Managing Generation Y

[SF_Express]

You know, not to diminish by any means that this is an important and legitimate subject, I ask this more lighthearted question:

Are there still places where the new people are sent out to get food or coffee or whatever, and that's just the way it is?

I couldn't imagine ordering an entry level person at our place to do that these days.

 

[Songbird]

Gen X'er. 36. In the biz for 18 years or so.

Pretty good posts so far, and Cranberry's post, even if it hurts some to read, is spot-on. I thought about the question after my initial post and wondered how I might answer it without sounding the same way. Not sure I can be any more succinct that Cranberry.

That said, you sound like a go-getter, which is my favorite trait about people in this business. Everything else falls into place after that. So, either start leading at your place or go get yourself a job at a paper with managers who love this game and are receptive to the needs of newsies like yourself.

But also remember that this isn't Little League baseball where you get extra cheers and love from the coach for fielding a routine grounder and throwing the guy out -- because that's what you were supposed to do in the first place.

 

[Bob Cook]

Lack of feedback is something you'll have to learn to deal with -- that's been a problem in this industry since, well, forever. You'll get 100 negative responses before you get a thank you, both from coworkers/bosses and readers. It's called "having a thankless job" (and yes, I'm a desker, too.)

Lack of innovation? Umm, send a note to Sam Zell. He seems to have some ideas about that.

(On a serious note: this isn't a generational thing. The culture of this biz has a lot more to do with it than anyone's age. If you're young, it's new to you. ... It's not new.)

I guess that's part of my question, too. Why does this have to be such a thankless job? I know I'm not the only one who sits around sometimes annoyed that we never hear anything back constructive from our bosses, and I know my generation isn't solely guilty of that either. And so what if I or anyone else feels a little underappreciated? Is it wrong to expect a little appreciation? I work hard every day, but a little pat on the back every once in a while would make me work even harder, as I think it would a lot of people. There are managers out there who are good at this, but it seems like they're few and far between.

If you NEED an external pat on the back to work harder, that's a problem.

You have to look at it this way: your managers are not necessarily going to be brilliant people people. Even the ones who are will not have an intrinsic sense of what you're feeling at any moment. And be careful when you say you want more feedback -- you can't automatically assume it will be good. If you have a completely toxic manager, that's another thing, but a completely toxic manager is NOT one who fails to hand out complements every once a while.

That you're still allowed in the building should count as a pat on the back. Like others have said, if you're not sure whether what you're doing is up to snuff, take the initiative to arranage a meeting. This works the other way -- if the boss doesn't hear from you, he or she assumes you must be satisfied and happy. Anyway, make sure that meeting is not about just you, you, you, but phrased in a way of saying that you want to make sure what you're doing is best for the publication, AND that you want recommendations for improvement. Don't make it sound like you expect the boss to pat you on the head.

Failing that, you can always ask more experienced colleagues how you're doing, and for some suggestions. In some ways, they might be more open and honest than your boss. Again, don't ask for this expecting to hear about how great you are. Because if you figure you're already so great, then why do you need people to tell you? Plus, there's no better way to infuriate more experienced colleagues than to carry yourself as if you expect a shiny apple for your brilliance.

 

[Lollygaggers]

I guess that's part of my question, too. Why does this have to be such a thankless job? I know I'm not the only one who sits around sometimes annoyed that we never hear anything back constructive from our bosses, and I know my generation isn't solely guilty of that either. And so what if I or anyone else feels a little underappreciated? Is it wrong to expect a little appreciation? I work hard every day, but a little pat on the back every once in a while would make me work even harder, as I think it would a lot of people. There are managers out there who are good at this, but it seems like they're few and far between.

Grow some thick skin and deal with it or get over it, or you'll eat yourself inside out.

Coffee black, one sugar. And pick up some Boston creme filled, too.

It's not like I'm hanging on the edge here or anything and pulling my hair out. I just don't think there should be anything wrong with expecting a little of this stuff. That, to me, is part of a manager's job is to keep their staff motivated and in good spirits. And go get your own damn coffee.

 

[armageddon]

You know, not to diminish by any means that this is an important and legitimate subject, I ask this more lighthearted question:

Are there still places where the new people are sent out to get food or coffee or whatever, and that's just the way it is?

I couldn't imagine ordering an entry level person at our place to do that these days.

Don't think it is like that at our place now but I know I shagged a few Cokes back in the day.

Agate slave was the popular term back then, if I recall.

Thing is, it didn't offend me one bit.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

You know, not to diminish by any means that this is an important and legitimate subject, I ask this more lighthearted question:

Are there still places where the new people are sent out to get food or coffee or whatever, and that's just the way it is?

I couldn't imagine ordering an entry level person at our place to do that these days.

This was in the 1980s. Desk chief wants a cup of coffee -- no machine in the department -- hands a kid a twenty and asks him to get him coffee. Kid comes back with a can of Maxwell House. Desk chief says, "What the **** am I supposed to do with this?"

When I was a part-timer, the SE had me fetch him a six-pack of Bud and put it in his desk so he could drink it when finished covering a late event.

