. When a Millennial texts his or her friends, they are engaging in their version of “face-to-face” conversations.
3. Yes, by the year 2011, Gen Y will make up between 50 and 60 percent of the workforce. Ernst & Young is a company ahead of the curve in recognizing this demographic fact.
4. Why not make training in generational differences and face-to-face communication required for EVERYONE? Finally, visit any organization today and I think you will agree that it is not only the Millennial Generation that could benefit from a refresher course on face-to-face communication