05.26.08
Comedy Commissar
60 Minutes just talked about the new generation of workers entering the workforce. To the untrained eye, these workers are spoiled, coddled, “narcissistic praise-hounds,” as the announcer described.
But, regardless of what we think of them, they are the future, and their workstyle is influencing the way we live and work. They have extraordinary technology skills; however, their people-skills and manners might be somewhat lacking. (Contrast this with older generations in the same workforce, whose skill set is the exact reverse).
These new workers don’t want to settle: they like to adapt and switch and try new things. (does that sound a little bit like using humor?? It IS!). So, bosses need to “know what presses their buttons,” says consultant Bob Nelson.
But it may be easy to do, IF you have a comedy/humor mindset already. This new generation of workers has been raised with a comedy-type mentality: have fun, practice a little bit, and you’ll automatically win and always be rewarded. There isn’t a lot of competition, people should work together and get along, and above all, the workplace should be FUN!
The boss has to be a therapist, not a dictator. You can’t be harsh with this new breed; you can’t ask them to put the job above their lifestyle. They’re living and being themselves and that keeps them busy. (Maybe we all could learn about work/life balance from them!)
So what is a boss or supervisor to do? Get Your SHINE Together! and take yourself lightly. When the CEO is willing to submit him or herself to being dunked in the dunk tank at the summer picnic, these workers see that “we’re all in it together”.
For them–and for all of us–the workplace should be an efficient, flexible and nicer place to be.