 

[armageddon]

I guess that's part of my question, too. Why does this have to be such a thankless job? I know I'm not the only one who sits around sometimes annoyed that we never hear anything back constructive from our bosses, and I know my generation isn't solely guilty of that either. And so what if I or anyone else feels a little underappreciated? Is it wrong to expect a little appreciation? I work hard every day, but a little pat on the back every once in a while would make me work even harder, as I think it would a lot of people. There are managers out there who are good at this, but it seems like they're few and far between.

Grow some thick skin and deal with it or get over it, or you'll eat yourself inside out.

Coffee black, one sugar. And pick up some Boston creme filled, too.

It's not like I'm hanging on the edge here or anything and pulling my hair out. I just don't think there should be anything wrong with expecting a little of this stuff. That, to me, is part of a manager's job is to keep their staff motivated and in good spirits. And go get your own damn coffee.

Now you're starting to lose me just a bit.

The ultimate responsibility for keeping YOU motivated and keeping YOU in good spirits belongs to YOU and no one else.

Would a pat on the back help? Yes.

Will it satisfy an individual who NEEDS such feedback to thrive or survive? Nope.

 

[Lollygaggers]

I guess that's part of my question, too. Why does this have to be such a thankless job? I know I'm not the only one who sits around sometimes annoyed that we never hear anything back constructive from our bosses, and I know my generation isn't solely guilty of that either. And so what if I or anyone else feels a little underappreciated? Is it wrong to expect a little appreciation? I work hard every day, but a little pat on the back every once in a while would make me work even harder, as I think it would a lot of people. There are managers out there who are good at this, but it seems like they're few and far between.

Grow some thick skin and deal with it or get over it, or you'll eat yourself inside out.

Coffee black, one sugar. And pick up some Boston creme filled, too.

It's not like I'm hanging on the edge here or anything and pulling my hair out. I just don't think there should be anything wrong with expecting a little of this stuff. That, to me, is part of a manager's job is to keep their staff motivated and in good spirits. And go get your own damn coffee.

Now you're starting to lose me just a bit.

The ultimate responsibility for keeping YOU motivated and keeping YOU in good spirits belongs to YOU and no one else.

Would a pat on the back help? Yes.

Will it satisfy an individual who NEEDS such feedback to thrive or survive? Nope.

You're right, and I should have said it is part of their job to HELP keep their staff motivated. So is there anyone else out there who DOES think this is a generational thing on any level, or is it entirely just part of this business, no matter how old you are?

 

[Bubbler]

I just don't think there should be anything wrong with expecting a little of this stuff. That, to me, is part of a manager's job is to keep their staff motivated and in good spirits.

Holy crap. You know someone's on shaky ground when they utter a phrase, "... is part of a manager's job" when there is no evidence here that indicates you've managed ****. How would you know what a manager's job is?

Worry about yourself, don't worry about the people working around you, including your manager.

Contrary to your opinion, they are not your morale coach. Their job is to put out the best product possible, which may or may not require ego-boosting exercises. In fact, there are times when it requires some ego-destroying exercises. It requires both depending on the circumstance, but often times, there's no circumstance that requires either. Young workers have to learn there is not validation tied to every task.

Part of the definition of work ethic is working for the sake of doing your job right, not because you get a star on your paper. That's what managers appreciate.

In turn, managers should repay their employees with honesty. Managers should repay good work ethic by being their department's advocate when need be, but also, to be honest with employees to let them understand you have to be management's advocate at times too.

 

[Songbird]

You know, not to diminish by any means that this is an important and legitimate subject, I ask this more lighthearted question:

Are there still places where the new people are sent out to get food or coffee or whatever, and that's just the way it is?

I couldn't imagine ordering an entry level person at our place to do that these days.

Don't think it is like that at our place now but I know I shagged a few Cokes back in the day.

Agate slave was the popular term back then, if I recall.

Thing is, it didn't offend me one bit.

Exactly. My first job at the LB P-T was paradise. I did grunt work. A lot of grunt work. All the grunt work no one else did. And I loved every second of it because it meant I got to be in the same sports department as some legends in the biz. You learn a whole lot as a kid just watching. Does anyone ever cut their teeth anymore?

 

[Some Guy]

You know, not to diminish by any means that this is an important and legitimate subject, I ask this more lighthearted question:

Are there still places where the new people are sent out to get food or coffee or whatever, and that's just the way it is?

I couldn't imagine ordering an entry level person at our place to do that these days.

Don't think it is like that at our place now but I know I shagged a few Cokes back in the day.

Agate slave was the popular term back then, if I recall.

Thing is, it didn't offend me one bit.

But when you came back with the correct Coca-Cola products, did your manager give you a pat on the back and say you did a good job?

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

Sometimes I just want a hug. Or a pat on my bicep from Erin Andrews.
Is that soooo wrong?

 

[Some Guy]

Sometimes I just want a hug. Or a pat on my bicep from Erin Andrews.
Is that soooo wrong?

Mike Nadel says it is.

