Not Everyone Gets a Trophy: How to Manage Generation Y

Bruce Tulgan published his first book about young people in the workplace when he was 27 and arguing on behalf of his own generation. After fifteen years of working with business leaders in companies ranging from Aetna to Wal-Mart, he felt this was the right time to present business leaders, managers, and other grown-ups with a reality check about "Generation Y" employees (those born 1978 and later). And so, at 42, he has assessed the new generation of young workers. I have rarely resisted a book more. Not because of the book, which is lively and wise and provocative, but because of the attitudes that Tulgan attributes to this generation. I loathed these kids, even though I felt like some descendant of Spiro Agnew ranting against hippies. Bruce knew all about that position --- and why I had it. So when we got together to discuss his book, he not only had a smart answer for every question, he had a trenchant analysis of his interrogator. And, perhaps, you as well. Jesse Kornbluth: Reading this book now, with unemployment rising and rising, I kept thinking: Bruce wrote this book in a different world. The book is an artifact of a time forever past. For example, you write, "You're not the only one selecting. The employee is selecting you too." That's so 2007 to me. Bruce Tulgan: Sorry, but it's still true. Ask anyone in health care --- the demand for skilled talent still outpaces supply in certain industries. There will be many casualties ahead, many young kids can't get hired, but competition for the best people will always be fierce. Remember, the title of my book is 'Not Everyone Gets a Trophy' --- not" `cater to the young upstarts.' My message is about giving a wake-up call to the young upstarts. The terrible economy may be just the opportunity managers need in order to make it stick. JK: You write about the kid who says, "Surfing is really important to me. If the waves are big, I might not come in." Isn't the right response: "Great. Here's the rest of your life to go surfing. See ya..." BT: If this young person is the best person for the job -- besides being really annoying -- then the right thing for the hiring manager to do is to use the surfing as a quid pro quo. GenYers are very transactional in their thinking. Their parents have been negotiating with them since they were very young with small incremental rewards. Use that to your advantage. Trade the surfing with this young person in exchange for getting tons of work done very well, very fast all day long when he's not surfing. JK: Yes, but. In 2009 reality, if I didn't have a job, I wouldn't feel that choosy. Why do these kids think they're so valuable? BT: Well, they may find out they can't be so choosy in this economy. Still, there's a paradox here --- in an environment of uncertainty and rapid change, the playing field is leveled. Long-term payoff no longer is the game. And these kids are smart in a new way. They have more information at their fingertips than any generation in

I've had an opportunity to see Bruce Tulgan speak several times over the last decade and I own several of his books... here's what stands out, to me: Bruce talks to lots of people in his research/analysis phase, gleans the critical leadership aspects of these relationships, the employer/employee role, and offers best practices based on real-life scenarios - something situations on every level can really relate to easily. Few people capture creating effective managerial relationships from every angle as effectively with actionable steps. Definitely worthwhile... thanks again.

Bruce Tulgan fills the pages with yet another brilliant breakdown of the youngest workers. These new participants in the American economy, Generation Y, are given the same thoughtful analysis that Tulgan provided for Generation X a few years ago. Tulgan knows of what he speaks, and his delightful style keeps the reader enthused and knowledgebable. A wise choice for all managers.

Ever since the publication of the informative "Managing Generation X", Bruce's followup books, "Work This Way", and more recently "It's Okay to be the Boss", as well as the many manuals he has authored have continued to be valuable contributions to management. Now, he has scored again with the most necessary and long awaited guide to Generation Y, "Not Everyone Gets a Trophy: How to Manage Generation Y". In it, Bruce clearly defines who these folks are, how they differ from their predecessors and helps us in understanding their needs and how they can become valuable contributors to today's work force. Bravo!!

I got a lot out of this book. Bruce Tulgan's articulate argument in Trophy makes so much sense that it seems obvious... once you've read it. He makes a great argument for old fashioned accountability but informs it with valuable new insights (and real world examples) of how these savvy young career builders view the employee/employer relationship. If you manage people and appreciate a really useful tool that is free from cliches you should read this book.