The Most-Watched YouTube Videos of the Past Year

Did you know? I currently have more than 50 videos on my YouTube channel!

I thought it would be interesting to share with you the most-watched videos from each of my monthly topics. From assessments to supervisor/employee relationships, I’ve covered a variety of topics to help support executives while they solve problems, develop leadership skills, and increase balance in their lives.

Below are topics from the past year and the video in that series that was most popular!

Topic: Energy

Video:  Two Ways to Increase Energy Immediately!

Topic: Generation Gaps in the Workplace

Video: Who is Generation Jones?

Topic: Assessments

Video: What is a 360 degree assessment and what is its benefit to an organization?

Topic: Management

Video: What Mistakes to Managers Make When Criticizing Employees?

Topic: Career Matching

Video: Can a person be well matched in a job but still feel stressed and inadequate?

Topic: Supervising

Video: Why are managers satisfied with mediocry when it comes to supervision?

Topic: Employee/boss relationship

Video: Why is the supervisor/employee relationship a problem in so many cases?

Topic: Self-Management

Video: What are some simple things people can do to increase their self-management skills?

Topic: Coaching

Video: A coach wears may different hats throughout the coaching engagement. What are those hats?

Topic: Getting to know Sylvia

Video: How does an executive coach differ from a business coach?

Which video did you find valuable? Why?

Helping New Managers Train for Success

A promotion to a management position is a valuable opportunity to gain prestige, visibility and a higher salary. Yet, this promotion is often the result of long term service to a company and historical job knowledge, not because of real-life management experience. New managers are left to rely upon their common sense and gut instinct or to simply learn as they go. This current model promotes frustration and dysfunction within a company, not success.

If any of this sounds familiar to you, you are not alone.

To combat this lack of new management training, Launching Lives’ Founder and Owner, Sylvia Helper will soon launch a new product specifically aimed toward assisting individuals in learning the essential skills needed to function as a manager. Launching Leaders With Sylvia: 5 Essentials for First Time Managers is designed to address the challenges and uncertainties experienced by individuals in new management positions. This product features instruction around the five essential aspects of management including: mindset toward management, time management, professional image, supervision and building trust.

Referred to as “The Manager’s Coach,” Sylvia Hepler is an industry-recognized expert in the field of management and leadership training and coaching. Her background in management provides her with the insight needed to develop a management training product of the highest function and value. In designing this product, Sylvia knew it needed to be something compact, to the point and accessible whether you were at home, in the office or on the road. And that’s exactly what 5 Essentials for First Time Managers delivers. This single kit combines hours of reading books and attending seminars into just five disks which can be listened to anywhere you are.

“When I was first promoted to a management position, I read books and attended seminars, but these resources didn’t boil down the essential content in the succinct, cut to the chase, sort of way I craved,” said Sylvia Hepler, President of Launching Lives, LLC. “I developed 5 Essentials for First Time Managers as the product I wish I would have had and as a way to give new managers the information they need—clearly, simply and fast.”

This product is ideal for new managers who wish to create a working professional image, enhance supervisory skills, combat low productivity and disorganization and develop loyalty and trust with employees. 5 Essentials for First Time Managers will officially launch in the coming weeks where it will then be made available for purchase from the Launching Lives web site or from Amazon.

7 Tips to Bring Positive Energy into Your Life

Nancy Stampahar

This week, we wrap up our series on energy. Do you know the one thing we need to release in order to boost our energy? It’s giving up the notion that we can do it all! Click here to discover more about this. It’s critical that we eliminate the multitude of things that zap our energy. Nancy Stampahar of Silver Lining Solutions offers insight for bringing positive energy into our life and learning to say ‘no’ once and for all!

