Millennials have been getting hammered by the media and their older counterparts for years and it really needs to STOP! I am a Gen X – Boomer cusper, meaning I was born on the year someone decided to change the names. I supposedly possess characteristics from Generation X as well as the Baby Boomers. It is supposed to cause me great anxiety as I plow through life with one foot on each side of the generational line. I guess there is a little truth to that but it is not as black and white as generational “experts” want you to believe. I consider myself an Intergenerational Engagement “expert” primarily because I have had the opportunity to work around k-12 education for 20 plus years. I have experienced the changing family dynamics at work and in the schools. I’ve seen the positive and negative effects of technology on kids and parents. We are all living in a confusing time and we all seem to me STRESSED OUT! Much of the confusion is coming from personality and generation-based communications challenges. For the first time in our history, we have five generations active in the economy. This creates challenges for employers, marketers, educators and even non-profit organizations. A one size fits all communications or marketing plan will no longer suffice. My company specializes in helping organizations enhance their internal and external communications by embracing their “Age Diversity.” We help individuals from all generations and each personality style become self-aware by, first understanding why they may act or feel a certain way. We then help them understand the “general” characteristics of others who may be from a different generation or have a polar opposite personality style. As Stephen Covey wisely says,“Seek first to understand, then be understood.” Those of you who follow my rantings are aware that I am a big Gen Y fan. I believe Millennials will end up being the most creative and giving generation ever. Even though I am not a Millennial, I understand why they get upset with all the stereotypes and generalities that pundits spew about “their kind.” I had the pleasure of coming across the following post by Chloe Bryan that was originally posted on Mashable July 31, 2017. Chloe, a Millennial listed 70 things that her generation has been accused of killing. What I love about her work is that she actually linked to the “murder piece” she referenced for each of the 70 things. “Here are all the things millennials have been accused of killing. Rest in peace, societal fabric. We hardly knew ye.” Nice work Chloe. 1. Beer 2. J. Crew 3. Department stores 4. Motorcycles 5. Diamonds 6. Golf 7. Bar soap 8. College football 9. Lunch 10. McDonalds 11. Vacations 12. Napkins 13. Cars 14. Crowdfunding 15. Wine 16. Wine corks (almost!) 17. The Toyota Scion 18. Fabric softener 19. Marriage 20. The McWrap 21. Handshakes 22. The Canadian tourism industry 23. Light yogurt 24. Gambling 25. Hotels 26. Relationships 27. Marmalade 28. Running 29. Cereal 30. The anti-aging industry 31. Buffalo Wild Wings 32. Focus groups 33. Travel marketing 34. Working 35. Credit 36. Trees 37. The American Dream 38. America 39. Democracy in general 40. Home Depot 41. Self-pity 42. The 2016 presidential election 43. Consumerism 44. Suits 45. Dinner dates 46. Movies 47. Sex 48. Gyms 49. Serendipity 50. Loyalty programs 51. Loyalty in general 52. Taking risks 53. Patriotism 54. Cruises 55. Applebee’s 56. Fashion 57. Hangout sitcoms 58. The Big Mac 59. Stilettos 60. Romance 61. The 9-to-5 workday 62. The NFL 63. Gen X’s retirement 64. The Olympics 65. Brunch 66. The European Union 67. Baby names 68. Banks 69. Oil 70. Everything At least we’ll always have avocado toast.
