The "Millennials" Are Coming

Morley Safer On The New Generation Of American Workers

(CBS)  This story was originally broadcast on Nov. 11, 2007. It was updated on May 23, 2008.

It's graduation time and once again we say "Stand back all bosses!" A new breed of American worker is about to attack everything you hold sacred: from giving orders, to your starched white shirt and tie. They are called, among other things, "millennials." There are about 80 million of them, born between 1980 and 1995, and they're rapidly taking over from the baby boomers who are now pushing 60.

They were raised by doting parents who told them they are special, played in little leagues with no winners or losers, or all winners. They are laden with trophies just for participating and they think your business-as-usual ethic is for the birds. And if you persist in the belief you can, take your job and shove it.

As correspondent Morley Safer first reported last November, corporate America is so unnerved by all this that companies like Merrill Lynch, Ernst & Young, and scores of others are hiring consultants to teach them how to deal with this generation that only takes "yes" for an answer.

---

The workplace has become a psychological battlefield and the millennials have the upper hand, because they are tech savvy, with every gadget imaginable almost becoming an extension of their bodies. They multitask, talk, walk, listen and type, and text. And their priorities are simple: they come first.

Just ask Marian Salzman, an ad agency executive who has been managing and tracking millennials since they entered the workforce.

"Some of them are the greatest generation. They're more hardworking. They have these tools to get things done," she explains. "They are enormously clever and resourceful. Some of the others are absolutely incorrigible. It's their way or the highway. The rest of us are old, redundant, should be retired. How dare we come in, anyone over 30. Not only can't be trusted, can't be counted upon to be, sort of, coherent."

Salzman says today's manager must be half shrink and half diplomat.

What are some of the do's and don'ts in speaking to the generation of young workers?

"You do have to speak to them a little bit like a therapist on television might speak to a patient," Salzman says, laughing. "You can't be harsh. You cannot tell them you're disappointed in them. You can't really ask them to live and breathe the company. Because they're living and breathing themselves and that keeps them very busy."

Faced with new employees who want to roll into work with their iPods and flip flops around noon, but still be CEO by Friday, companies are realizing that the era of the buttoned down exec happy to have a job is as dead as the three-Martini lunch.

"These young people will tell you what time their yoga class is and the day's work will be organized around the fact that they have this commitment. So you actually envy them. How wonderful it is to be young and have your priorities so clear. Flipside of it is how awful it is to be managing the extension, sort of, of the teenage babysitting pool," Salzman tells Safer.

All of which has led, as you'd expect, to a whole new industry -- or epidemic -- of consultants, experts they allege, in how to motivate, train and, yes, sometimes nanny the extraterrestrials who've taken over the workplace.

Mary Crane, who once whipped up soufflés for the White House, now offers crash courses for millennials in, well, the obvious. "As to the tattoos just make sure they stay covered up within the office, especially if you are going to be meeting clients," she advises her clients.

"It's a perfect storm we have created to put these people in a position where they suddenly have to perform as professionals and haven’t been trained," Crane says.

Basic training, like how to eat with a knife and fork, or indeed how to work. Today, fewer and fewer middle class kids hold summer jobs because mowing lawns does not get you into Harvard.

"They have climbed Mount Everest. They've been down to Machu Picchu to help excavate it. But they've never punched a time clock. They have no idea what it's like to actually be in an office at nine o'clock, with people handing them work," Crane says.

She maintains that while this generation has extraordinary technical skills, childhoods filled with trophies and adulation didn't prepare them for the cold realities of work.

"You now have a generation coming into the workplace that has grown up with the expectation that they will automatically win, and they'll always be rewarded, even for just showing up," Crane says.

"To what extent are you having to tell the boomers, the bosses, the 50 to 60 year olds, 'The people who got to change are you guys, not them?'" Safer asks.

"The boomers do need to hear the message, that they're gonna have to start focusing more on coaching rather than bossing. If this generation in particular, you just tell them, 'You got to do this. You got to do this. You got to do this.' They truly will walk. And every major law firm, every major company knows, this is the future," Crane explains.

[definingmanhood]

I resent some of the characterizations of my generation in this article. They are right about one thing though, I'm out for #1. In order to be a company man I'd have to incorporate myself. Luckily for my employer I also realize that whats good for the company is good for me. What past employers have had a problem with is my poor response to ********. I don't tolerate exploitation, manipulation or intimidation from my employers. I punch in on time, I work my shift, doing whats in the job description, and maybe a little extra, and then I punch out, when my required work is finished and I'm ready to leave. if you want me to do 30 minutes of paper work at the end of my shift, you're paying for it. It's not coming out of my personal time thats for sure.

