The Generation Divide

A recent article by Marshall Goldsmith in BusinessWeek discussed this generation, and their lack of drive when it comes to the workforce. According to Marshall, "they don't want to pay their dues, play by the rules, or give their best to any project unless they are sure that it will get them a promotion, a raise, or some kind of recognition. And if they aren't totally happy, or if you look at them wrong, they'll bolt for the next job!"

At first I was a little put off... I mean, come on! Give us a little credit! But then I read on and realized I can understand how he might have come to that conclusion--we've all met people like the ones he describes in his article. However, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with his conclusion.

I think people are as much a product of their home environments as they are the culture they are emerged in. Those who were given everything as children expect to get everything as adults. Those who work for what they get certainly appreciate it more.

So, here's what I have to say to future employers: Please don't group us all together. Some of us have worked for 4 long years to earn a college degree, and can't wait to put it to good use--but that doesn't mean we don't expect to work our way to the top just like any other employee.