Gen-Y Gurus: Hit or Miss?

Most stereotypes are true in some fashion. The problem is that nobody can create a one-size-fits-all cheat sheet for a group of people.

Penelope and I debate about Generation Y all the time. I agree with a lot of her philosophies, but there are a ton that I don't agree with as well because of life experiences that might be unique to myself.

I'm interested in hearing what other people have to say.

And I'll make sure to let Penelope know that you think she's hot :)

I read the article that profiled that "guru" as well and found myself somewhat irritated. If you really read the article, you'll find she was running a business in Africa for most of the years our generation was coming of age and only recently hopped back over to the states to run a consulting business over here. I wonder that maybe people who actually work with Gen Y might have a better perspective than she does. It also mentioned her working with ONE graduate student. So she in fact doesn't have employees of anyone our age, and probably has never worked in a corporate environment with anyone Gen Y.

That being said, I'm kind of sick of all the things people attribute to us negatively AND positively. I don't think AIDs is a big a deal (I assume she means in the consequences for sex) as '90s and post-'90s drug policy has been for our generation. That's where I notice a big shift in that we do not/did not experiment in the same way with drugs that previous generations did because the consequences are so much more dire now.

At any rate, I think older generations forget what it's like to be young. I think they have some supposition that are generation is the "most entitled" despite whatever our personal backgrounds are. I overheard a coworker talking about me the other day indicating that I am "so lucky" to be in the job I have and "not grateful" for it. I wonder if he at my age was grateful for whatever job he had then. He is certainly not grateful for his job now, so I doubt it. People just see a young person, and immediately fit an image to them of an entitled young brat. Nevermind my 7 years of work experience or college degree. If they perceive you to have any better opportunity than they did at your age, even if you worked harder to get there or were more educated, they will resent you for it.

Miles: I read the story and visited her site and got the same impression. When I started my job I heard lots of things about the "junior staff." They were also calling us entitled no matter how hard we worked.

Colleen: I heart Penelope. That's all I'm going to say.

I really liked her time argument- because in reality, if I'm getting paid enough to live and have fun that's all I really need. However I hate it when work bubbles over and takes over all my time. That's not saying I don't care about money- but we can put up with money more than lack of a personal life.

I think a lot of us are more socially conscious but maybe it's because I'm not overly like my roommates who are really leaning that way, I don't think it's that big of a deal.

However I support everything you stand for- I'm just lazier on that issue I guess.

@Dead Hedge, sometimes you get to be a guru by being earlier to something than everyone else. Companies are in a panic over Gen Y b/c it's a large and vocal part of the workforce, and they grasp for answers. So there is a chance to establish yourself as a thought leader early when you hit on a timely topic and can run with it.

I think being a first generation American (I am too) is going to make those Generation Y stereotypes less likely to apply to you. Before reading all this Generation XYZ stuff, I did notice that many of my peers had a sense of entitlement that was foreign to me. And I noticed that many of my immigrant and first generation American peers didn't have it. Many of the factors that people take into account when forming generalizations about generations are America-specific, aren't they?

Patrick,

I think your next post should be all about how hot Penelope is. That is all.

David

Hey Patrick,

I totally agree with you! I have actually written a book on the leading generation Y and have done lots of research as well as serve as a member of the generation as well...

I beleive there is alot of research out there, but most people who talk about Generation Y excluding brazen careerist are those that are not even part of the generation..

Then, the thing that shocks me most is that the birth date by most experts was 1977-1994 and since has somehow changed from 1981 to 2001..Now, how is someone born in 2001 going to be impacted by 9-11?

I do not want to sound extremely negative, but I think its crucial for anyone studying Generation Y to look at different experts and information before making a decision and having personal experiences that clarify points because I can find research that fits alomot anything..

Thanks for the post and have a graet day!

Thanks for reading Anonymous, I hope to read your book someday- if I ever find out what it is!

Bret: That's a really good point, listening is what people need to do more of, whether you are a friend or a corporation- deep listening is what matters.

I don't think that these experts are just riding a wave, they have also down a little listening themselves and are reporting back what they heard.

There's no magically thing makes these experts "Gen-Y Gurus", however they did take the time to study and do some research on the generation and the events and conditions surronding it.

Well at least that's what I think.

Thanks for reading Bret and everyone here!

Hey Patrick,

I got one more thing to say as well...Check out this you tube video..Its pretty intereting in relation to your topic of discussion...

Here is the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoqiRRMQ0fs

Hi Trace,

I agree- while gurus eventually start somewhere as, "self proclaimed" they earn credibility by demonstrating true knowledge, publishing a book, or maybe sharing some points over the media.

I think you become a guru when you possess enough knowledge and have demonstrated it enough that people except your title as guru, and even use it when introducing you.

There is something to be said about those who consider themselves Generational Gurus. With little or nor evidence beyond research, those who claim to either represent or present issues of a lifestyle that did not enjoy themselves is a foreign and misleading idea. It is not the privileged of those who have only experienced something third-hand to really comment authoritatively on it.

Bret - I see where you are coming from, it's like saying you are a baseball expert when you've never played baseball. However we do know there are people on ESPN that used to play the sport, and there's also another segement of people that are just good analysts and writers. Great insight here, thanks for reading!

Andrew- We do want a lot, I've notice we certainly have an "entrepentuerial ambition" of when it comes to our goals and dreams- but I don't think there's anything wrong with that, if you aim for the moon at best you'll land among the stars.