New Book Says Gen Y Tough to Handle

There’s a new book out called The Future Arrived Yesterday: The Rise of the Protean Corporation and What It Means for You. I’m not going to pretend I’ve read the book, because I haven’t, but I did read an article on some of the arguments made in the book. Author Michael S. Malone’s take on Generation Y definitely got me thinking.

Here’s his first argument in a nutshell. Gen Y, which is currently entering the workforce in massive numbers, will be difficult to manage. In fact, the exact words are, “Managing this generation may not only be a nightmare, it may actually be impossible.” They are certainly not worker bees and will probably never work at a steady job for a single employer. Basically they’re not the loyal, long-hours type of people.

Excuse me! That’s MY generation you’re talking about. Lucky for Malone, there was a second, less-hostile argument to follow.

Gen Y is fiercely independent, innovative and enthusiastic about rapid change. They have “little interest in ever taking an office job or working for a business that doesn’t change,” but because of this they will transform the economy from that of corporation-focused to entrepreneurial.

That sounds about right to me. I’ve always viewed Gen Y as restless. It’s not that they’re not loyal; it’s that they have this incessant desire to learn more, do more, see more and go further. While I may have been slightly offended as I began to read the article, I’m pretty pleased with the overall picture it paints of me and my generation.

Have a great weekend!