I don't do yoga, and I don't expect something for nothing, but i do expect my contributions to be acknowledged, and when i go above and beyond I expect to be rewarded, at the very least with a little respect. Also I know for some managers and old timers its tough to imagine, especially the overeducated suits, but if I spend all day in the trenches, and you spend all day in the ivory tower counting money, you might wanna at least pretend to listen to my ideas and suggestions. Some employers are of the habit of treating entry level employees as disposable, and I won't tolerate that treatment from anyone under any circumstances.

I've been required to learn more in my first 20 years of life than you were required to learn in the first 40 years of your life, don't you dare look down your nose at me. I respect the fact that you have decades of hands on experience on your side, and I know I can learn a lot just by observing you, but you have to understand that this is a bold new world we're living in, and the dynamics that I bring to the table, as a product of this new age is valuable in and of itself. Where you might hire a consultant, I might just run a few internet searches and see what data, and info and recommendations are available for free. You spent 4 years and tens of thousands of dollars going to college, I spend 4 months and maybe $300 on books from Amazon.com and I become equally adept. Experience is the only thing that makes you my superior, and even that can become a liability as your experiences in 1978 have little bearing on the reality of 2009.

[huntr44]

Yes, yes, yes! I am so glad I was not the only person of education, ambition and a strong work ethic that was utterly appalled at this idiotic representation of my generation. We may not have a stuttering Roger Daltrey to represent us, but we have more than enough reason to be angry. We are the most world-wise and adaptable people on the planet so far and we lived our lives being talked down to this way by the the GenX Eeyores and their stoned Boomer parents and we have really had enough.

[huntr44]

I don't know who you think you're talking about, Ms. Textor, but you're about ten years off the mark. The F**k it attitude you attribute to people born in about 1980 is, in reality, a GenX cancer that people of our generation are desperately seeking to combat. Education, the sciences, and cleaning up the mess made by the boomers and their kids(GenX are our rallying cries. Doubt me? take the explosion in popularity of current-event based comedy such as the Daily Show and the Colbert Report par example. Maybe you're too old to tell the difference between a 38 year old and a 28 year old, or too scared of the big bad internets to have done any research. One way or another, turn off O'Reilley and get with the times (possibly try opening a book). My generation is poised to be the best since WWII, so mind your p's and q's or we'll take away your social security.

[Morbidax]

May I point out to the author of this ridiculous article, and all the old loons who agree with it, that it's the Millennials who are currently fighting in the Iraq war (voluntarily, at that... gosh, we're so selfish!)? And it's the Millennials who are currently having to clean up after their parents (the Baby Boomers) mistakes? If this generation is as coddled and screwed up as this article makes them out to be, it's their parent's fault. But then again, most of those crazy Baby Boomers were stoned throughout the majority of their young life, so that's not surprising.

[acaiberryfacts1]

As an employer of several 18-25 year olds over the past five years, I can say you''ve got it dead wrong. Employers do not and should not have to pander to "extended adolescence", but should praise hard work, commitment and dedication to a job. It is an employer''s responsibility to promote those values.

http://www.resveratrolsources.net
http://www.acaiberrystudy.net

[innovenials]

why should i live and breathe the company, stay late without overtime, and sacrifice my weekends? what loyalty do i owe, or receive in return? on the contrary, all my jobs till now have used me, with broken promises. and do i want a coronary by age 35? when school and government programs stress and build you up towards a healthy, balanced lifestyle, is it not natural to have a shock when suddenly some business entity seems to want to own you, and for their profit, not yours? i thought the baby boomers were supposed to change things, but it turned out the 60s were just a phase and by the 70s and 80s they?d suited up.

i?m not devaluing hard work, but i believe in work hard, play hard, and i just think it?s so important to refocus on what?s important in life, and especially after what?s happened in the states and world economy recently, due to greed and inflated egos, a more sane and balanced approach to ?corporate america? or how we approach work in general (we live to work instead of work to live - which is the right way to do it) should definitely and vitally be a priority. absentee parents, school shootings due to social alienation due to loneliness due to breakdown of communities and family units - surely these are not all rash and selfish things to be concerned about and want to change.

look at sweden and most of europe - sweden?s philosophy is ?just enough?, for everyone, and most in europe have managed to balance work and life and family effectively (they may not be world leaders in business, finance, economics, blah, blah - but does it matter? they?re happy! and look whose economy?s in the pitts now) - whereas in north america we seem to be born with ?workhorse? or ?corporate slave? stamped on our foreheads. and it makes me so mad the comments these ignorant ?older, wiser? people are making in this clip, as they?re just reinforcing the status quo. (and who can afford to live on their own in the city these days?? most entry level jobs pay squat, nevermind unpaid internships often being a pre-requisite + massive student loans.) zappo's and google are still the exception, not the rule.

i do know that many millenials truly are spoiled and selfish, but they seem to be making us out to be the bliss generation, where no hardship has ever touched us, and that is just not feasibly possible - me being an example of someone who?s been through the ringer. anyhow, i hope the snotty ones only make things better for intelligent creatives like me. :) what with the state of things now, who knows if anyone?s got a choice in things really, and i project it?s the britney spearses that will have to change their acts, unless the world goes completely mad and the lowest common denominator becomes ?it?, even moreso than it has already.

i don?t want to be talked down to and patronized, and i do crave challenge and development, but i definitely, definitely do not want to have to cope with the archaic, stressful system of days of old, that are still in place in most offices today. 'the wonder years' dad will not be me, nor will i further line AIG?s coffers, and i resent being sought for my skills and then hired for a job a monkey can do.

and yet sadly, some of us still have to be garbage collectors and work in sewage plants - that?s where the ?dream job? philosophy?s failed us. but all in all, i think after all these botch ups by our elders, a healthy cynicism and a ?what?s in it for me? are only smart, especially when another trend now is to ignore what the equality movements fought for in the 60s, and be un-PC, the other side of the storm is ugly.

(oh, and engteacher12 - i hope you're not presenting your students with the positive and encouraging attitude you've shown here.)

anyway, that?s my rant, sorry. :/ godspeed. :)

p.s. cbs, stop airing stories with pre-conceived agendas, and let the real people speak - as they have on this board. thanks.

[trmoore8989]

Hopefully this one works better...

While listening and watching this short segment it struck me that the ?millennials? new role in the work place is great. I think that our generation is extremely spoiled, the idea of giving a losing team the same trophies as the winning team is ridiculous. In fact it?s a wonderful way to destroy competition, an aspect of our society that truly sets us apart from many others. We get everything we want, its true, but that?s a good thing? we live in an era of astounding economic wealth, people live longer and have the highest standard of living in history. The idea that we crave positive reinforcement more than other generations could be true, but there?s no one who doesn?t like a compliment. Because of the way society functions now our generation has grown accustomed to having a good time and receiving frequent compliments.
However, despite all the talk about us being spoiled and needy, this will only make our lives better. In the video, each interviewee claims that it is the other generations that must alter themselves to meet our needs. Isn?t that awesome? We will continue to be spoiled in the workplace as well as everywhere else, everyone who claims that its offensive can just turn to all of these people who are ?insulting? us and just say that they?re the weak ones for having to conform to our, the younger, generation. It seems as though work places around the country will now be altering there daily schedules to fit our needs. I think that?s awesome, who doesn?t want to have a job where they are ?playing computer games at work?. As long as people continue to make our lives easier, why change? It will only make us happier. :-p
T {}/\/\ /\/\ Y /\/\ ()() R3
HHS

[trmoore8989]

I dont know why but like all of my punction got replaced with question marks... have fun reading
T {}/\/\ /\/\ Y /\/\ ()() R3

[trmoore8989]

While listening and watching this short segment it struck me that the ?millennials? new role in the work place is great. I think that our generation is extremely spoiled, the idea of giving a losing team the same trophies as the winning team is ridiculous. In fact it?s a wonderful way to destroy competition, an aspect of our society that truly sets us apart from many others. We get everything we want, its true, but that?s a good thing? we live in an era of astounding economic wealth, people live longer and have the highest standard of living in history. The idea that we crave positive reinforcement more than other generations could be true, but there?s no one who doesn?t like a compliment. Because of the way society functions now our generation has grown accustomed to having a good time and receiving frequent compliments.
However, despite all the talk about us being spoiled and needy, this will only make our lives better. In the video, each interviewee claims that it is the other generations that must alter themselves to meet our needs. Isn?t that awesome? We will continue to be spoiled in the workplace as well as everywhere else, everyone who claims that its offensive can just turn to all of these people who are ?insulting? us and just say that they?re the weak ones for having to conform to our, the younger, generation. It seems as though work places around the country will now be altering there daily schedules to fit our needs. I think that?s awesome, who doesn?t want to have a job where they are ?playing computer games at work?. As long as people continue to make our lives easier, why change? It will only make us happier. :-p
T {}/\/\ /\/\ Y /\/\ ()() R3
HHS

[drcatrock3]

The welfare for the future of our country you should fear for. And we do reap what we have sown. As parents we are the first teachers our children will meet. It is our responsibilty to teach them integrity, honor, loyalty and how to be decent. Ignoring them, taking work assignments to be away from them, spending hours in front of the tv set drinking doesn't really teach them anything except "what's in it for me"- because it becomes quite obvious to them very soon, that they are not important to the people that are supposed to love them the most. As parents, when we bring human beings into the world we must make it our #1 priority to raise healthy,independent, functioning people that can go out into the world and contribute to our global society. And we do reap what we sow. When you are a selfish, dictator of a parent you do reap what you sow- selfish children.

[eng12teacher]

I am guessing with the more people than jobs scenario that is occuring now, the Millenials will have to change their work ethic.

[pminer]

To those anti-millenials out here: Since when are family and happiness as top priorities wrong? We are NOT the generation of corrupt, greedy CEO's nor are we the divorced, depressed, bankrupt Americans who are bringing America to its knees. We have priorities that transcend getting ahead of the Jone's. Sorry if our happiness and health are more important than making a few extra dollars and sacrificing relationships and joy.
Welcome to a new world of people taking their time and appreciating all the things you seem to have forgotten about.
We will succeed; without 9 to 5's with required overtime, without the corporate run-around, and without the pointless brown-nosing attitude that got you where you are. We are not afraid of hard work, but we definitely won't do the unnecessary work just because "you had to pay YOUR dues."

[unclelaser]

It seems as though Generation X and Baby Boomers are jealous of Millenials. The fact that their life is life-oriented and not work-oriented should not be a problem, but a relief. Millenials are generally happy, well-educated, and socially conscious. They grew up in a more culturally aware world and, with globalization occuring rapidly, are more adapted to the changing times than previous generations.

They are combating capitalism by opening private businesses, being their own boss and not contributing to the pockets of America's bourgeiose. Millennials are facing life as it is now, not trying to relate to a dead decade years passed. They are more open-minded in issues of racial, gender, and class equality and almost all loathe the corrupt state-of-being in which Americans are living currently, with the shrinking middle class slowly sinking into poverty. They have seen this happen they understand why it is happening, and they are going to fight for a change in policy.

The world is a different place now than it was thirty years ago, and this generation is developing to increase the chances at an enjoyable future and further evolution of the human mind.

[mseisler]

I am a 20 year old Millennial, and I work two jobs and attend school full-time. Although I do agree that we are an incredibly privileged generation, I do not think that we are these lazy, self-obsessed, freeloaders described in this video. I am actually mad that our own hippie parents are complaining that we do not work hard enough. Meanwhile they were lying in fields doing acid and ?sticking it to the man?. Well, now Mr. Baby boom hippie pants, you have become the man and you are judging us just as your parents did to you. Mommy and Daddy now that you have turned in your peace signs for blackberries and six figure salaries, I guess you think we do not measure up. This is exactly what happens when a generation is young. They are rebels and then suddenly, it?s another ?kids these days? speech spewing from your aging mouths. Let?s face it, each generation tends to make life a little easier for their children. So thanks for inventing and innovating the computer. Thanks for sticking it to the man. Thanks for doing back breaking work in a mundane job. But remember, you did all this so we could have brighter future. Do not turn around and resent us for enjoying the fruits of your labour.
We are your future too. We are the nurses and doctors and caregivers. We are the scientists and accountants of the future. So really we are not all that different.
Leah HSB Student

[mseisler]

As a Millennial myself, I find this segment truly offensive. I think the older generation has many flaws themselves, that they need to admit to. They are getting slower and can't keep up with technology. They don't know how to just be happy and enjoy their work. So, they pick on us. We have Blackberry's, Laptops and other helpful tools in the expanding business world. We love our parents, and make economic decisions such as living at home until we are finacially stable. Our generation has options and because of this if we don't like something we will find something better. We are a very intelligent generatioin of young adults. We have millions of opportunities and choices at our fingertips . Instead of blaming trophies and Mr. Rogers, they should take into consideration that they are the ones that raised us. They gave us these tools and opportunities. Give us the respect we deserve. You don't need to talk to us like we are children, or like you are our therapist. We are strong, aspiring individuals that know how to enjoy life.
Rebecca HSB Student

[mseisler]

