I’ll be the first one to admit that I don’t really understand some characteristics of other generations. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to understand Millennials, but ask me why someone from Gen-X does something and I am totally clueless. And I’m sure that members of other generations feel the same way about Millennials. Which is why when I was reading this amazing New York Magazine article where they interviewed 200-plus 2009 graduates from ten different schools, I felt that there were some things that other generations might want to know about Millennials.
First off, we don’t blame any other generation for the recession.
Do we think that members of previous generations played a role in causing the recession? Sure. But Millennials aren’t blaming anyone for the situation we are now.
Second, we want other generations to know that we are SERIOUSLY different.
We think we are more connected than you, and that you are slower than we are. But being different isn’t necessarily bad. In fact, I think understanding the way other generations see each other is really important.
So let me know, what do you wish other generations knew about your generation? And is it as hard for you as it is for me to understand other generations?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Blake,
In the spirit of full disclosure, I think you know that I spend quite a bit of my time helping members of the different generations “work and play well with others”.
Having many conversations with members of other generations would be a great start. Morris Massey’s research demonstrated a number of years ago that societal events that occur during a child/adolescent’s formative years have a major influence on the characteristics of that generation. Keeping in mind that there will always be variations in the responses you will get, you could ask those from other generations, “what significant events, societal trends, or aspects of pop culture do you most remember, and what impact has that had on the way you work and play”? If nothing else you may get some great stories!
DrJohn
That’s a great idea Dr. John!
I’ll try and write a blog post about it soon.