Hey – I bet you came to read to see if your name was on the list – didn’t you? It’s all right, I got hooked into writing this the same way and in the middle found myself wondering what does it all mean. About a week ago, I got a letter in the mail wanting me to nominate (or “self-nominate”) candidates for the next generation business leaders over the next 10 years. Sounds harmless enough right? Just a good group – like your local chamber or maybe even your local SHRM chapter – looking to reward and recognize some great Pros out in the community. Then I read the fine print!
“Criteria for nomination:
1. Must be 30 years or younger
2. Professional centered in a certain geographical area
3. Minimum of 2 years of working experience”
Well, now doesn’t that just kick me right in the 40 year old a$$. I don’t really have a problem with us trying to recognize young professionals – wait a minute – yes I do. When the hell are we going to start recognizing some old professioanls – some people who have actually done something in their life and are probably currently doing something in their life beyond becoming the mayor of Starbucks on the corner of 3rd and Waterbury Street! When are we going to start recognizing professionals with 15 years of experience, busting it everyday and at the same time raising a family and contributing to their communities?
So, look, I get it – the middle aged white guy is all uptight because he didn’t get his soccer trophy for taking 8th place in the 8 team league. But, what I don’t get is our compulsive obsession in trying to figure out who’s going to be the next greatest whatever. I truly don’t care to go down to the next Chamber meeting and hand out trophies to the 20 somethings and listen to their “acceptance” speeches on how with 3 years of experience in the rough and tumble world the’re ready to take over for gramps here – when they don’t have the first clue on how to take over – except for the fact that they are pretty sure there must be an App for that.
Again, don’t get me wrong – I love the younger generation and how they keep telling me that we no longer need offices and work hours and can do everything that is ever needed from our phones – well except actually do actual work and pay bills. Here’s an idea that I love – at your next local whatever meeting, start the process to nominate the Next 10 Pros in the Next 10 Years who won’t still be living with their parents. Now, that is something I’d like to see…I might even self-nominate myself for that award!
Tim…The Greatest post ever by a HR executive with 15+ years experience!
If only companies knew that the easiest people to recruit are the “Forgotten”. You know what I mean, the people “too old” for a Leadership Development Program, and not in enough of a “protected class” to be provided a Mentor.
It’s the “Forgotten” that go under the radar and make big things happen when they leave for the competition. After all, they have a bone to pick with being overlooked and swept to the side.
I agree with the premise of what you are saying, but I think your post would have a greater impact if you didn’t come across as so angry.
Contrary to popular belief, there are a lot of hard-working 20-somethings (I’d wager, the majority) that go to work and contribute to their teams every day. In fact, the majority that I’ve worked with are in the office at 8, leave at 9, work on the weekends, etc. Oh yeah, and they don’t live at home. They scrape their bucks together to live with 3 roommates in a one-bedroom conversion apartment.
Be open-minded. Not every 20-something is lazy know-it-all with an entitlement complex.
Hey wait… I’m the mayor of Starbucks.
Nice post, and that is coming from one of us “greener” professionals. The concept of recognizing potential accomplishments should come second to the concept of recognizing actual accomplishments.
Also, you actually can pay bills from your phone… except for the water bill. I still have to mail in that one :-/
I absolutely enjoyed reading this article.
“Again, don’t get me wrong – I love the younger generation and how they keep telling me that we no longer need offices and work hours and can do everything that is ever needed from our phones – well except actually do actual work and pay bills.”
….hate to burst your bubble, but we can pay bills from our phones too!
And don’t worry, us young kids wouldn’t be anything without the wonderful teachings of our mentors, whose 15+ years of experience have given us so much to learn from. So, thanks!
I agree 100% with you Paige. The article does come off as extremely mad, bitter even. Contrary to what you believe the majority of “twenty somethings” are constant contributors to the organizations they work for or their own organizations. Maybe you haven’t been fortunate enough to witness valuable team members who are younger than you, that’s too bad.
And in this economy where employees are doing the job of 4-5 people but barely making the salary of one, 3 years of consistent experience, is enough.
oh and you can pay your bills from your phone. Including my water bill!
I’ll actually write some more serious defusing this bomb of a post but all I can imagine right now is little Timmy Sackett crying because he didn’t get his trophy.
Local, regional and national HR and talent organizations regularly award greatness in HR and talent management. I can tell you from experience that an overwhelming majority of these awards go to people over 30 who have 10 to 30 years of experience in the field. Not only that, within most business, those people are also in charge, get bigger bucks and are routinely credited and recognized for the results. It’s easier to get the respect of peers when you’ve been making connections in the industry since the macarena was popular.
