These are some of quotes on Gen Y that I got from the net.
Generation Y is not like the baby boomers who live to work or Generation Xers who work to live. Instead, this generation—born between the late 1970s and the mid-1990s—“values work, but they also really value life beyond work,”Here are some quirky behaviours that will define Generation Y. They are wired, connected to virtual social sites, salivate for information, empowered, able to multi task, independent and the lists goes on and on. These are functional behaviours that will excite any HR recruiter. They too, carry a “dark side”. They can be easily bored, and demand instant gratification.
st701 has a wonderful article which explain 90% of my take on Gen Y.
asiaone has an article on why gen Y is difficult to work with.
Being a Gen Y, I can really relate to these articles. With that being said, I can't comprehend how Singapore's push to increase productivity will be successful. In the fantasy job I conjured up in my head, I have already given up hope of my workplace being tech savvy, well connected nor cutting edge. However, I didn't the ultimate barrier to increase productivity is human. Sometime, a minor change in mindset can increase productivity by many many folds but most rather stick with the old, tried and tested ways. Why take the risk? Although they claimed that they they are not sticking to old ways and actually re-rationalised the plans but these are just self engineered reasons to satisfy their own need to proclaim they are progressive. I am not against rationalising through everything. The thinking process helps me to think through things better. What I am against is when the outcome is clearly indicating a change is needed, they refuse to listen anymore.
Beside self deceiving, some even resort to "wayangness". I don't know what better word to use other than this colloquial term. Out come the bombastic new appointment names, nice sounding titles, exciting plans to revamp the system. What remain behind is everything else. I know a paradigm change takes time but in today's context, time is exactly what you don't have. One fine day, every shit that had piled up till now will eventually collapse onto you.
Somethings i really hate: hierarchy of stupidity. It is both stupid and unproductive. When a technical presentation on a not so simple topic has to be presented on a not so motivated nor educated audience, they demand that they comprehend somewhat abstract concepts in a rather short time frame. Furthermore, they add to the misery by dwelling on the really unimportant details. End result: stupid questions and impossible to answer questions. If I am going to conduct all these lessons, I might as well be a lecturer at least I know am speaking to a bunch of motivated audience. And they are not all trying to be smart alecs. Is it so hard to ask intelligent questions? Somehow, the higher they climb the more absurd the stupidity manifest. It is as if the higher you climb, you are allowed to ask stupider questions. Well, luckily there are always exceptions. Without those, life will suck really big time.