Do you need more positive energy in your life?  By learning how to occasionally say “no” and treating each other with respect, you can take control of the demands at work and home you are facing.   You must learn how to not fret over your own feelings of guilt, fears of rejection or possible repercussions.  You can still be helpful and considerate of others, but you must take care of yourself first.  Before you respond to someone, ask yourself, “What would make me most happy and fulfilled?”  Once you develop assertive communication skills, you will be able to effectively handle difficult people and awkward situations.
7 Tips to Say “No” and Assert Yourself Today

1. Become self-aware of your communication and behavior patterns.  What is consistently happening in your life? How do these patterns affect you?
2. Evaluate the reasons you feel the need to please or control everyone.
3. Realize the goal of assertive communication is to express your thoughts and boundaries while being direct, honest and respectful of others.
4. Realize it is necessary and okay to say “no” sometimes and to ask questions.
5. Example for Anyone: “I see why this is important to you.  I am unable to help this time.  Let’s try to figure out some other possible solutions that could work.”
6. Example for Boss: “This is what is on my plate right now.  Which one of these priorities would you prefer I remove to accommodate your request?”
7. Example for Anyone: “I’d love to join you but my schedule is already full that week.  Please keep me in mind the next time. Have fun.”

If you do not address your own unique needs, your frustrations will build, you will feel taken for granted and your performances and relationships will suffer.  As Dr. Phil says, “We teach people how to treat us.” It is up to you to face the fears and guilt you carry from your disease to please. Find your courage to change and grow.  When you stop feeling guilty and seeking approval of others, your days will be fueled by positive energy, confidence and self-respect.  You will feel empowered and in control of your life because you utilized your power of choice. You hold the power.  Enjoy the season and assert yourself today!

Source: Nancy Stampahar’s energetic, engaging personality and work initiatives are packed with real-life “how-to’s” and solutions that help you succeed at both work and home. A skilled consultant and the award-winning author of Peace, Love, and Lemonade: A Recipe to Make Your Life Sweeter, Nancy’s heartfelt words, expertise and enthusiasm will ignite your power within to succeed, and her famed “Silver Lining Solutions” will have you making lemonade out of lemons in no time at all! Visit: www.silverliningsolutions.tv

New Resolve for Resolutions

What is the secret to increasing personal energy? I reveal the answer in this YouTube clip.

The answer also reflects what’s true of many at the beginning of a new year: a commitment to change.  I’ve asked one of my favorite guest writers to return to offer insight on this topic. I’m pleased to present the following blog written by Adrienne Thoman. You can read her work on teamwork by clicking here.

During the final moments of 2011, the ball dropped in NYC, the last verse of Auld Lang Syne concluded, and I embarked on another annual tradition… creating my NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS. Yes, each and every year I create a lengthy list of goals for the coming 12 months. Some are noble (Eliminate credit card debt and finally make Suze Orman proud); some are not (re-watch the entire 7 seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

So what happens in March (yes, sometimes even February) that derails me from these goals? For one reason or another, I’ve lost my motivation. Here are a few tips that I use, and that might help you, to keep you working well into 2012.

1. EXPECT CHANGE. If everything could stay the same, you would have already reached your goal. So something has to give. It may be that you need to get up an hour earlier so that you make time for your favorite Zumba® Fitness Class (with me!). You might have to pass on the spring bowling league so you can take that cooking class. The point is that things will be different, and that is GREAT! “Different” is what is going to lead you to reach your goal. Remember, “the same” didn’t do it – so try something new!

2. ASK FOR HELP. I learned this one the hard way. I’ve tried a wide array of diet fads and home programs, but each time my success was short-lived. What really changed for me was getting the courage to ask for help. For you, this might show up in a variety of ways – perhaps you take a budgeting workshop to learn how to manage your finances or find a mentor to help you move to the next level professionally. It can be scary, but do it anyway! Individually we are limited. But by working together, we can truly accomplish anything.

3. BELIEVE YOU CAN ACHIEVE. Sounds simple, right? But this is the hardest one! I had a new gym member in my Zumba® Fitness Class today – His goal was to exercise more and lose some extra weight. Before the start of class he said to me, “We’ll see how long this lasts.”  Now, did he really believe that he was going to achieve his goal? The same goes for you! Put the negative self-talk AWAY, and truly envision yourself in your new reality. We are all capable of so much more than we think we are. Believe it and you WILL achieve it.

