Right, Wrong or Just Different- Generational Insights

Generation Y never lets me down. The stories on how they think and act differently keep coming my way. Last week, I spoke at the National Tractor Parts Dealer’s Association. This particular association is rich in generational diversity. Many of the members are the original owners of their business going back 30 to 40 years and by now, most of them have acquired younger partners, managers and staff.

This was the third time over the past several years that I was presenting so many of the guys knew me and my knowledge on Gen Y. At the opening event several of the members came up to me sharing in detail many of their generational challenges. One member in particular talked to me for almost an hour about the 22 year old manager that he left back in Missouri to “hold down the fort.” He said that this kid just didn’t seem to “get it” and he was worried about leaving him in charge, implying that the place was going to fall apart in his absence. He shared that he left this kid strict instructions to call in every night and give him a detailed report on the day’s activity.

That evening my keynote- Right Wrong or Just Different talked about leveraging this new resource (Gen Y) to improve productivity and increase sales, and add new potential in the marketplace. When it was over the Missouri gentleman came up to me with a kind of smile ( I wasn’t sure if he had good news or bad news to share.) He said that his manager didn’t call in… Instead he sent a video in an email. He videoed the salvage yard showing the work that had been done and he interviewed the three employees left working asking them about their day and what they accomplished. After he shared that information the gentleman from Missouri shook his head adn just walked away. I wans’t sure what he was thinking…Right ? Wrong? Or just different?