…for this particular blog, that is. Even though I am not abandoning the brand Generation Why, I am shifting my focus to helping leaders develop work ethic within teens and young adults. My new brand, Success Insurance, is now online, and I’ve just posted two important blogs to the brand new Developing Work Ethic Blog. (You can subscribe there.)
The good news is that I’ve added the option to receive that blog as an RSS feed. I will still offer that blog in email format if you chose.
Thank you for tuning in to WhyNews. I’ve learned as much from my subscribers and hope you will join me as we discover how to develop work ethic and insure success for you, and for your emerging workforce.
Is it shocking news that college students cheated on a mid-term? No. Probably not.
Would it be any more shocking if you learned they were all graduating seniors? And would the shock intensify if you discovered that there were roughly 200 cheaters out of a class of 600 students?
The professor has caught them red-handed with digital proof of their crime, and he’s visibly shaken and obviously disgusted. (His students, incidentally, cheated on the mid-term of a business class at Central Florida University; an institution that takes casino-like security measures to prevent cheating and has a stellar academic reputation.
Maybe none of this shocks you.
But watch how one student defends and rationalizes cheating in this ABC News video and it might rock you to the core, or at least, make you feel a little less safe.
Better put that extra layer of security in every facet of your business; the emerging workforce has a totally different definition of ethics. (Wonder where it came from?)
When Thumper was caught insulting Bambi, his mother made him repeat the order his father had given him that morning, “If you can’t say something nice…”
I don’t have to complete that famous phrase because you heard it from your parents when you were a kid as many times as your kids have heard it from you. It’s great advice, but it’s falling on young ears that are being bombarded by a completely different message from the despicable political ads we allow to invade our homes and cars.
Negative campaigning sickens all of us, yet somehow, we allow it to influence our vote enough that it’s the one segment of our economy that’s thriving. It’s much easier to make your opponent look bad than it is to make yourself look good. Put aside that what you’re saying about someone could range from a ridiculous exaggeration to an outright bald-face lie; if it tears them down, you appear to stand taller. (Until your ‘worthy opponent’ retaliates, that is.)
We tell our kids to ‘play nice’ and to ‘live by the golden rule’, all the while we donate to campaigns and cast our votes for people who are as mean-spirited and deplorable as anyone can humanly be.
Politics have always been a blood sport, but are now rapidly trending toward gladiator gore.
I wish I could offer a practical solution, but the people who make the laws that allow this insanity are the very ones who are the best at the use of these very tactics. And don’t expect the media to begin refusing the huge dollars they’re getting paid to run the ads. This Catch 22 is not going to end anytime soon; we’re just that hellbent on self-destruction.
Yes, I’ll still vote. No, I won’t turn off all forms of media for three months prior to every election.
I will, however, stop blaming today’s youth for all the bullying, gossiping, and mean-spirited behavior that is going on in our schools and communities.
As Pogo once said, “I have seen then enemy, and it is us.”
Another story just broke in the national media revealing the growing frustration Boomers and Xers have with teens and young adults who are so preoccupied with texting and Facebooking that they rarely complete an actual conversation without interruption.
If this comes as news to you, then you must live in a retirement community.
What surprises me aren’t the teens, but the parents who don’t understand why their kids are ‘overusing’ the technology that they, themselves, have provided for them. Well, if you put a Ferrari in my parking spot, I can promise you I’m going to use it …and use it a lot.
The cell phone your kid owns (that didn’t exist when you were their age) has become like second skin to them; it’s their primary connection to the outside world. Using it is simpler, easier, and faster than having a face-to-face conversation. Texting and social media allows them to communicate on their own terms, when and how they want, without being interrupted or told to shut up. If only the real world worked the same way…
Teens use technology freely because they have free use of it. A 13 year old doesn’t earn enough raking leaves to pay for their own iPhone, laptop, and game system; but that doesn’t stop most 13 year-olds from having these things.