Quick Tips:

1. Create a goal poster – Final visual representations of your goal (i.e. a pic of your child to remind you of the many healthy days you will share when you quit smoking). Put it someplace where you will see it… every day.
2. Positive affirmations – Tell yourself every day that you are making it happen. And say it like you mean it! NO: “I will be so much happier when I lose weight” (that’s still negative). INSTEAD: “I look and feel great because I’ve taken control of my health!”
3. Do something toward your goal every day. Trying to learn Spanish? Even on your off days, commit to learning just one word. Even if you slack all year, you’ll still have 365 ways to say, “I DID IT!”

Adrienne Thoman works as a Marketing & Public Relations Specialist for HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College. She also moonlights as a licensed Zumba® Fitness Instructor in the Central PA area. Comments/questions can be directed to Adrienne at adriennethoman@yahoo.com or www.facebook.com/ZumbaAdrienne.

Tips for an Immediate Energy Boost

Beth Romanski

Energy is often something lacking this time of year, which is why I made this video clip offering two ways to increase your energy immediately! To aid in the quest for more energy, I’ve asked Beth Romanski to offer some tips. Below is her guest blog on the topic! Happy New Year!

After a busy (often stressful) holiday season filled with decadent foods and schedules that interfere with regular exercise, about half of the U.S. population sets a New Year’s Resolution to “lose weight” in the upcoming year.  How many times have “lose weight” or “get healthy” topped your resolution list?  This year, why not reframe your old ways of thinking and set a more positive resolution to take specific actions to increase your energy instead?  In doing so, a better outlook on life and natural weight loss may be a result of your efforts!

I have an extremely busy schedule just like many of you, but I find people often ask me how I manage to have so much energy to accomplish everything I do without running out of steam, which is why I have been asked to write as a guest for Sylvia’s monthly column.   Today I am going to share one of my best “secrets” with you so you can feel the same way and have more energy right away!

Many of us are well aware of broad-spectrum activities or habits that are beneficial to incorporate into our lives that will increase our energy levels:  regular exercise, adequate rest, stress-management techniques, choosing to do what you love in work and “play,” interacting with positive people, etc.  but it is hard to make all of these a priority and many of them take time.  So what can you do RIGHT NOW that will give you the energy you need to make it through your hectic day?  The answer is not another cup of coffee, diet soda or sugary snack.

As Health & Wellness Coach, I find that many people overlook the true value of food and what it can do for our bodies. Nutrition is one of the most powerful tools we have to be healthy, but sadly one that is usually put on the back burner when our lives become increasingly overscheduled.  However, our energy levels are directly connected to the foods that we eat!

When do you hit your typical slump?  Some people wake up feeling exhausted and can barely get out of bed in the morning.  If you eat lunch at noon, by 3 pm your body typically has digested food from lunch and your energy levels may be low, but you still need to finish the report for your boss, pick up your kids from school, feed them a snack, take them to soccer practice and attend a work holiday function later that evening.  So what can you do to make it through this type of hectic day with energy to spare?

The two most common culprits to lagging energy are skipping meals and choosing the wrong foods.  With that being said, I am going to provide you with more specific tips to help you increase your energy through the simple power of nutrition!

Beth’s: 

• Eat breakfast!  Not only does eating breakfast within 30 min. of waking jump-start your metabolism, but it gives you an increase in energy throughout the day.  This meal does not have to be complicated.  There are many portable breakfast ideas that eliminate excuses for avoiding this top energy tip.  (For those of you who are trying to lose weight, numerous studies have Top Tips for an Immediate Boost in Energy shown that breakfast-eaters weigh less than people who skip a morning meal, so that is even more motivation for you to get started.)
• Don’t skip meals!  Instead, eat several smaller meals at regular intervals every 3-4 hours through day.  I know this sounds impossible with a busy schedule, but your body will thank you and you will soon have more energy as a result.  If this is something you do not currently do, set a goal to not skip meals/snacks just one day at a time, then work your way up to making this a regular practice.  My biggest tip to make this happen is to plan ahead.  Take a look at your schedule for the upcoming week and plan when you will be most susceptible to skipping a meal.  If you are on a diet (which I view as a four letter word but that topic could be a whole other column) you still need to eat regularly to keep your metabolism going and your energy levels high.

