When dealing with Gen Why, managers should remember that we are a generation for whom sarcasm and cynicism are the norm. We didn’t grow up on Leave it to Beaver. We grew up on The Simpsons. Our sense of humor and our sense of what makes for a normal (or an irritating) interaction is far removed from the good old days that sprouted these expressions. Yet, managers keep using phrases that even seemed to irritate the Beav, thinking that we’ll spring to our feet with a “Yessir! Good point, sir!” each time they share one of these little pearls of wisdom.

So, here is the second installment in my war against empty phrases masquerading as management techniques.

This week’s winning expression:

Boss says:

“Hey, would you like to scrub the toilet for me?”

I think:

“No, I would not like to scrub the toilet for you. Or for anyone else. Don’t you get upset when I do what I want instead of what I’m supposed to do?”

The lesson:

I never want to scrub toilets, mop, put away the truck, or do any of the unpleasant tasks at work. In the end, though, I will do them since that’s my job. But your leadership should make it clear from minute one that this is a question of job functions instead of my desires. I understand that you’re trying not to seem like you’re lording your authority over me, but each time you ask if I want to clean up bodily fluids I die inside wondering in what universe someone might want to do that. In the future, I suggest saying “I’d like you to please (insert undesirable task here.)” This is hardly an authoritarian way to make the request, but it still makes it very clear that you are issuing a directive instead of an opinion poll.