Moments — Mousetraps and Milliennials

I should mention two things upfront — the mouse doesn't do well in this story, and although I am a very big supporter of the Millennial demographic (for all kinds of reasons), I experienced a situation that epitomized why there are so many detractors.

I only find myself a bit player in this little drama for no other reason then I happened to have a couple of mousetraps under the sink — and really, only because I answered the phone. The voice on the other end of the phone told me that a mutual neighbour was upset that there was a mouse in her place, and wondered if I had any ideas how to "get rid of it".  Moments later a knock came to the door and I was handing my mousetraps over with the suggestion that cheese works well.

"I heard peanut butter" was the response.

It wasn't long after that I received another slightly agitated call saying that they've seen the mouse and could I come over and help set the traps. Not having any energy to look for my cape I arrived shortly there after to find two people who were definitely not fans of mice (I should mention that I make no judgement here because I'm not a fan of spiders — we all have our things). Asking where the traps were, I was directed to a table that had my two traps and a jar of peanut butter; organic peanut butter to be exact. Looking at the runny, but tasty spread, I asked if she had any cheese. 

"Nope".

Ten minutes later I was back with some cheese (and still without that cape) and asked if she knew how to set a mouse trap. I was told that she used to live in the country, was familiar with mice, and knew how to set a mousetrap — but she asked if I could do it and remind her how the setup's done (fair enough). A couple of minutes later two mouse traps are locked and loaded, and placed strategically along the floor boards; I even left some extra cheese because mice can be "tricky". As we parted company I wished her luck and mentioned to be patient... end of story.

Nope.

A day later I received a frantic call asking if I could I please come over. Not even bothering to look for that cape I went over to be greeted by panic; they'd seen the mouse on the kitchen counter... and the cat is under the bed, and wouldn't come out. As I looked over at her boyfriend (who was holding a broom for some reason) I couldn't help but ask, "Cat? Where are the traps?" They explained that the night before they brought in a cat to catch the mouse and they removed the traps so the cat wouldn't step on them. The cat turned out not to be much of a "mouser" and spent most of it's time under the bed — mouse 1, cat 0, people 0.

After some discussion (which included their ability to set up a mouse trap and their request for me to do it), the traps were reset and put back into position. The owner of the cat was called and then it was suggested they should let the place settle down. Again we parted company, I wished them luck, and suggested they be patient. What happened next I only found out through that mutual neighbour — supposedly, thirty minutes after I left the mouse was dead and a cheer of victory erupted.

So what does this story actually have to do with Millennials (other than the people with the mouse trouble were in their mid to late twenties), and why does this epitomize what detractors have been offering up for more than a decade? Well let me offer some thoughts...

• Why does your mouse problem becomes everyone else's?
• Although I appreciate and respect we can't know how to do everything, you don't get to say, "I know how to do it" (with great conviction by the way) and then ask someone else to show you how to do it. Someone is fooling someone, and I know I'm not being fooled.
• Sure I appreciate the desire to celebrate, but let's be candid, you really don't have much to celebrate about when you're just "participating".
• Maybe a "Thank you" will eventually find it's way to me but I can't help think the lack of any acknowledgement is the result of a hardwired expectation that you are entitled to someone looking after you, and your problems
• When you borrow someone's mousetrap, there is a certain expectation you will fucking return it — I suppose it's another variation of the above.

As I mentioned at the outset I love this generation, and believe their potential will possibly change the world like no other... but for now, I'm shaking my head a little and will leave these two to their own devices when it comes to future mouse issues.

iamgpe

PS — And as for that poor mouse (who I might add, probably found it's way into the house because someone left the door open), I hope there is a lesson learned with it's sacrifice. I hope it reminds people not to be so self-centred because there is a very big world out there just trying to make it's way and your paths will cross — or at the very least, a simple reminder to keep your door closed because it's warm inside.

If you are a Millennial this is what you need to know about me...

There was a time (which I admit seems like many lifetimes ago) where I was actively involved in hiring and working with people at the very, very end of the Gen X tail and at the very beginning of the Millennial generation (or in those days what we affectionately called the whY Generation) — frankly I'm not sure the distinction even matters because they all came to the table with great potential. It was a time of "high adventure"... with countless memories and stories that come with that kind of swashbuckling.

One such memory involved us in a classroom with everyone seated in that classic U shape arrangement listening to one of my colleagues at the front of the room; another colleague and I were seated at the back observing. As we were whispering to each other (which I will admit can be rude), a person close to us turned and said, "You're judging us aren't you?"

