Millennials: Why Can’t We Understand Them?
The Translation
Okay, let’s begin. First, it’s important to note that the focus on self is an age thing and not narcissism or some character flaw in an entire generation. Young people aren’t taught Sales 101 in high school and therefore can’t speak to your wants/needs adequately. If you can remember what it was like back then, everything is focused on your Features. You don’t start thinking about what Benefits you offer till after your first corporate gig. When you’re young it’s how smart you are, how good looking you are, what kind of athlete you are, etc. Clicks are formed around Features, not Benefits. You get into college based on your Features, not what benefits you’re going to provide the university. From K-Graduation at University, it’s all about Features and then we suddenly expect kids to think differently when everything they’ve been rewarded on so far is how well the display their Features.
You can hate the game, but don’t hate the player.
Before we begin, I promise you that this isn’t just another gripe piece about Millennials. If you’re a Millennial (or work with Millennials) I guarantee that there’s value here on how to more effectively communicate across generational boundaries.
The Set Up
I was asked today by a colleague to interpret a message he got from a Millennial (I work with Millennials every day as a part-time college professor) and so I thought I’d share the message and my interpretation with everyone here.
First, the email…
Hello Chandler Bing,
Hope all is well. I wanted to reach out and personally apologize for missing our meeting a couple of weeks ago. My contacts at xxxx were excited for us to meet and I was looking forward to discussing opportunities for employment with you and xx. Since leaving xxx I’ve had a lot going on, visiting family in Virginia and spending time upstate where I had limited transportation back to the city.
I’m using this time to re-group and do some adventuring, and will be out xxx over the next couple of weeks in the xxxxx and xxxxxx. Upon my return to xxxx (around June 6th) I should be in a more focused state of mind and plan to initiate a concerted job hunt. If there would still be interest in meeting with me sometime in the middle of June I would welcome the chance.
Thank you for your time and interest and hope to hear from you soon.
Boaty McBoatFace (Name withheld for privacy)