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1-Page Summary of Becoming the Boss
The Millennial Generation: Getting to Know Y
Millennials will be the largest section of the US workforce by 2020. They’re self-expressive, technologically savvy, and diverse in their group orientation. However, they may face “millennial shaming” from older employees who consider them entitled and too much in need of constant feedback or validation.
The generations are grouped into four categories: traditionalists, baby boomers, Generation X and Generation Y. Traditionalists were born from 1922 to 1945; they’re loyal, cautious and frugal. Baby boomers were born from 1946 to 1964; they’re optimistic, youthful and fun-loving. They grew up in an era of rock ‘n’ roll, free love civil rights movements and women’s liberation. Generation X was born from 1965 to 1981; they’re independent, self-sufficient and technologically adept. Many GenXers grew up as latchkey kids because their parents worked long hours or got divorced so they had to look after themselves early on in life. The last group is the youngest generation called Generation Y that includes people who were born between 1982 and 2002; many GenYers have grown up with computers around them since a young age so technology comes naturally for them so it’s not surprising that many GenY members are bolder than older generations when it comes to taking risks.
You Inc.
In 1997, