Millennials, or Generation Y, are those individuals born between 1980 and 1995. These young adults are entering the workforce enmasse and, once baby boomers begin to retire in droves by 2010 or so, will become the new middle management working class. These young adults, in three years or so, will be the predominant cause or excuse of the next great companies. They will be doing the work. We hope they will be prepared.
A precursor to career advancement is earning respect from your bosses and your co-workers. It is like the sophomore basketball player who might be good enough to make the varsity in a couple of years. He is earning the respect of his coaches and teammates even now, by working hard, attending extra practices, doing all the drills and so on. This respect, whether or not accompanied by an increase in talent, has earned him a place on the bench. I might well be wrong…“frequently wrong, never in doubt”…but I think some Generation Y workers could care less about “respect.” Instead they believe that charisma and sheer talent as they define it will serve them into the future. They believe that their place on the bench is assured, just ‘cuz.
Here are ten things to earn respect now in the workplace.
1. Master email communication. Learn every tool and technique there is to better communicate via email. To the point: write well. Don’t use “ur,” when you should use “you’re.” Get in the habit of re-reading your emails and editing them. I am not sure if sloppy spelling and poor writing can be switched off when you get that middle manager spot. Study a basic punctuation textbook again…the first time, chances are you didn’t see the value of it. Eats, Shoots and Leaves is my favorite.
2. Don’t complain. Or even whine. Have you ever noticed how performers hardly ever complain, they simply figure out a way to solve problems? If you complain now, you are setting yourself up for a lifetime of bitchin’ and moaning.
3. Learn new stuff. Trust me, you probably do not know everything you will need to know in the future. Get a mentor and find out what you don’t know now. Us boomers feel very paternal toward this group. We want to help. Taking charge of this process will earn you respect.
4. Don’t say stupid stuff. Does your dad believe that 9/11 was a government conspiracy? Don’t bring this up. Did your grandma spend a weekend with aliens on their ship? Don’t admit this. Do you think the stock market is fixed to make the middle class lose all their money? Don’t bring this up, either.
5. Take the iron out. Seriously. It might have been fun to put that post through your eyebrow, but unless you want a career flipping burgers, take it out at work. And, if you are thinking about that way-cool tattoo that goes down your arm clear to your wrist, please don’t.
6. Manners matter. Remember those things that Mom and Dad lectured you about? Do those things, except more. Say Please and Thank You. Open the door for others. Look people in the eye when you speak to them. Etc.
7. It is not multi-tasking, it is just rude. I remember once when I was talking with someone I respected, his phone rang. Instead of answering it, he just let it ring. He said he wanted to concentrate on our conversation, and just because someone was calling did not make the call more important than speaking directly with me. Nowadays, I see people in meetings busily texting one another. It is not being more efficient, you are losing concentration and focus.
8. Watch out for Facebook and MySpace. On Oprah the other day, some teenager was trying to defend herself after she posted pictures being drunk and throwing up. Her defense was silly–”why do people care what I do in my free time?” They just do.
9. Intimate details of your life should stay that way. Relationship news and activities are subjects for your friends, not your co-workers. Lose the drama and gain respect.
10. Get engaged, show some passion, show up every day ready to work. I have heard too many coaches say the one thing they love about Billy is that he shows up every day for practice, ready and willing to work. It amazes me constantly how many people call in sick on Mondays and Fridays. Do we have “stupid” written on our foreheads or what? (don’t answer that)
Final two points: suppose you want to turn over a new leaf, is it too late to do so at your current company? No. If you want to see a pre-dominant millennial workforce, each of whom is earning respect every day, you might want to visit us here at JOBDIG.
7 users commented in " They Didn’t Ask But Here It Is Anyway: 10 Ways For Millennials To Earn Respect "
This is a great list for the young worker. I would add on #10 that if you spent the weekend skiing in the mountains and come up sick or broken – multiply that need to get to work by at least four! No boss wants to hear how his worker went on a weekend of fun and incapacitated themselves for work. Bring that leg with you in a bag if need be.
Once they get what you are teaching them, it will just seem like common sense.
That is a better way to describe the sentiment behind Number Ten.
Honestly, I think these are wonderful suggestions for everyone (plenty of people over 30 makes these same mistakes), but if I could mention one problem that I hear time and again: Learn to write it down. You will not always have your Blackberry or computer handy, so keep a pad and pen handy to write down whatever your boss tells you. Not only does this stop the annoying problem of you forgetting the instructions you were given or getting them wrong (which seriously ticks off a boss), but it will make the boss feel respected — and that always pays off.
Anita Bruzzese
http://www.45things.com
Great point, Anita. I would add to keep that pad of paper or several pads of paper around your desk, car and home too. I can’t tell you how many times a thought popped into my mind when I was no where close to a ‘puter. If I don’t get it written down at THE time, I lose it.
As a Millennial myself (B: 1984), I found your article interesting. Many of the ten guideposts you outlined are an issue for those within my generation; however, they can be broadly applied to workers within any generation. I have a Facebook and a MySpace; however, I keep it private and I don’t put anything up on the site that would compromise how others view me personally or professionally. I’ve been working full time since I was 19 (Simultaneously attended college full-time) and recently left a job as a retail manager to start a career in HR; I can say that I found the work ethic among older employees to be far superior to that of my peers. They don’t call in sick, don’t complain, and tend to take many things with stride. Thank you for the insight in this article; it provides confirmation to me on how I don’t want to act in the workplace. However, on the flip side, I want respect and I’ll earn it by working hard. Indeed, there are some within my generation that don’t take much of anything seriously; however, I have noticed that I tend to be prejudged by older adults consistently because of my youthful looks (I do look about 18) and due to my lack of experience in the workforce. If anyone here could offer additional tips on how to overcome that (I do act professionally, carry myself with poise, and have a positive attitude) I’d greatly appreciate it!
[...] January, 2008: “They Didn’t Ask But Here It Is Anyway, 10 Ways for Millenials To Earn Respect This gives some new, fresh ideas to your generation x’er or y’er on how to do better at [...]
[...] They Didn’t Ask But Here It Is Anyway, 10 Ways for Millenials To Earn Respect This gives some new, fresh ideas to your generation x’er or y’er on how to do better at [...]
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