• Choose the right foods in the right combinations.  When I work with clients, this is what we focus on the most initially as the key to immediate results.  This tip can be broken down into more specific recommendations below:

• Don’t shun carbohydrates!  With all the conflicting information out there, carbs have gotten a bad rap.  “Good” carbs are complex with fiber such as whole grains, steel cut oats, legumes, lowfat plain yogurt, sweet potatoes, fruits, are easily converted to glucose slowly which our body can use efficiently for fuel and which gives us energy that is long-lasting.  Processed carbs void of nutrients and fiber will be converted to glucose quickly so your body is not able to use all the sugar in your system at once which is why they are easily stored as fat.

• The best combination for increased energy levels for every meal and snack is to include foods that contain complex carbohydrates, fiber, low fat protein and “good” fats.  Don’t worry about specific ratios; just try to get in all the categories (many foods contain more than one).  In addition to including complex carbs, protein takes longer to digest which gives you energy for longer periods of time.  “Good” fats are also important for satiety and absorption, but if you eat food with too much fat at once your body will feel sluggish.  Sugar is also a tempting energy-boost, but the “crash” that follows the “high” sets you up for the energy slump you are trying to avoid.

• Examples of basic foods that are known for increasing energy naturally are:
  • Apples and other High-Fiber Fruits (Berries, Oranges, Under-Ripe Bananas)
  • Broccoli and other Cruciferous Green Vegetables
  • Eggs
  • Salmon
  • Avocadoes
  • Whole Grains like Oatmeal, Barley, Farro and Quinoa
  • Leafy, Dark Green Vegetables like Spinach, Kale, Arugula, Swiss Chard
  • Sweet Potatoes and other Root Vegetables like Turnips, Carrots, Pumpkin
  • Raw Cashews
  • Raw Almonds
  • Plain Low fat Yogurt or Greek Yogurt (sweeten with agave and fresh fruit if needed)
  • Low fat Cottage Cheese
  • Dried Fruits (natural without added sugars or preservatives)
  • Beans/Legumes
  • Organic Green Tea
  • “Super foods” like Maca, Chia seeds, Flaxseeds, Gogi Berries, Bee Pollen

• Stay hydrated!  I do not mean with coffee, energy drinks, or diet sodas.  Water is the most natural beverage available and it is crucial to our energy levels because it is necessary for life and the functioning of our cells and organs.  My tip is to always carry a BPA free or glass water bottle so that you are never without a refreshing beverage when you need it most.  If you do not like the taste of plain water, add fresh lemon, lime, berries or natural seltzer.

• Consider high quality supplementation.  I am a proponent of getting most of our nutrients from “real” food; but in today’s stressful world with increased exposure to toxic substances supplementation can be important.  If you have a poor diet, I recommend taking a high-quality multivitamin daily.  I personally take an Isotonix OPC3, which is a powerful natural supplement providing loads of antioxidants that promote reduced inflammation which gives me increased energy.  Not all supplements are created equal, so feel free to contact me or talk with a holistic practitioner to discuss supplements that are best for you.

I suggest you put this “tips” list on your fridge or desk so you can see it every day.  I encourage my clients to set small, realistic and achievable goals each day/week, which is often much more effective than large “resolutions” that typically fail. Therefore, if you are not doing any of these things yet, my recommendation is to start with one tip you think is most realistic to incorporate into your current lifestyle and do your best to reach that goal a week at a time before moving on to another.  If needed, try this with a friend, coworker, or Health Coach for additional accountability and motivation.

In closing, we must start making ourselves a priority before we can take care of others and that includes making nutrition a priority/non-negotiable.  Even Michelle Obama recently said in an interview with Barbara Walters on ABC that she makes sure that she puts herself first so that she can be her best self and serve others.   If the First Lady can do it…so can you!

