What has been your experience working with younger generations?

Question

What has been your experience working with younger generations? I've heard mixed to negative things about what it's like working with Millennials and Gen Z.

If you are a Millennial or Gen Z, what has been your experience working with older generations? How do your coworkers and managers view you (or how do you think you're viewed)?

Inspired by this article: Millennial boss says Gen Z job applicants have listed ‘brat girl summer’ and ‘Harry Styles enthusiast’ as work qualifications

DishLady · Accepted Answer

😂 😂 😂 Well I'm not getting into all the negatives because some convos can be super confusing, even frustrating, however the big positive is that it keeps your mind "fresh" by challenging old norms. Some norms you end up keeping, but others shift a little to keep up with the times (which is a job skill we all have to develop).

The one negative I'll mention is that some of the youngsters don't have a sense that THEY can be in the wrong with anything. (It's what happens when everyone gets a trophy even when they do nothing.) They're into complaining and "canceling" anything they don't agree with rather than having the conversations that folks (40+) used to.

There's a range of folks in their 30s who are caught in the middle of the 40+ crowd and the GenZ crowd, which can be a particular hassle because you end up being the mediators for a lot of their intergenerational exchanges, being the actual problem solvers, etc. But that's par for the course. It was my role in my 30s, for example. Passing that baton over very gladly, though now I'm the "elder" who young mentors come to for guidance on what to say, lol. (I laugh because from where I stand now I know that no one ever really has all the answers, so it's important to be patient with every generation and just see things through as much as possible... be willing to train, but don't tolerate poor behavior.)

TheRealPepperPotts · Accepted Answer

I've worked with all kinds of ages and have almost always been able to figure out how to get someone on my team. Occasionally, I run into issues with women older than me. Basically, if they decide they hate you, nothing you do or say makes the slightest difference. I've learned to stop trying and ignore them outside of necessary interactions, which oddly has the effect of gaining a begrudging respect from them. But most people I work fine with.

exitseven · Accepted Answer

I managed a group of technicians. Most were in their 20s. I hired them myself and they were mostly good employees. Many of them moved on to bigger and better things.
I am teaching the next generation of Network Engineers at a local college and I really like working with young people.

TheSpaceGnome · Accepted Answer

I'm a millennial, and I never got along well with most people in any generation.

I get along better with people who are on the higher end of the intelligence, talent, and creativity spectrums, but unfortunately for me, thats rare.

Agape93 · Answer

Millennial are fine. Gen z suck to work with, and suck to hire.

strateguy632 · Answer

Bad, youngsters around me seem lazy n irresponsible.

NathanDavis · Answer

positive... excellent but, I am the one who hires them and trains them, so...

worldscolide · Answer

My age and back are fine... Gen z.. a massive pain in the ass.

Account · Answer

Very positive so far.

theiona1 · Answer

Im 13. What am I?

jahaims · Answer

They are pussies

Staximus · Answer

Lazy slackers

What has been your experience working with younger generations?

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