I was on the front end of the millennial generation entering the workforce, and many managers at that time didn’t exactly know “what” we were all about.  This book gives so much attention to learning about my generation.  It’s great to see how much research went into this book. 

As opposed to being told, “get a job,” the section that encourages folks to ask themselves questions to determine what they want to do, was enlightening.  How to choose a fulfilling career is not taught or discussed enough.  My dad used to joke that whatever industry you started in would most likely be the industry you will be in for your entire career, so pick wisely.  However, I’ve heard other folks say, “get a job to get experience.”  Asking these questions throughout your career and life, will be helpful.  Doing some soul-searching along the way will help keep you from finding yourself stuck in a job or industry you don’t like.  Asking these questions after significant life events (getting married, having children) could help identify needed changes.

Something else important I learned from the book, is the reasoning behind how older generations have developed their way of thinking.  Having a better understanding could have helped me when I asked for my first raise (just because I was there for a year, I thought I “deserved” it).  My manager at that time acknowledged my hard work, and that they were pleased with me.  He then asked me if I would like him to ask his boss if he should give me a raise, even though the company was not doing well at that time.  He got his point across without beating me up.  I think back and realize he didn’t say what he probably wanted to say.  If he did, I would have been depressed and had less productivity.  The discussion on how and when Millennials should approach conversations with their superiors about advancement and compensation was helpful.

I am very excited to be a part of a generation that values a balanced work/life balance!  The workplace, unfortunately, sometimes looks down on that phrase.  The book discusses how Millennials can approach this topic in interviews and gives some options on how to use words that other generations will respond to positively.  I feel like the minute a Traditionalist or Boomer hears the phrase “work-life balance,” they prejudge what is about to be said or discussed, or possibly the person.  What Millennials are saying is, “we as Millennials have experienced first-hand, as children and young adults, what happens when work becomes more of a focus than having a healthy personal life.”

Lastly, the info to help Millennials who are currently in organizations that are managed in an authoritarian manner by a Boomer or Traditionalist was helpful.  Lots of people will benefit from the advice on what to do if their firm continues to be successful with this approach, thereby never seeing a need to change.  Do you get out sooner rather than later?  If your firm mainly motivates by money, how do leaders learn there are other ways to reward and get intended behavior, beyond money?

Ross