Beth Romanski is a Certified Health & Wellness Coach specializing in personalized nutrition plans and healthy weight loss programs for men, women, kids and families.  For more information, or with questions about your individual healthy lifestyle goals, please contact Beth at 717.473.3913, beth@myhealthytransitions.com or visit her website at www.myhealthytransitions.com.  As a special offer for readers or Launching Lives, please contact Beth for a free health assessment and a free hand out with the top tips for increasing energy immediately with a grocery shopping list, sample daily meal plan and sample recipe including all the energy-inducing foods!

The #1 Drain on Your Energy

It’s the holiday season and many are feeling overwhelmed with tasks, gatherings, and other commitments.  Some may feel zapped of energy and perhaps even burned out.  Are the holidays to blame? This YouTube video reveals the answer by identifying the number one drain on our energy.

I’d like to identify some criteria for determining if something is a drain on your energy.

The task, project, or activity does not align with your personal core values. Do you know what your core values are? Perhaps you want to take some time to evaluate your values, priorities, and vision to help you gain clarity and direction. Once you know your core values, make sure that all of your activities align with those values. If they don’t, then reconsider them.

The activity does not feed your soul. There is such a thing as soul food, and that’s doing things that truly give you joy. For some people, it’s as simple as doing something that gave them joy as a child, such as riding a bike, building sand castles, or painting. Figure out exactly what makes you feel happy, and gear your activities to that.

The activity does not allow you to feel like you are making a meaningful contribution. Stimulation and challenge are what make us feel accomplished, and thus, give us energy. Signing papers, filing, and paying bills is a responsibility, but make sure that you don’t spend an entire day doing these kinds of mundane tasks.  Find at least one project or activity that you can do to contribute meaningfully each day.  This will help to stimulate your brain, make you feel good, AND increase your energy.

The activity does not help you to be more productive and efficient. Are you feeling stuck? Do you start tasks and get easily distracted? If you are struggling to get focused on a task, simply eliminate some of the distractions around you. If you are working on a computer and are tempted to look at Facebook or other websites, try disconnecting your Internet connection for a short time. You’ll eliminate the distraction and get back on task quickly.

The activity is a repetitious time waster. There are tedious tasks that must be completed; however you need to decide if this activity is worth YOUR energy or if you can delegate it so you can focus on what you do best. This is similar to making meaningful contributions mentioned above.  If there are minor tasks, such as researching phone numbers, paying bills, or editing correspondence, delegating those will enable you to move on to more energizing tasks.

The activity takes you away from what is truly important to you.  Can activities of little importance be outsourced? Do they actually need to be done? Take time to answer these questions, and be honest with yourself about the answers.

The activity makes you feel tired and dull.  These activities are a drain.  Whatever you find to be mundane activities will drain your energy levels quickly because you likely aren’t stimulating your brain and feel like you could be doing something else. See if there is a way to delegate these tasks or deal with them in short segments.

The activity is highly frustrating and/or stressful. These activities are likely going to end up falling into the meaningful contribution later, but right now they are frustrating and stressful. Take a break, do some of the mundane tasks and let your brain rest, or go to lunch. The time you take away from the task will help to clear your head and allow you to refocus on the task at hand.

The activity does not use your best talents and skills.  Unquestionably, these are the tasks and activities to delegate.  Hopefully, you’ve surrounded yourself with a great team and each member of that team has a different set of skills. Find the person who excels at these tasks and make it his/her responsibility. This will free up your time and also allow that other person to feel useful.

My name is Amanda… and I am a Millennial!

The following is a guest blog from Amanda Harrison. For more information about Millennials, you can preview videos on my YouTube channel.

My name is Amanda… and I am a Millennial!

I sound proud to say that… but that wasn’t always the case. As a female and as a mother from the Millennial group, I’ve had to break down preconceived notions about who I am. There are those who assumed that I had a poor work ethic. And there are others who assume that because I am a mother, that I cannot do my job as well as someone without children.