If you don’t want your kids to ‘overuse’ technology and lose your kids to screen time, think before buying electronics for them–and for yourself. When the time is right to provide a device for them, exercise your parenting power and create strict rules and guidelines. Don’t be afraid to take it away. Granted, it isn’t easy to put that tiger back in the cage once you’ve allowed it the run of your house; far better to train it as a cub. But if the situation is already out of hand, a strong hand, a clear policy backed by sound rationale, and a willingness to enforce consequences for breaking rules will help you to restore order. (This also works for frustrated managers of text-crazed employees who aren’t maintaining eye-contact with you or your customers.)
Although a few ‘experts’ feel that teen screen time should not be cause for concern, lack of focused attention and the decay of common courtesy are issues that need to be addressed. Left unchecked, screen time is a problem that is only going to get worse.
If you haven’t seen the 90 second poetic video I produced and posted to YouTube, check it out at http://tinyurl.com/yazhpgr
My wife and I headed into a Cold Stone Creamery last evening for an after dinner treat. Seated around the tables immediately outside the strip mall entrance was a group of a half dozen cheerleaders from a local high school.
“Are you guys going to get ice cream?” one of them asked without standing or even turning their chair to face us.
“Yep. Sure are.”
Remaining seated, one of the young ladies turned slightly and shoved a small piece of paper into my hand. “Give them this coupon when you order and you’ll save $1. And then they’ll donate 20% of all those sales to the XYZ High School Cheer Team “
I handed the coupon back and said, “No thanks.”
“Don’t you want to save a buck and help us get new uniforms?” One of them asked.
“I like money and I’m all for cheerleaders, girls. It’s just that I’m a business owner and I think that when the owner or manager of this place decided to help you raise money, they thought you were going to help them in return. But you’re actually hurting them.”
“How are we hurting Cold Stone?”
Sensing a teachable moment, I explained. “They probably thought you were going to pass out those coupons in your school and in your neighborhood and help them drum up some sales. In exchange for doing that, they agreed to give you a percentage of that increased revenue in the form of a donation to your cause. Instead, all you’re doing is taking a percentage of the sales they would normally get without your efforts. You’re not doing anything to help them, but you expect them to help you. In essence, you’re trying to get something for nothing. How long before the management decides never again to give any other group this kind of fund raising opportunity?”
They rolled their eyes, looked away, and giggled slightly. Their reaction could have been one of embarrassment, but when Lori and I came out of the store with our cones, they had vanished.
Maybe they got the message. Then again, maybe they just wanted to avoid another confrontation with a former high school teacher and student activities director–turned youth motivational speaker–who’s always tried to make students understand the quid pro quo (this for that) of fund raising, work, and life.
Free-market economist Milton Friedman titled his 1975 book, “There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch.” I agree, and I am hoping for their own good that there is no such thing as a free cheerleader uniform.
A QSR client just forwarded this email to me 5 minutes ago. It is an actual email response (not a text) to a shift manager position they’ve advertised.
I’ve anonymized the names and contact information. Everything else is reprinted verbatim.
Subject: job for a manager
yes i called ur store in fort smith and they said that they were going to open a store in vanburn arkanass if that is tre i would be a good candidate for a shift superviser at the store i have been a manager at mcdonalds for olmost 7 years and before that i was a manager at sonic for bout 2 years and at sonic i ran the night shift at mcdonalds i was on second shift for a wile and then i went to night over nights i was running about 5000 to 75000 on second shift for an eight hour period. on over night i would run about 1500 a night they send u to class for ur managment i ma food safty certifide. and im also basic shift mangnnt creddited and i was suposed to go to a assistat class but no one wanted to go any where so i was stuck i could be a great crew and a good manager
i am going to give u my store manager cell so u can call him and find out about me i also have feild out an appp. on line and i am going to give u my cell nubb. so u can let me know if u are intrested in me. this is johnny XXXXX numb. is XXX-XXX-XXXX. i just thought id seend u this so hear it is and i hope u read this and let me know something because i am good worker i will discuse the pay rate if i get the job and thank u nad have a blessd day this is my resemay i gess that is what u woiuld call it i gess pleas let me know something thak u and have a good day……….??
