By now I think that everybody knows who Susan Boyle is. Her You Tube video has been viewed 100 million times!
Boyle was a contestant on the English show, “Britain’s got Talent 2009.” She is a single, 47 year old, Irish woman. My generation would say is “lacking in beauty.” A nice way to say “ugly.” Yet, despite all these handicaps, Boyle sang a song from “Les Miserables,” beautifully. The video is in fact worth watching.
What does this have to do with Generation Y?
Everything!
First off, it’s incredible to me, how rapidly this whole story unfolded. Boyle sang six days ago, and millions of people have already seen the video. How is this possible? She was even featured on CNN, and other widely diffused television networks. And I ask myself…how did it happen?
Social media is truly amazing. Somebody, somewhere, in a little corner of the world, uploaded this video. Then, the world devoured it whole.
In the beginning, Boyle appeared nervous and awkward. Then suddenly, we were graced with such beautiful sound, filled with perfection and emotion. And we wondered where it was coming from. The voice just didn’t match the face.
Then Susan caused even more of a ruckus, when she admitted that she had never been kissed.
So what? So that was the part that was strangest for us Baby Boomers! We had watched our parents listening to radios, standing up or sitting in a comfy chair. We had seen man set foot on the moon, taking a huge step for all of us.
We have to get used to all this. But it still hurts.
Something else caught my attention. Everybody was talking about how ugly she was. This was the only thing they talked about. In the past, or in the present for Baby Boomers, it wasn’t right to say what we thought. Whether in the house or in the workplace, we couldn’t speak our mind freely. We were raised by a generation who was no stranger to punishment. Their parenting style was characterized by its rigidity.
Why did this change?
Because Baby Boomers didn’t want their kids to be raised in the same manner, as they were. They wanted them to have all the freedom they never had. So, the way we raise our kids has changed, and the context has also changed.
Parents look for schools that are open and that embrace difference and individuality. New educational methods stimulate creativity. These methods allow the new generation to be more authentic. They are less afraid to confront and discuss issues with their peers and their superiors.
And how does this freedom and authenticity translate into the business world? It doesn’t. It would crush the carefully constructed hierarchal structure to pieces. It’s a strange and obscure network of relationships that determines the real power in businesses. If everything is said candidly and openly, this network loses its function. People lose their power.
In businesses we don’t like it when these “kids” who think they know everything, come in and tell us that a report or analysis isn’t up to par. Or when they simply tell us, that Susan Boyle is ugly. Does this represent a conflict between generations?
But if we know that new generations are one way socially and another way in businesses, why don’t we adapt? For the same reason that an alcoholic doesn’t stop drinking just because he knows he has a problem. It’s going to take a while before these “kids,” can really say what they think, in the workplace, without causing conflict.
Yet, if all this is true, I have a question for generation Y. Why is it that when I ask for negative feedback, or need to give constructive criticism, does it still cause a level of discomfort among you?
I’m waiting for your thoughts. Let’s talk more tomorrow.
[...] If everything is said candidly and openly, this network loses its function. People lose their power. Read Source [...]
[...] If everything is said candidly and openly, this network loses its function. People lose their power. Read Source [...]