Comments on: The real deal about Gen Y: they're inherently conservative http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:04:56 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Generation Y is too quiet, too conservative « Daily News http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/comment-page-2/#comment-188807 Generation Y is too quiet, too conservative « Daily News Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:09:50 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/#comment-188807 [...] Friedman calls this phenomenon – our generation – quiet. Too quiet, in fact. Penelope Trunk calls us conservative. Not like politically conservative, but lifestyle conservative. As in none of us, except me I [...] [...] Friedman calls this phenomenon – our generation – quiet. Too quiet, in fact. Penelope Trunk calls us conservative. Not like politically conservative, but lifestyle conservative. As in none of us, except me I [...]

]]> By: Generation Y is too quiet, too conservative | Bizzy Women http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/comment-page-2/#comment-188584 Generation Y is too quiet, too conservative | Bizzy Women Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:01:59 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/#comment-188584 [...] Friedman calls this phenomenon - our generation - quiet. Too quiet, in fact. Penelope Trunk calls us conservative. Not like politically conservative, but lifestyle conservative. As in none of us, except me I [...] [...] Friedman calls this phenomenon – our generation – quiet. Too quiet, in fact. Penelope Trunk calls us conservative. Not like politically conservative, but lifestyle conservative. As in none of us, except me I [...]

]]> By: Ron Carroll http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/comment-page-2/#comment-187399 Ron Carroll Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:13:01 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/#comment-187399 We were all Gen Y members at one time. Good stuff here. We all learn daily and learn from one another. Mutual respect is required. We were all Gen Y members at one time. Good stuff here. We all learn daily and learn from one another. Mutual respect is required.

]]> By: The Quaker Ideal = The GenY ideal « Heroes Rising http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/comment-page-2/#comment-184213 The Quaker Ideal = The GenY ideal « Heroes Rising Sat, 18 Apr 2009 09:48:07 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/#comment-184213 [...] — {d.birdy} @ 9:47 am I just read the most amazing article by Penelope Trunk called “The real deal about GenY: they’re inherently conservative” while on my quest to find information about a topic I’ve been noodling on lately. My [...] [...] — {d.birdy} @ 9:47 am I just read the most amazing article by Penelope Trunk called "The real deal about GenY: they're inherently conservative" while on my quest to find information about a topic I've been noodling on lately. My [...]

]]> By: ATL http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/comment-page-2/#comment-168950 ATL Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:42:56 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/#comment-168950 I can believe that Gen Y is very conservative. But then again, most generations are conservative when they are younger (or more appropriately, collectivist). It is just human nature. Most of us desire to fit in, to be a part of a group. It is rare to find true 'individualists' in Gen Y. Many of the people in Gen Y will advertise themselves as being tolerant, open-minded, tech-savvy, etc. Rugged tough-minded cowboys, they think. But in reality, most of Gen Y wants belonging; perhaps that is the reason why Facebook and similar sites are so popular. As far as the politics go, gauging a person's politics by their tolerance of LGBT people isn't a very good metric. (Guess what: Bill Clinton was a Democrat and under his regime DOMA was passed. And my understanding is that some of the marriage license initiatives in San Francisco, BOston, etc., were started by Republicans.) I think the best way that the previous generations can deal with Gen Y can be summed up in a couple of key ideas: 1. Acknowledge that you possibly were like Gen Y once. The know-it-all attitude in Gen Y is not unique to people born from 1975 - present, or however you define it. YOu can go back 100 years and find that the 20 - 30 crowd was just as ignorant as today. If you want them to take you seriously, you need to command respect, and not by dominance or matching wits. Be firm but fair. 2. Please do not use age/experience/credentials as a shield against error or an excuse for either their or your mistakes. Gen Y is only human, and so are you. That is all that really needs to be done. I can believe that Gen Y is very conservative. But then again, most generations are conservative when they are younger (or more appropriately, collectivist). It is just human nature. Most of us desire to fit in, to be a part of a group. It is rare to find true 'individualists' in Gen Y. Many of the people in Gen Y will advertise themselves as being tolerant, open-minded, tech-savvy, etc. Rugged tough-minded cowboys, they think. But in reality, most of Gen Y wants belonging; perhaps that is the reason why Facebook and similar sites are so popular. As far as the politics go, gauging a person's politics by their tolerance of LGBT people isn't a very good metric. (Guess what: Bill Clinton was a Democrat and under his regime DOMA was passed. And my understanding is that some of the marriage license initiatives in San Francisco, BOston, etc., were started by Republicans.)

I think the best way that the previous generations can deal with Gen Y can be summed up in a couple of key ideas:

1. Acknowledge that you possibly were like Gen Y once. The know-it-all attitude in Gen Y is not unique to people born from 1975 – present, or however you define it. YOu can go back 100 years and find that the 20 – 30 crowd was just as ignorant as today. If you want them to take you seriously, you need to command respect, and not by dominance or matching wits. Be firm but fair.

2. Please do not use age/experience/credentials as a shield against error or an excuse for either their or your mistakes. Gen Y is only human, and so are you.

That is all that really needs to be done.

]]> By: news computer » Blog Archive » How to Improve Your Strengths if Everyone Else Sees Weakness http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/comment-page-2/#comment-146876 news computer » Blog Archive » How to Improve Your Strengths if Everyone Else Sees Weakness Sun, 04 May 2008 18:05:49 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/#comment-146876 [...] the workforce is beginning to change, “conservative” still wins in most corporate environments. And it’s okay to conform. We all need to pay our [...] [...] the workforce is beginning to change, “conservative” still wins in most corporate environments. And it’s okay to conform. We all need to pay our [...]

