Did you like the FACE News Makeover?
So, what do you think? Do you like what we’ve done?
 
Last month (in response to your requests), we gave you a new look FACE News. We called it the ‘FACE Makeover’. A few of our readers have told us what they think and the feedback has all been positive. So, what do you think? Seriously, whatever your comments may be, please let us know. FACE News is designed to help you communicate even better; and the more comments and ideas we receive from you, the more relevant we can make FACE News to your needs.
 
One of the makeover changes includes having a certain theme for FACE News each month. Last month the focus was on ‘Gen Y – who they are and how they communicate.’ Well, due to popular demand, we are continuing that theme for this October edition of FACE News.
 
Enjoy!
 
 
ARE GEN Ys IMPATIENT?
by Mike Francis
 
The Gen Y arrives at work on day 1 expecting instant gratification. They expect to feel that they are totally enjoying their new job, including the working environment, within a few days. Then, by the end of their first month in the job, they will start talking about their plans to rapidly rise through the ranks of the organisation; with the likelihood of becoming CEO in just a few years. You may chuckle to yourself about that; but trust me; there is not a skerrick of doubt in their minds. They are deadly serious!
 
Where does their ‘must-happen-now’ urgency come from?
Can’t they see that they’re expectations are unrealistic?!
Are they really that naïve or are they just impatient?
 
Let’s tackle one question at a time.
 
Their ‘must-happen-now’ mindset has many influencers, so we’ll zero in on one. Gen Y’s have grown up in a very turbulent period of time in recent history. Some of the major events that have shaped their thinking include the fall of communism in Europe, 2 Gulf wars, the Oklahoma bombing, 9/11, massive earthquakes, tsunamis and other significant disasters. They see their lives in this world as volatile, unpredictable and potentially short. So they want to get the most they can as quickly as they can.
 
Unrealistic expectations? Compared to what?! Gen Ys are confident in themselves and eager to maximize every opportunity. Most of them have Baby Boomer parents who have encouraged them to “Go for it!” and do what makes them happy. They’ve been given permission (by the most significant authority in their lives – their parents) to have high expectations. And when you couple this with their ‘must-happen-now’ mindset, it’s not hard to see how, to them, their expectations are entirely realistic.
 
Are Gen Y’s naïve? Perhaps. Then again, weren’t you and I and our peers once naïve young men and women? Even today, we could all look into some area (or areas) of our lives and identify degrees of naivety. Are Gen Ys impatient? I think that’s relative to their circumstances, their upbringing and their FACE style. And it’s equally dependent on how our perspectives have been shaped.
 
My conclusion…
No I don’t think Gen Ys are impatient. They are a different generation; different to mine and maybe different to yours. They need to be understood, we need to help them understand us; and those of us with the wisdom and the will, must step forward to take on mentoring roles for them. In the next 10 to 15 years, the Gen Ys will become the dominant generation in the workplace. Due to the size of their generation and the relatively smaller generation that will follow them, they are also likely to remain dominant for a few decades. So how ‘bout we become one big team and prepare them for the awesome responsibility that lies ahead of them.
 
Incidentally, (as mentioned in the September FACE News) we offer specialized training, coaching and consultancy for organisations and individuals who need help in becoming more ‘Gen Y friendly’. If you would like to find out more, simply send us an email to enquiry@facematrix.com.au and tell us what you need. We’ll be back in touch in just a day or two.
 
 
 
Feel the FACEs
If they look worried, they probably are.
 
The Gen Y FRIEND is just as concerned about others (and their feelings) as any FRIEND would be. They worry for you as well as themselves. And, as is the case for most Gen Ys, their inter-personal skills are still in the development stage, so that means they struggle sometimes to express their worries. You can be certain of 1 thing: If a Gen Y looks worried, they probably are. Actually, just assume it is a fact. What they need is for you to create a comfortable dialogue that invites them to share. Give it a try; you’ll be so glad you did.
 
Bye for now.
 
 
Facts Matter
Do the questions ever end?
 
Sometimes it will seem like the questions will never end; especially if you are talking with an ANALYST Gen Y. Like any ANALYST, the Gen Y variety will ask as many questions as is necessary to reach a point of feeling satisfied that it is right to move forward. They won’t dive into action until they know for sure it is safe to do so. Be patient and answer their questions. Besides, wouldn’t you rather that than having them go off half-cocked with only some of the information?
 
Until next month…
 
 
The Bottom Line
Just who do you think you are?
 
Unbelievable! He’s 24 years old. Jeremy has been our IT assistant for only 2 weeks and he’s already telling us we need to make some major changes to our website “as soon as possible”. “Hey, slow down, Sunshine!” I told him; which didn’t seem to dissuade him one little bit. Then Lystie the ANALYST showed me his FACE results. Hmmm… his FACE is almost the mirror image of mine. It was at that point I remembered what I was like when I was his age.
 
In keeping with what Mike illustrated in his article about the patience of Gen Ys, Jeremy is totally normal. He is also entirely sincere about his recommendations. The fact that he was communicating his message like, well… like me, is because he is like me.
 
Well done, Jeremy!
 
Goodbye.
 
 
Speak Up!
Ah, they were a joy to behold!
 
There is never a dull moment in my life and that’s just the way I like it. I’m always out there, living on the edge. One of those “out there” moments occurred just a couple of weeks ago when I was a guest at a universities careers day. The faculty staff were all lovely, and mostly my age. But it was all those recent high school graduates that held my gaze. They represented more than 90% of the crowd – a sea of Gen Ys! Most of them had already been accepted into one of the universities of their preference and they were there to find out more about what to expect in the next several years.
 
Oh, but they were so in their element! When you have that much peer influence in one place at one time, the energy is palpable. It took me back to my days on campus.
 
You know, for all the so-called challenges that Generation Y is supposedly posing those of us from older generations, I think they bring as many (if not more) opportunities for us. We have a lot to learn from these young people. Or maybe I should phrase it as… We have a lot to be reminded of by Gen Y.
 
Think about it.
 
See ya. WOOHOO!!!
 
 
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