We all make decisions on our lives – some good and some bad. What’s essential is that we take responsibility for all of these decisions and work to overcome the notion that a ‘bad decision’ is a reflection of us. Rather, I think poor decisions are learning experiences and they make us who we are: human. Even more important, that we become better people because of our life experiences.

There are some that assumed that because I had children at a young age, that I would never amount to anything — that I would never achieve what I originally intended with my life.

But they were wrong.

I graduated both high school and college with honors – all while working and raising a family. And I now have a rewarding career in the marketing field.

There are times when I’ve been tight-lipped about the fact that I’m a mother. I wanted to be viewed as a smart, strong, independent woman. I want people to see me as someone who will get the job done well, someone who others can depend on, and someone who goes above and beyond.  I only need to be encouraged and accepted, not discounted.

I have excelled in life because I have a passion for what I do. And I hope to be living proof that just because someone may misstep, does not mean they fall from their path.

As a Millennial, I know what I am capable of and I have seen what others are capable of. Generation Y works differently than any other generation. We are strong-willed and we think outside the box. We know how to take a project and run with it. We wish to be part of a greater whole.

My name is Amanda… and I am a PROUD Millennial!

Eliminating Communication Barriers Among Generations: An Interview with Patty Bowen

This week we discuss how Baby Boomers can best communicate with Millennials. This YouTube video offers insight into this discussion.  We’ve also asked Patty Bowen, local HR professional, to answer a few questions. Below are her responses.

What do you find to be the biggest hindrance to effective communication among different generations?

In my opinion, there are two main hindrances to effective communication between the generations:  stereotyping or pigeon holing a generational group and an unwillingness to compromise or be willing to modify your own personal communication style.

This unwillingness to compromise is not dedicated to any specific generational group. Preconceived notions of a particular age have been around for hundreds of years. In the 19^th century, living to age 50 was old. In the sixties it was ‘never trust anyone over thirty’, and in today’s world fifty is viewed as relatively young. With the advancement of technology, medical enhancements, a better understanding of the importance of living an active healthy lifestyle, opportunities for professional development,and people remaining in the workforce longer whether by necessity or for enjoyment, our world is a very different place than it was even twenty years ago.

Can you offer any solutions?

The best advice anyone can have to communicate effectively between the generations is to be open- minded.  Do no assume that all Millennials are technology savvy and Boomers are not. It is the Boomer generation, after all, who developed many of today’s technologies.  It is important that if you are unfamiliar with a term, a concept, or technological model, to ask about it and be receptive to the answer. If you are uncomfortable asking a younger person (or vice versa) a question on an unfamiliar subject, seek out the answer elsewhere.   Go online; the world is at your fingertips. Or, if you are not proficient on the computer, look it up in a reference book.

No matter what your age, learn how to navigate the internet and learn new software applications.  Computers are here to stay! Knowing how to work an X-box or play ‘Angry Birds’ is not going to help you advance in the workplace, but on the other hand, understanding that there is more to computers than  word documents,  spreadsheets, and workplace proprietary programs will allow for thoughtful, insightful conversations in the workplace, no matter what your age.

In Sylvia’s YouTube video, she gives three suggestions for Baby Boomers to best communicate with Millennials: using modern technology for communication, outlining expectations, and offering valuable feedback. Which of these would you say is most important? Can you add to this list?

Millennials, or those who were born between 1980 and 2000 (some say 1981-1999), typically have grown up with devoted parents with very structured lives.  They have participated in many activities that involve teamwork– so much more than just baseball or basketball teams. Because of these team interactions, they are used to formalized, constructive feedback and look for input on their performance as individuals as well as members of a team.  They want to be recognized, and they want to become achievers.  They have been taught to become achievers by doting parents.   Providing feedback is one of the best ways to communicate with Millennials—actually, with any age group.  Feedback should be timely, focused on performance rather than personality, and consistent among all workers.

