Introduction xvii
Chapter one The Platform Is Burning 1
Back to the Future 2
The Time Is Now 2
Leadership for a New Generation 3
The Right Kind of Change 6
Conclusion 8
Chapter tWO For the First Time in History 11
The Generations 12
Why the Emphasis on Gen Y 13
The High Cost of Turnover 14
The Need to Retain Knowledge Capital 18
Conclusion 20
Chapter three Why the Negative Feelings Toward Gen Y: The Science 23
Prejudices 23
The Four Generations 26
Overcoming Stereotypes 31
Conclusion 34
Chapter four Myths 37
Myth 1: Gen Yers Are Slackers or Lazy 38
Two Common Attribution Errors and the
Rest of the Story 39
Myth 2: Gen Y Needs Instant Gratification and
Wants a Trophy for Just Showing Up 43
Gen Y Loves More Feedback 45
Myth 3: Gen Yers Are Disloyal and Job-Jumpers 49
How to Inspire Gen Y 51
Communicate the Big Picture 52
Myth 4: Gen Y Is Self-Centered and Narcissistic 54
Myth 5: Gen Y Is Pampered and Spoiled 56
Authority Figure vs. Authentic Figure 60
Myth 6: Gen Y Lacks Respect for Authority 64
Myth 7: Gen Y Feels Entitled 66
How You Must Deal with These Myths 70
Conclusion 72
You Have to Be a Role Model 72
Do Not Lower Your Standards 72
Chapter five Recession Generation 77
Some of the Numbers 78
Gen Y’s Response 80
Gen Y’s Post-Recession Attitude 82
Our Thoughts 84
Conclusion 88
Chapter six Key Skills 91
Understanding Gen Y’s Eight Key Skills 91
Key Skill 1: Gen Y Is Tech-Savvy 92
Key Skill 2: Gen Y Is Diverse 93
Key Skill 3: Gen Y Understands the Global Marketplace 94
Gen Y Thinks Globally 94
Key Skill 4: Gen Yers Have Good Self-Esteem 95
Key Skill 5: Gen Y Has a Sense of Security and Is Ambitious 96
Key Skill 6: Gen Y Has Life Experience in the Marketplace 97
Gen Y Understands the Customer Perspective 97
Key Skill 7: Gen Y Is Research-Oriented 98
Key Skill 8: Gen Yers Are Problem Solvers 99
Conclusion 100
Chapter seven New Realities for Leaders 103
Ten New Realities About Gen Y 104
You Need to Enforce the New Realities 104
Reality Change 1: Gen Y Is Delaying Marriage and Parenthood 105
Reality Change 2: There Is No Stigma Associated with Moving Back Home 106
Reality Change 3: When Gen Y Leaves, No One Is at Fault 107
Reality Change 4: Gen Y “Leases” a Job; Not “Buys” 109
Reality Change 5: Multiple Jobs Are a Badge of Honor 110
Reality Change 6: Your Leadership Is Continually Being Evaluated 111
The Triple Bottom Line 113
Reality Change 7: Their Circle of Influence Is Also Watching 115
Reality Change 8: The Extended Family Is Coming Back for Gen Y 117
Reality Change 9: Gen Y Has a Vision for Themselves 118
Identify Gen Y’s Personal Vision 120
Develop a Shared Vision 120
Reality Change 10: There Is an “Ambition Gap” Between Gen Y Men and Women 121
Conclusion 124
Chapter eight You Have a Personal Brand 127
The New Leadership Brand Promise 128
Some Examples 129
What Is Your Leadership Brand? 130
What You Do for Employees 134
Better Leadership Works for Everyone 135
Communication Fundamentals 135
Choose Your Words 136
Nonverbal Communication Counts 137
Communication Involves Listening 138
Conclusion 139
Chapter nine World-Class Performers 141
Skill 1: World-Class Performers and Leaders Use Performance Feedback or “Game Film” 143
Skill 2: World-Class Performers and Leaders Turn Unconscious, Negative Tendencies into Conscious, Positive Choices 145
Skill 3: World-Class Performers and Leaders Practice Energy Management 146
Energy Waster 1: Why Can’t They Be Like We Were? 147
Energy Waster 2: Why Do We Have to Change . . . Why Can’t They Change? 147
Energy Waster 3: Defensiveness 148
