Issue #47

In this issue:

• The Entitlement Generation?
• Whys Cracks
• Did You Know?
• WhysNews Archive

Word to the Whys

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
John F. Kennedy

"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man."
Mark Twain

"The whole world is shifting toward greater equality of opportunity. Rewards will be based on each person's productive capacity on performance as individuals. We're seeking a shift from entitlement to earning. From blame and excuses to personal accountability."
Price Pritchett - Psychologist, Author, Entrepreneur

"Always be smarter than the people who hire you."
Lena Horn

"Most of the change we think we see in life is due to truths being in and out of favor."
Robert Frost

"Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be."
Confucius

"This hypnotist tried to hypnotize me one day, but couldn't. And I tell him that each time I go over to wash his car, which is every Wednesday."
Jack Handey - Author of Deep Thoughts

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Getting Them to Give a Damn: How to Get Your Front Line to Care About Your Bottom Line
the new book by Eric Chester reveals the management techniques that leading-edge employers are using to get these quirky, book-smart, and streetwise employees—Eric calls them 'kidployees'—to contribute in innovative and entrepreneurial ways.

Available now. Order your copy today! -more-

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The Entitlement Generation?

Perhaps you've seen the story that made its way into over 300 daily newspapers, the major television networks, and thousands of websites. It obviously hit a nerve with both managers and kidployees, as it set off a huge chain of blogs and scores of letters to the editor.

The headline read, "The Young Labeled 'Entitlement Generation'" The story featured Evan, a 24-year-old radio sales rep, who revealed that the middle-aged manager who interviewed him for his current job said during the interview that young employees arrive to the job displaying an attitude of 'entitlement.' Evan's reply? "Do we think we're deserving if we're going to go out there and bust our ass for you? Yes."

I, too, was interviewed and quoted in this particular article, but I never imagined that I'd be "debating" Evan a few days later live on a Fox News segment about younger workers and their entitlement mentality. I found it fascinating that the word 'entitlement' riled up so many emotions in so many people.

Webster's defines entitled as "qualified for by right according to law." So, when it comes to a Gen Why entering the workforce, is 'entitled' a fitting term to describe their attitude?

I guess it really depends on who's doing the entering and who's doing the describing. But the 'entitled' label raises two much larger questions that managers and execs everywhere are wrestling with.

First, what would drive a young kidployee to act as if he/she is entitled to a job? (i.e. expecting rapid advancement, frequent raises, time off, special treatment, etc.)

Answer — You would too if you had always been on the demand side of the employment equation. As difficult as it was for you and I to find our first job and our first career, the boom in the service sector over the past 15 years has meant that Gen Whys have always been able to find a job, quit it, and have another one the next day. Further, we are talking about children of workaholic boomer parents who've worked overtime to provide an endless stream of brand name clothing, toys, and electronics, so they think they can apply their techno-savvy skills and "Apprentice" roadmap to get to the top and reap the payoff in much less time. (Just re-read Evan's statement.) Besides, it's tragically un-hip to come across as if you are a rookie seeking wisdom. Much cooler to play the part of a young aggressive "Donald" who's got it all figured out.

Secondly, how is a manager supposed to relate to or connect with a young kidployee that demonstrates an entitlement mentality?

Answer — Expect it. If you anticipate an entitlement mentality and understand the social conditions that created it, you won't be thrown into a blind rage when they display that behavior. Conversely, you'll feel like you hit the lottery when you encounter a kidployee who is genuinely grateful for the opportunity to work for you, and is willing to accept your direction without question.

Further, make time for face time. The best way to diffuse an attitude of entitlement—without uttering the words "you're fired!"—is by forming a relationship where each party trusts the other to help them reach desired goals and objectives. In short, learn why they have a job, why they chose to work for you, and what their short-term and long-term objectives are. Resist the temptation to be like your first employers and 'lay down the law' or tell them your company history and mission statement. Instead, do the opposite and first discover their mission statement. You'll be amazed at how quickly they'll shed their shell of entitlement and acquiesce to doing things your way.

Never forget that regardless of what kind of first impression they make, underneath lies a kid who desperately wants to succeed, possesses the talent and skills to help your business grow, and is searching for direction, leadership, and a caring adult mentor. Rise to the occasion. After all, you're entitled.

Whys Cracks

STUDENTS ORDERED TO ATTACK! - The staff and students at Blalock's Beauty College in Shreveport, La., were confronted by a man with a gun announcing a holdup. He grabbed whatever money he could and was running for the door when manager Dianne Mitchell, 53, stuck out her leg and tripped him, sending him to the floor and the gun flying. "Get that sucker!" she yelled to the 20 student victims, who responded with curling irons and a table leg to beat on the robber. By the time police arrived he was well bloodied, had wet his pants and was crying. Jared Gipson, 24, was charged with armed robbery, but his booking into jail awaits his release from the hospital. (Shreveport Times)
Looks like a new kind of Extreme Makeover!

INHALING A FEW TOO MANY VAPORS: Police in Tyngsboro, Mass., say Michael Corbett, 20, was stealing gas from a truck with a syphon but couldn't see well, so he pulled out his cigarette lighter. He of course set fire to the truck — and himself. He was able to drive himself to the hospital for treatment of burns to his arms, and then turned himself in to police when he was released from the hospital the next day. Meanwhile, Glen B. Germain Jr., 19, of Glen Falls, N.Y., was allegedly stealing gas from a forklift when he decided to see how full his gas can was getting. His cigarette lighter of course set fire to the forklift — and himself. "He panicked and couldn't put out the fire so he fled the scene," an investigator said. He escaped with relatively minor burns, plus a theft charge. Police say it's the second time he had been arrested for gas theft in the last week. (Lowell Sun, Glens Falls Post-Star)
If gas prices don't come down soon, we're may be in for a different kind of global warming!

Did You Know?

More than half of Eric's speaking engagements are for repeat clients:

Here are a few recent bookings, followed by the number of times Eric has presented for each:

• Harley-Davidson (2)
• Wells Fargo (4)
• Hy-Vee Supermarkets (5)
• Figaro's Pizza (2)
• Michigan Association of School Boards (2)
• CITGO (2)
• Society for Human Resource Management (6)

Inquire here to find out how to bring Eric to your event!