So I’m not worried about you getting recognized. You do every day and, if you applied yourself Sackett, you could probably get one of the hundreds of awards that are out there for the taking for seasoned professionals.
HR has a serious retention problem among that under 30 crowd (not that I would know anything about that). So if someone wants to recognize a younger professional that is making great strides and is making an impact, good for them. In the dregs of HR as you’re making your way up, pay and recognition is few and far between. If doing one of those helps retain some of the brighter ones, what’s the problem?
Oh and grab a tissue. You’re embarrassing yourself.
Way to go Lance! Completely agree. I am extremely impressed with the new crop of HR pros coming into the scene. They are well educated and have a vision of their career in HR. I’m sorry but I can easily name about 40 people I know in HR that stumbled into the profession. That didn’t say to their parents when they were little that they wanted to be an HR pro. Back then it was called “administration” or “personnel”.
The new generation of HR pros know in their first year of business school that they want to be the best HR pros. They are networking like crazy and resourceful when it comes to new tools in talent management and strategic planning. They blog and have a point of view. And they do put in a ton of hours (as per Paige above) in their work, studies and extra-curricular activities.
So sorry Tim…you may have sweated it out trying to define your role as a HR pro and need regular accolades. This new generation is already living it, breathing it and leading it. Step aside!
Leaving aside the “Your Generation Drools, Ours Rules,” conversation –
I’ve been surprised at how often commissions, magazines, blogs, associations, etc send out invites to be considered for or just to be on their top whatever of whatever list. I’m a third-rate HR blogger and an invisible HR pro, and I get crap like that all.the.time.
If you ask me, most of theses lists are either linkbait/badgebait or a power play by someone who wants to be seen as a kingmaker. A great deal of it seems like digital versions of “Who’s Who” crappery.Paraphrasing Groucho, I’m suspicious of any club that would have me as a member.
Lance, Erica, Brenda and Paige,
I have to say you guys, as seasoned HR Pros, have an uncanny way of just nailing it. I really tried to hide my bitterness and anger, but you were able to read right through my observations and get to the heart of the matter.
You’re all right – no need for experience for you guys – your ready! If you ever need a recommendation for those CPO jobs you’re appying for, just ask -
Kudos!
P.S.
For all of you that still believes Lance is GenY – I hate to break the news, he’s actually John Sumser’s Dad. Sorry to blow your cover Haun!
I don’t think I’ve won an award since HS graduation with the various “most likely to../class xxxx” awards. And now it’s just dawning on me that the time frame can be counted in “decades”.. talk about bitter.
No, keep your old guy job, Sackett. We need you to tell us how easy our jobs are now that we have computers and that “internet thing.” I still need to learn the ropes when it comes to losing at golf to the boss too. And certainly, when your boss hands you something to do, we will need someone to decide who will actually do the work.
That’s all you, buddy. You’ve still got plenty of miles in you!
HaHa – Robin – I will nominate you for “most likely to accpet a free drink at a monster tweet up” – How about that!
Most awesome thing I’ve read today. HBR had a great article about ‘Gen X on Gen Y’ which said kind of the same thing but you said it better. Way.
I’m sorry you are so defensive – especially since I thought my post was reasonable. I thought blogs were supposed to facilitate useful discussions and debate. But, thank you for reminding me how unattractive sarcasm is – there is really nothing uglier in the middle of a reasonable conversation.
Actually, I’m not an HR pro at all. I work in a different industry. And, I never claimed I was seasoned at anything, all I said was that the 20-something’s I have had the opportunity to work with were hard workers who tried to do their best every day.
Paige -
Breath in…
If you’ve read my stuff prior – you would see I’m not a defensive person – but I am a bit snarky and like to have fun. It’s kind of the way we play here.
I meant no offense to your post – i’m a big boy and can take it.
Thanks for engaging in the convesation!
Sorry, I’m a little late the the game, but… Tim, I definitely see your point in handing out unwarranted recognition, but what about the role recognition plays in employee engagement and retention? I’m a borderline GenX/GenY employee and am certainly not looking to see my name on a list of Top 30 Under 30 anytime soon (besides, I’m getting too old for that list anyway). But for me, recognition for my hard work and other accomplishments keeps me motivated in my job and committed to my company. Employee retention is at an all-time low and employee recognition, regardless of generational differences, is critical to keeping workers satisfied and engaged.
Think about it: http://blog.yoh.com/search/label/Recession%20to%20Succession
Gen Y (hate the term, but it instantly gives a little perspective, right?) here, and I will be on the list, Tim. Just a little FYI.
#shovingtheoldguysoutontheirbutts
Ben