Because Millennials are used to working in teams, they look at the workplace as not just a job, but as a place where they can socialize and make new friends. It is important that they have work-life balance.  Due to the team concepts that they have grown up with, they are used to working with a diverse network of individuals. You want to establish a positive, constructive relationship, give them the ability to work with a diverse group, help them understand the big picture objectives of a project yet let them know how valuable their own personal contribution will be to achieving that project goal.

Do you believe Baby Boomers find Millennials a threat to their success? Conversely, do you believe Millennials find Baby Boomers a threat to their success? Please explain.

I could answer both yes and no to this question, but then I would be stereotyping a generational group and not looking at individual characteristics of the workers. Just as not all Boomers were hippies and attended Woodstock, it is also not true that all Millennials were into grunge or attended Bonnaroo.  (Not sure what I am talking about? Look it up!)

Baby Boomers should not look at a Millennial as a threat; they should consider this a time when they can share their knowledge and be a mentor to their successor. A supervisor or manager is only as good as the employees that work for them. Of course, not everyone is a supervisor or manager, but at any age, you can be a mentor.

As a Boomer, look at this opportunity to learn new concepts from Millennials.   Help them find their way within an organization. If you feel threatened by what you perceive to be their superior computer abilities, take the time to learn some new programs yourself. If you are a Millennial, do not assume that the Boomer is out- dated and does not know what is happening; I can introduce you to Boomers who would put your computer skills to shame!   Also, as a Millennial, you need to understand that it is not your ‘right’ to come into the workplace and immediately become the boss. You need to work your way up through the company, just as those before you did.  Just because someone is what you consider ‘old’, do not think she’s ready for the grave. Many Boomers are not staying in the workplace just to keep you from advancing; they are staying actively engaged because they enjoy what they do and are good at it; or maybe they are still paying for some of those Millennial College loans!  : )

About Patty Bowen

With 20+ years’ experience in business, Ms. Bowen has held multifaceted roles delivering a variety of positive results in sales, training, human resources, customer service, and business and workforce development.  Currently, she works in the Human Resources Department as Coordinator, Professional Development at HACC, Harrisburg Area Community College, and is an adjunct faculty member at Eastern University’s Campolo College of Graduate and Professional Studies. Previously, she served as the Sales and Marketing Director for Emeritus at Harrisburg, a senior personal care and memory care community. Patty also worked at UPS for 15 years and was a member of the Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board within the PA Department of Labor and Industry.

She  earned her Associate’s degree in Business Studies at HACC, and her Bachelor’s in Applied Behavioral Science and  Master’s in Education in Adult Training and Development from Penn State – Harrisburg.  In addition, she has a certificate in HR Management. She is a member of SHRM and ASTD. *

*Comments made are from the professional, personal, and educational experiences of Ms. Bowen and are only intended for guidelines and informational purposes.

Generation Jones: The ‘Lost’ Generation

This week, we continue our discussion of generational differences in the workplace. I thought we should cover a generational group that’s slightly different from Generation X, Y or the Baby Boomers. The group is called Generation Jones and you can learn more about them with this video clip.

Below are a few questions and answers about the Generation Jones.

Those in the Generation Jones group were born between 1954 and 1965, which is latter part of the Baby Boomer Generation.  Why do you believe the Generation Jones categorize themselves outside of the Baby Boomer Generation?

Members of Generation Jones don’t want to be associated with Baby Boomers because they perceive Boomers as making many leadership mistakes over the years.  They frequently disagree with how Boomers have handled significant global concerns, various business decisions, and environmental preservation efforts.  Consisting of 26 percent of the U.S. population (53 million people), this group feels ready to lead in a very different way.  They are just waiting for their chance to do so.  Waiting in the wings until more upper end Boomers retire, they find themselves in a position of having to be patient.  They see themselves as the “lost generation,” sandwiched between the Boomers and Gen X.  I think they resent this.

Some of the words used to describe Generation Jones have included the following characteristics: competitive, yearning, cynical and frustrated.  Would you consider any of these characteristics to be accurate? Why or why not?