]]> By: Does Gen Y Really Want to Change the World? : Brazen Careerist http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/comment-page-2/#comment-146762 Does Gen Y Really Want to Change the World? : Brazen Careerist Fri, 02 May 2008 11:08:27 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/#comment-146762 [...] no doubt that we’re less radical than the Boomers of the 60’s and 70’s. We don’t even protest. And sure, we can band together [...] [...] no doubt that we’re less radical than the Boomers of the 60’s and 70’s. We don’t even protest. And sure, we can band together [...]

]]> By: Does Gen Y Really Want to Change the World? | Employee Evolution http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/comment-page-2/#comment-146755 Does Gen Y Really Want to Change the World? | Employee Evolution Fri, 02 May 2008 04:54:34 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/#comment-146755 [...] no doubt that we’re less radical than the Boomers of the 60’s and 70’s. We don’t even protest. And sure, we can band together [...] [...] no doubt that we’re less radical than the Boomers of the 60’s and 70’s. We don’t even protest. And sure, we can band together [...]

]]> By: Girl Meets Business | Gen Y Women: Change starts with us http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/comment-page-2/#comment-139558 Girl Meets Business | Gen Y Women: Change starts with us Tue, 01 Apr 2008 05:21:48 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/#comment-139558 [...] What this new form of “feminism” will turn out to look like is certainly yet to be seen. It’s debatable that what Gen Y women will cook up (pun intended) will look anything like the traditional form of feminism. After all, our generation isn’t exactly known for starting revolutions. [...] [...] What this new form of “feminism” will turn out to look like is certainly yet to be seen. It’s debatable that what Gen Y women will cook up (pun intended) will look anything like the traditional form of feminism. After all, our generation isn’t exactly known for starting revolutions. [...]

]]> By: Jerry http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/comment-page-2/#comment-139528 Jerry Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:52:39 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/10/17/the-real-deal-about-gen-y-theyre-inherently-conservative/#comment-139528 I am 28 and I have had 3 jobs since graduating college. The first was a small cpa firm because at the interview they convinced me that I didn't want the craziness of working for PWC. Well, turned out crazy anyway, so quit after 4 months. Worked at small company where I really enjoyed it because everyone in our dept was under 30 even the VP of Finance. But after I got my masters, I wanted more responsibility, etc. So left after 2 years, and now am really enjoying myself at a bigger company. Sure, I could have gotten experience at a Big 4, but from what I see, there are 3 other people here who worked at a big 5, and although they're in a level or two above me, I'll eventually make it to same position without working crazy big 4. As a matter of fact, I spoke with a woman yesterday who was at first bragging about her son working for Deloitte in Atlanta. I'm not a hater so I was like that is very good and he'll get good experience. Then I asked if he's married, etc. She said no, and she looked very sad. I have a wife of 8 years and a 8 month old son. But I told her to cheer up and let her son get experience and then decide when it's best for him to change if he wants. He may be totally in love with Deloitte. A girl I know who started working there 1.5 years ago in Dallas met her fiance recently, and she will probably search for another job after marrying. At first, it's all exciting to travel, work long hours (even I get excited sometimes), but after a while it becomes old. It really depends on what turns you on, and I like that about my generation. Yeah, there may be pink slips as someone mentioned, but many of us won't wait around to get a pink slip. Like at my previous employer, many of the boomers were all worried and stuff when the company was laying people off. Everyone my age was less worried and the one person who was sooo worried only worried about not getting paid as much somewhere else. Even now, with a baby I would not hesitate to pack and move if need arises. Wife and I have a mobile mentality. Maybe that's why we've lived in 4 different cities the last 8 years. I am 28 and I have had 3 jobs since graduating college. The first was a small cpa firm because at the interview they convinced me that I didn't want the craziness of working for PWC. Well, turned out crazy anyway, so quit after 4 months. Worked at small company where I really enjoyed it because everyone in our dept was under 30 even the VP of Finance. But after I got my masters, I wanted more responsibility, etc. So left after 2 years, and now am really enjoying myself at a bigger company.

Sure, I could have gotten experience at a Big 4, but from what I see, there are 3 other people here who worked at a big 5, and although they're in a level or two above me, I'll eventually make it to same position without working crazy big 4.

As a matter of fact, I spoke with a woman yesterday who was at first bragging about her son working for Deloitte in Atlanta. I'm not a hater so I was like that is very good and he'll get good experience. Then I asked if he's married, etc. She said no, and she looked very sad. I have a wife of 8 years and a 8 month old son. But I told her to cheer up and let her son get experience and then decide when it's best for him to change if he wants. He may be totally in love with Deloitte. A girl I know who started working there 1.5 years ago in Dallas met her fiance recently, and she will probably search for another job after marrying. At first, it's all exciting to travel, work long hours (even I get excited sometimes), but after a while it becomes old.

It really depends on what turns you on, and I like that about my generation. Yeah, there may be pink slips as someone mentioned, but many of us won't wait around to get a pink slip. Like at my previous employer, many of the boomers were all worried and stuff when the company was laying people off. Everyone my age was less worried and the one person who was sooo worried only worried about not getting paid as much somewhere else. Even now, with a baby I would not hesitate to pack and move if need arises. Wife and I have a mobile mentality. Maybe that's why we've lived in 4 different cities the last 8 years.

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