Here’s what has my attention over the last week with regards to blogs, tweets, and videos. Some have been around a while, but keep coming back into the discussion.
Enjoy, and let me know how I can help you and your organization build work ethic in teens and young adults.
Remember work ethic is very important and it will stick with you if you start off at a young age. The state will not allow you to do any job you want though since you are still a minor. If it involves driving or using power tools, …
We enjoy the idea of doing less and earning more, with a low relative value placed on work ethic, delayed gratification, and the like. If this is true, then technology itself only enables the instant gratification that we crave, …
Many teens work to meet school expenses or to support themselves. For the experience alone, work is an important rite of passage. “Those first jobs teach you that strong work ethic that you need,” explains Kathy Du Vernet, …
The #SXGenY group talks about why Gen Y wants to work in a collaborative and mentoring environment, and fellow Gen Y’ers join the discussion! Ben Smithee – @Spychresearch Sydney Owen – @Sydneyowen Nisha Chittal – @Nishachittal Elysa Rice – @Elysa Rya…
Social media is a wonderful tool for helping young people find employment. Used foolishly, however, it can also be a powerful tool for helping them find the back of the unemployment line.
I just came across this story from Charlotte, NC that illustrates my point. A Gen Y waitress at a pizza restaurant got her nose out of joint because she was asked to work overtime to take care of a last-minute customer. Her disappointment intensified when she discovered that her work resulted in, what she felt, was a lousy tip.
Had this incident happened five or ten years ago, she would have probably whined to her boyfriend or a coworker and that would have been the end of it. But this jilted food server took er feelings public when she posted an angry rant to her Facebook page and used an expletive to describe her customer.
Somehow, her scathing comments made their way back to her employer. (Facebook friends aren’t always friendly). The young lady was then called to task and terminated. She did not pass ‘Go’, and she did not collect $200. She lost her job and her employer lost face. Lose/lose.
In a world where youth are encouraged to be 100% authentic and transparent and are repeatedly told not to suppress their feelings, the concepts of personal discretion and professionalism are on the list of endangered species.
It’s unfair to expect them to know when to hold back when the rest of the world is screaming ‘stand up and make your voice be heard.’
Unfortunate as it may be, employers need to educate young employees on what is acceptable and what will not be tolerated when they are discussing their employer in cyberspace. Easy-to-understand rules and consequences for breaking them must be clearly communicated in the early going.
The bottom line? Don’t assume your Gen Y employees understand their boundaries when it comes to discussing you on social media or you’re setting yourself up for a rude awakening.
Gen Y, turns out: Ms. Reder agrees that employees are usually thirsty for feedback. She has observed that those new to the work force want it most. “One thing that’s very consistent when we look at generation Y is that they are …
And yet we also know that Gen Y is extremely passionate about their work. You really want to make a difference in this world. So what’s really going on in the mind of Peggy Pan when she’s reluctant to take on a position that requires …
Gen Y believes that communication is key in all directions, up, down, and lateral. To get the most out of Gen Y at work, create an environment where they are encouraged and rewarded for speaking up regarding ideas and concerns, …
I asked a Gen Y to clean the bathroom, and a quick “I don’t do bathrooms” came back at me. And I said, “Then do the books.” “I don’t know how to do the books.” My response, “Then clean the bathroom. What am I paying you to do? Work. …
After delivering papers at 12, I took a job as a dishwasher at a chinese restaurant. I worked 5-to-9 evenings and was paid $1.00 an hour under the table. And I just discovered that I share that illustrious start to my career with Michael Dell, Founder of Dell, Inc.
I find it very intriguing to learn the humble beginnings of billionaires and Fortune 500 CEO’s. This recent CNN story plays to my curiosity as we discover that Oprah started out bagging groceries and Apple CEO Steve Jobs started out as an intern at HP – - at the age of 12!
Work ethic isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you’re instilled with in your youth.
What was your first job? At what age? What priceless lessons did you learn?