These words accurately describe Generation Jones in part because these folks aren’t using their skills and talents to the optimal level.  On a positive note, it’s also important for us to know that this generation is willing to try new things, is open to possibility and influence, and is still searching for opportunities to make major contributions to the world.  They see themselves as capable careerists who feel they have so much more to give.

It’s said those in the Generation Jones group are responsible for electing our current President, Barack Obama. Why do you think this group chose Obama as a leader?

Generation Jones may have helped to elect Obama because Obama himself is a member of this group.  Perhaps they could relate to him on a number of levels, since many would share his world view, his interpretation of historical and current events, and his ideas for bringing needed change to the country and to the world.

If you had to highlight one key area that separates Generation Jones from the Baby Boomers, would that area be?

In general, persons in Generation Jones are less self-important than the Baby Boomers.  They have an equally strong desire to make meaningful contributions without needing to be recognized in big ways.  They may be less self-focused than the Boomers.

How Are Colleges Preparing Millennials for the Workforce?

Born to Baby Boomer parents, members of the Millennial Generation have often been told that they are destined for something special; that they are the key to our future. But they also face tremendous pressure to achieve. Many feel pressure from parents to perform well in school and from peers to contribute to the team. Some are also over-scheduled and would like more balance. Millennials differ dramatically from the previous generation, Generation X, primarily in their positive attitude, strong self-image and expectation of employers.

For this group, the preferred working environment combines teamwork and technology. Millennials like to be useful and helpful. If you have employees who know more about a topic than you do, let them talk about what they know. Millennials also think in many dimensions at once. Provide opportunities for them to be creative in how they approach and fulfill requirements.

I’ve addressed how businesses can attract quality Millennials with this YouTube video.

I’m also curious how colleges are preparing Millennials for the workforce and how companies are attracting Millennials to their workplace. I’ve asked a local college professor for some insight. The following was written by Professor MJ Zygmont of Central Penn College.

I can only speak with certainty about how Central Penn College (Central Penn) is preparing Millennials for the workforce, but I believe that most post-secondary institutions recognize the need to do so. Why is this critical? In the past four years, graduates have had to recognize that they are entering the workforce at a difficult time. This situation is primarily due to the downturn in U.S. economy and the resulting increase in unemployment. Unfortunately, this may remain the standard for the next few years. What this means to graduates is that not only have organizations reduced the number of employees they are hiring, but they are also laying off employees. Further, employees are choosing to work longer versus taking a retirement option. Therefore, college students must use their time in college to gain skills that make them attractive and competitive when seeking employment, and colleges like Central Penn must assist them in this effort.

Central Penn is a career-focused institution. Professors build programs and teach courses informed not only by their academic knowledge, but also their industry experience. This career focus creates an environment in which students are trained to be an educated and experienced employee. Millennials are considered traditional students, the majority attending college immediately after high school with little formal work experience, and; therefore, Central Penn must provide experiential experiences in the classroom, through research projects, mandatory community service, and a mandatory internship. Further, Central Penn requires students adhere to a professional appearance policy in order to instill habits appropriate for the workforce. In addition, through the Career Service department, Central Penn provides networking opportunities so that students, beginning their first term, can begin making connections to employers. Each step along the way, students gain the skills they need to be competitive when seeking employment.Millennials, as all generations do, have a unique approach to their careers. Most are interested in making money and being ‘successful’, but they also have the need to maintain relationships whether it be family, friends, significant others, or through a vast social network. For this generation, technology is ubiquitous. Companies that are interested in attracting Millennials must recognize their value (i.e. knowledge, creativity, technological skills) and be willing to adapt to the needs of these workers. How can companies adapt? Flexibility is perhaps the most important descriptor for what this generations seeks in an organization, as well as a manager. Flexibility to understand that the quality of the employee work-life balance will be a significant deciding factor as to how satisfied they are with their job and whether they can be retained by an organization. Another key factor to attract Millennials is to provide them an opportunity to grow both personally and in their careers. Employees are interested in personal and professional development and an organization that will support these activities is more likely to attract and retain Millennials.