For the last 16 years I’ve been a full-time motivational speaker for teens and young adults and have presented for hundreds of thousands of Gen-Y’ers. I have watched this generation grow and evolve and have observed them transition to the workplace. Here are a few thoughts for businesses and managers who employee this generation:
1. Gen-Y’ers are quite conscious about their love of technology and view older people’s technological reluctance as a generational divide. Even email is a little old school for them, as they prefer the speed and convenience of a text message. They thrive in environments where technology and the corresponding lifestyle will be welcomed and embraced.
2. To Gen-Y’ers, technology is more than innovation – it’s fashion. They express themselves through their model of cell phone, their face plates and their rings tones. Technology can’t just be cool. It must make them look cool. That’s why it makes sense to have a Apple Stores in suburban malls.
3. Gen-Y’ers have more distractions than anyone before them. With Facebook, fantasy sports and a constant stream of personal communication, it’s easy for them to lose focus. Educators have been fighting this problem for years. Managers should be reasonably tolerant, but they must also set boundaries and keep this problem in check.
Of course, these are generalizations. Good leaders manage the individual. Still, it’s important to consider how they’ve grown up, what they expect and what might distinguish them from employees of different age groups.
by Scott Greenberg on October 30, 2009
in Motivation
I love what I do. For over 16 years I’ve been a motivational speaker for students, colleges and corporations. I believe deeply in the power of positive messages, if for no other reason, to balance out all the negativity bombarding us each day.
For a conference, school assembly or meeting, a professional motivational speaker is appropriate. For your daily life, it’s totally unnecessary. You can be your own motivational speaker.
My job is to take healthy messages and package them in humor, stories and compelling prose. A large part of my expertise must be in presentations skills and entertainment. At the core of it, though, are the messages.
The way you talk to yourself – your thoughts – is much more powerful than what a motivational speaker on stage can say to you. Ultimately, I’m just trying to get my audience members to be aware of how they think. I want them to choose thoughts that increase their confidence and enhance their drive.
Be mindful of your mind. Think about how you think. Be aware of how your thoughts and beliefs are influencing your actions. Are you pushing yourself, or restraining yourself? Are you your own cheerleader, or are you your own critic?Talk to yourself the way you’d talk to your own child, and be a source of constant support.
As I said, I’m lucky to be able to do what I do for others. The only ones luckier are those able to do it for themselves.
Townsend Junior High School brought me in today to facilitate a leadership training program for students. First I led a group of peer tutors through a team-building activity to teach them the importance of caring and dedication to their fellow students. This was followed by a five hour leadership training workshop with student council officers. It was a wonderful day with some really solid kids.