There was a moment of confusion and then I looked at her and said, "No we aren't". Then I motioned for her to pay attention to the front, looked back at my colleague, and stopped whispering (well for a little while at least) — again I will reiterate the whispering was a little rude. I will never forget the question though (or the concern that could be heard in her voice).

Now fast forward a little more than a decade when just last week I was talking to a Millennial about his website; when I asked for the web address he said sure, and then went onto ask me not to be "judgy". 

I think maybe it's time for some clarification, and to set the record straight when it comes to me.

For the record —

• Of all the generations I've worked with so far I like the Millennials the best. 
• I never judge when I'm having a discussion (or working) with Millennials — sadly, I wish I could say the same when it comes to Boomers.
• I'm not a "hater"; I don't "bully", and I'm generally not "mean".
• I'm respectful.
• I have opinions (and if I'm honest, more opinions than I have earned the right to have)
• I believe "candor" is important.

I think it's important to call out the last point because it's crucial to understand what candor is not. 

Candor is not "bullying", or being "judgy", or being a "hater", or any other word you decide to use when you don't like what is being said (or you disagree). If I candidly offer you constructive input and you say I'm being "judgy" or a "hater", et cetera, et cetera — well that's on you; not me.

I will always offer a safe and respectful place, and will not judge (or hate, or bully) — even when you don't like what I have to say.

That doesn't happen so much in the "real world" because as we all know, it's a "judgy" place.

Dedicated to L, R and A.

iamgpe

Fifty-seven and full of fucking advice...

Yesterday was my birthday and two things happened. The first was I got to spend a wonderful evening with my daughter and received well wishes from friends, and the second was I got to listen in on an interview. 

To the first point, and I believe this says it all, "I would like to say I am so blessed to have a wonderful family, and wonderful friends; I am so very grateful."

To the second point, I have a little more to say (this is not an aspect of being fifty-seven as it seems I've always had something to say). As part of my birthday celebrations, I found myself at one of my favourite "mobile office" spots crunching numbers, doing analysis and developing plans when two people sat down next to me and started to conduct an interview. As a quick aside, I would like to remind everyone that if you conduct a business meeting in a public place, people will be listening; sometimes they are just curious bystanders, but sometimes they may be competitors. I am just saying.

It was an interview for a sales position, with a woman who was looking to advance her career and the sales manager looking to fill a vacancy. They were both Millennials; the woman was on the tail end of the demographic and the sales manager was one of the first to hit the workforce. They seemed to be discussing an industry I was somewhat familiar with so I did what anyone in my position would do, I began to multitask. As my numbers started to take shape their interview progressed.

It was pretty standard stuff as interviews go and he was doing an average job. Since I have interviewed hundreds of people and hired at least seventy, I have earned the right to be a little "judgy". My interest was fading with the two beside me as my numbers started to speak to me; that was until the sales manager moved away from his standard interview format and started to expand on his philosophies, and thoughts on success. As their interview ended I fought the urge to turn to him and say, "You know, if I was your boss I would hire her and fire you. You are simply awful". 

I didn't say that of course because my business was in front of me. This is why I wanted to though.

• He openly criticized  team members that the rep would be working with.
• He was, in a very public forum, discussing details of the business, including sales territory size and quotas. Frankly, I don't know how they could justify a rep.
• He eluded to the expense account as a component of her compensation, and even went on to propose what salary she should ask for.
• He suggested that the work isn't really that demanding, and in the summer he played a fair bit of tennis, and worked less than thirty hours a week.

In all of this, his greatest sin in my mind was he made it clear he was a process guy, and although he would ensure that she got trained (and ticked the box), there was no indication of any competency development, career development, and what that meant for her. He was a people manager who obviously didn't really care about his people. Maybe this is just reflective of the collaborative nature of the Millennial, the new ways of doing things, and their belief they have it all figured out (which in fairness, sometimes they do). Maybe this is really more reflective that I'm into my fifty-eighth year and I just don't get it anymore; it is a youth culture after all.

I'm not sure that is it though because there is something important to remember, "I know what it is like to be young, but you don't know what it is like to be old."  In all of this, I am not suggesting that the sales representative and sales manager would not find their way. I am just suggesting though that having insight into experience and sage advice can sometimes make finding your way a little easier.

Go find someone who is at least fifteen years older than you and make them your mentor. In the case of the interview I witnessed, it would have helped the sales rep ask better questions and definitely helped the sales manager not say so many "stupid things." And one last thing, you can't use your parents, because although they love you, it doesn't mean they know what they are talking about.

There you have it, fifty-seven and full of fucking advice; if you are a Milliennial, go get a mentor.

iamgpe