Managing Generation Y

Here they come: the fourteenth generation of Americans. Self-confident and optimistic. Independent and goal-oriented. masters of the Internet and PC. Young adults who believe education is cool, integrity is admirable, and parents are role models. They're blunt. They're savvy. They're contradictory. They're the children of Baby Boomers and the upbeat younger siblings of Gen X. They are the 29 million young adults born between 1978 and 1984 streaming into the workplace whose presence will continue to grow each year for the next ten years. They are Generation Y.

With three to four job experiences or internships under their belts, the Gen Yers know what they want from their careers and how they want to be managed. They pose new challenges for organizations that are already spending time, energy, and money recruiting and training young talent.

What can you expect from Gen Y? If you liked Gen X employees, you're going love Gen Yers. They are like Xers on fast-forward with self-esteem. Like their older siblings, talented Yers are independent and techno-savvy. They are entrepreneurial, outside-the-box thinkers who relish responsibility, demand immediate feedback, and expect a sense of accomplishment hourly. They thrive on challenging work and creative expression, love freedom and flexibility, and hate micro-management. They are fiercely loyal to managers that are knowledgeable, caring coaching that can mentor them to achieve their goals.

What does Gen Y expect from you? Ongoing research indicates that they fourteenth generation has expectations of their bosses such as:

• Provide challenging work that matters
• Balance clearly delegated assignments with the freedom and flexibility to produce results in their own way
• Reward accomplishments with increased responsibility
• Provide ongoing training and learning opportunities
• Establish mentoring relationships

Managing Generation Y is for those who want to become the employer of choice for the next cohort of young adults. Discover the Gen Y traits that pose the greatest challenges to managers as well as the best practices you can implement now to keep these upbeat, techno-savvy workers focused and motivated.