Energy Waster 4: Judging the Messenger 148
Skill 4: World-Class Performers and Leaders Realize That What Is Required for Improvement May Be Counterintuitive 149
Gen Y Wants Feedback 150
Skill 5: World-Class Performers and Leaders Develop a Clear Vision 151
Skill 6: World-Class Performers and Leaders Seek Out Coaches/Mentors 155
Skill 7: World-Class Performers and Leaders Develop Tactical and Measurable Action Plans 157
Skill 8: World-Class Performers and Leaders Recover from Losses Quickly 158
Skill 9: World-Class Performers and Leaders Use Positive Self-Talk 159
Conclusion 161
Chapter ten Study Your Game Film: Knowing Personality Types 163
A Lack of Self-Awareness 164
It’s All Communication 165
Leadership Is Communication 165
People Are Different! 165
Styles, Personality Profile, and the Four Generations 166
Personality Theory 168
The DiSCTM Personal Profile 168
Primary DiSC Styles 169
Leaders Communicate Effectively 173
The Accuracy of DiSC Profiles 175
Game Film for Leaders 175
Vision 180
Alignment 181
Execution 184
Building and Maintaining Momentum 184
Providing Real-Time Feedback 188
Self-Assessment 194
Hiring 194
Career Planning 195
Team Building 195
Flexible Leadership Style 196
Preventing or Resolving Conflicts 196
Game Film 197
Conclusion 199
Chapter eleven Emotional Intelligence 203
Why the Interest in EQ? 204
Three Ways to Define EQ 206
Gen Y and EQ 208
A Good Manager Needs to Have High EQ Social Skills 208
Gen Yers Are Group-Oriented 209
Self-Awareness 210
“Analyzing” Yourself 210
Self-Management 211
Managing Others’ Emotions 211
Conclusion 213
Chapter twelve Addressing the Burning Platform: Change Management 215
Improving Your Organization 216
Your Organizational Assessment 217
Survey Two Gen Y Issues 218
Your Change Efforts 219
Five Steps to Sustaining Change 221
Keep Score 222
Link the Front Line 223
Rewards and Recognition 223
Performance Management 226
Implementing Change 228
Vision and Strategy 228
Organizational Alignment 229
Workforce Enablement 230
Sustainability 232
Conclusion 234
Chapter thirteen Attracting and Retaining the Talent You Want 237
The Human Investment 238
The Story 239
The Moral of the Story 241
Factory Settings 243
Prepare Your Current Employees for Gen Y 245
The Basics: Recruit for Your Brand 245
Develop Specific Candidate Profiles 247
Develop Accurate Job Descriptions for the Job Now 248
Train Your Interviewers! 250
Behavior-Based Questions Provide More Relevant Information 251
Look for Real Situational Information 252
There’s No Substitute for Reality 253
On-Boarding: Have a Plan 254
Have a Gen Y Mentor 255
Communicate Your Expectations 255
Expand Gen Y’s Horizon 256
Follow Up: Promise Feedback and Deliver It 257
Keep Gen Y Informed 257
Strategic Planning for Retention 258
One-on-One Performance Management 259
Conclusion 260
Chapter fourteen Leadership Challenges 263
Coaching Opportunity 1: Gen Y Can Be Easily Distracted 264
Coaching Opportunity 2: Gen Y May Quit Too Soon 267
Coaching Opportunity 3: Gen Y Wants to Advance Before They Are Ready 270
Coaching Opportunity 4: Knowing Something Is Not the Same as Doing Something 275
Coaching Opportunity 5: Gen Y Is Not “Hungry” Enough 277
Conclusion 279
Chapter fifteen Leadership: A Timeless Principle 283
Principles vs. Rules 283
Leadership Is a Timeless Principle 285
Leaders Must Look in the Mirror First 286
Becoming World-Class 286
Gen Y’s Attitude and Superior Skills 287
The New Realities 289
Turning Knowledge to Action 289
The Platform Is Burning 290
References and Research 291
About the Authors 299
Index 301