"No expectations from our parents." As a Millennial I have to say this is just obscene. Your parents expect the best from you. They push you and tell you what to do. When I was 18 my parents were still trying to tell me what to do. Our parents pressure us and this is what makes some kids not want to do their best. " Our parents do everything for us." This statement is not true. I have been working since I was 13 years old. Paper route, McDonalds, NO frills, you name it, I worked there. Why you ask, because I had to. I needed money and transportation. The only think my parents did for me was was trying to control what I did. I have experience in the workforce and know what its like to have a job, and keep it. As for them saying, "were not prepared for the workplace." I do not agree. We are more prepared then those before us. We know what it is like to be on time and to get work done. Who are they to say were not prepared. We are over prepared, we know what the real world is like and react to it!
Heather HSB Student

[mseisler]

I feel that the videos perception of Millennials is wrong. They have based this image on a couple of people who are spoiled and don't succeed. For most Millennials, we do succeed, we do work hard and some get rewarded. What is wrong with that? Having more gadgets and technology puts us at an advantage. We can get things done faster and easier by being able to communicate at any time with our colleagues. In any generation you will have spoiled kids who have no motivation, but that is some people. You can't place judgement on a whole generation, because of a few bad seeds. I agree that we do have our parents to fall back on most of the time, but most people succeed after falling once. We may take our time getting to a stable point in our life, but that doesn't mean we are lazy. It is just that we are trying to find something that we enjoy. A lot of us put lifestyle and friends before work, but we eventually grow-up and get our life on track. In the end, I think they have based their opinion on only a couple Millennials and not the actual whole generation. If they looked closer they would see that most of us have the motivation to succeed.
Chantel HSB Student

[mseisler]

I strongly disagree with the opinions in the video. They protrayed all Millennials as a bunch of lazy and useless kids. It may be true that some kids are like that, but I don't think they should stereotype everyone into that category. I work hard for everything I get. I don't expect anyone to give me anything for free. If there are people out there who do act this way, then their parents should be blamed for raising them that way. For making them believe they can do whatever they want. If it is anyone's fault, it is the people that instilled those ideas in our heads. People need to realize that society is changing, including the workforce. The way things might have worked in the 60's and 70's doesn't work anymore. It's time for change and we are doing just that.
Jessica HSB Student

[mseisler]

While I believe much of what is said about the lives of young people is, in many cases true. The overall outlook taken on what this means to society is unrealistically pessimistic and ignorant. Yes mahy young people have grown up in a supportive and less demanding environment than previous generations. However, I don't think this means we're lacking in intelligence or common sense. What more does it take to realize that in order to get or keep a job one wants or needs, one must apply themselves and work hard. I mean this is very simple logic and I don't see how someone's childhood should affect their ability to percieve this. I feel that we should give the human brain a bit more credit than that. Furthermore, I resent the idea presented that improved working conditions are a bad thing. This is the direction of society has happily progressed to for thousands of years. The eradication of the whip and child labour, as well as, the invention mandatory breaks and minimum wage, just to name a few. I do realize these examples are a bit more important than a relaxed work place or food incentives, but the point is that its another step in a positive direction. Why is this being seen as spoiling and giving us more than we're worth? Personally I am unable to identify any problems with improving the way people are treated. AS astounding as it may seem to some, I think this is something to be proud of, and a direction to continue progressing in. But, that is just me.
Chris HSB Student

[mseisler]

As a Millennial, our dream is our moti vation. That is what isw keeps us going. People should understand the life of the typical 9-5 job and would want a better life for us. People should not be able to say, "NO, you can't do or want that because it is not realistic. You can't, it isn't possible." Everyone one should get a chance to dream of the unrealistic job and the unrealistic lifestyle. People back in the day dreamt of the perfect lifestyle too. If people need these dreams to motivate them, then let them have it.
Lisa HSB student

[mseisler]

I?m a high school student in Toronto and I sense Jealousy, The baby Boomers are always saying ?We worked hard for your future to be better? Now that our future is brighter, they are complaining? We Millennials have options, were going to be working 2-6 jobs in our lifetime. Baby boomers had 1-2 jobs in their lifetime and all they had to do was finish high school! Now a day, the minimum is a high school degree and even that will not get you a good salary job. Times have changed. I?m tired of hearing about the Millennials being lazy, were not! So we have made life easier for us and we are adapting, don?t be mad because you baby boomers suffered. Yes we do depend on technology. Yes we think we are all special. I agree with baby boomers on that, but it could also be a good thing. Giving us hope or a dream, is a good thing. Baby boomers, you don?t have to worry, unlike all other generations we will succeed without suffering.
Burak HSB Student