 

[Songbird]

I just don't think there should be anything wrong with expecting a little of this stuff. That, to me, is part of a manager's job is to keep their staff motivated and in good spirits.

Contrary to your opinion, they are not your morale coach. Their job is to put out the best product possible, which may or may not require ego-boosting exercises. In fact, there are times when it requires some ego-destroying exercises.

Excellent point, Bubbs. This is where you know if a kid has the skin for the biz or not.

 

[Bob Cook]

I guess that's part of my question, too. Why does this have to be such a thankless job? I know I'm not the only one who sits around sometimes annoyed that we never hear anything back constructive from our bosses, and I know my generation isn't solely guilty of that either. And so what if I or anyone else feels a little underappreciated? Is it wrong to expect a little appreciation? I work hard every day, but a little pat on the back every once in a while would make me work even harder, as I think it would a lot of people. There are managers out there who are good at this, but it seems like they're few and far between.

Grow some thick skin and deal with it or get over it, or you'll eat yourself inside out.

Coffee black, one sugar. And pick up some Boston creme filled, too.

It's not like I'm hanging on the edge here or anything and pulling my hair out. I just don't think there should be anything wrong with expecting a little of this stuff. That, to me, is part of a manager's job is to keep their staff motivated and in good spirits. And go get your own damn coffee.

Now you're starting to lose me just a bit.

The ultimate responsibility for keeping YOU motivated and keeping YOU in good spirits belongs to YOU and no one else.

Would a pat on the back help? Yes.

Will it satisfy an individual who NEEDS such feedback to thrive or survive? Nope.

You're right, and I should have said it is part of their job to HELP keep their staff motivated. So is there anyone else out there who DOES think this is a generational thing on any level, or is it entirely just part of this business, no matter how old you are?

The various reports about your generation say it is particular to people your age, and you're doing nothing to dispel the stereotype. However, many people early in their careers expect they're going to get some sort of pat on the back, and don't. The sooner you realize a steady and accumulating paycheck is that pat on the back, and the sooner you become responsible for your own motivation, the better you will be in your career. The best people I've known didn't need a manager to tell them when they were good, and when they stunk. They knew. And they also knew how to handle their manager when they knew they were good, and the manager thought they stunk. I recommend you read up on how to manage your manager. And that you stop waiting for someone to provide external motivation. We are all disappointed no one takes the time to tell us how special we are.

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

If these guys can't handle a lack of praise from a manager how do they deal with soccer and swim parents? Or athletes and athlete parents who don't tell them they like what they read in the paper? Or cranky football coach press conferences where the coach doesn't know them by name (See Don Nehlen)?

How will they ever survive?


Bob,
I think you're special. You too Bubs and Xan.

Group hug?

 

[Bob Cook]

Thank you, Evil. You're special, too. How about we exchange trophies?

 

[KG]

I don't think it's anything against your generation, but I do think your reaction has something to do with how your generation has been conditioned.

For the record, I'm an Xer, so I don't have that much room to talk, but it was still different for us.

As I was getting older, back in my school days, more and more laws were passed to prevent punishment of children for anything wrong they did in school. Consecutively, the direction for approval took a sharp turn towards people making a big deal out of everything good that you did.

Psychiatrists agreed (in which laws soon followed) that you couldn't do or say anything to a child by way of punishment that would embarrass them. In other words, not only was paddling taken out of schools, but you couldn't even make a child stand in the corner of the classroom for punishment. Instead, people were instructed to ignore the bad behavior for the most part and jump to the other end of the spectrum to go above and beyond to praise kids who were doing things the right way.

At a young age, it seems like a good idea, but when that continues throughout childhood, that child becomes an adult who has been conditioned to have a strong need of praise and approval. Gen Y just caught the beginning of most of these changes, so I can't imagine how it's going to be in another 20 years or so.

When these kids grow up and get into the real world, it seems like a pretty harsh place, because there's no one there to hold your hand and stroke your ego. I don't think lack of praise is limited to just this industry, I think it's pretty common with all of them.

For the record, I see absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to get a little of that stuff, I just wouldn't expect it.

 

[Flash]

You're right, and I should have said it is part of their job to HELP keep their staff motivated. So is there anyone else out there who DOES think this is a generational thing on any level, or is it entirely just part of this business, no matter how old you are?

Is your sense of entitlement in contrast to your lack of experience a generational thing? God, yes ... as much as I've learned with our student interns at least.

 

[silvercharm]

You know, not to diminish by any means that this is an important and legitimate subject, I ask this more lighthearted question:

Are there still places where the new people are sent out to get food or coffee or whatever, and that's just the way it is?

I couldn't imagine ordering an entry level person at our place to do that these days.

Don't think it is like that at our place now but I know I shagged a few Cokes back in the day.

Agate slave was the popular term back then, if I recall.

Thing is, it didn't offend me one bit.

When I broke into the biz in 1976, one of my jobs every shift was to take a buck or 2 from the full-timers, take soda pop orders from the dozen or so people in the office, and head to the vending machine. this took place three or four times a shift.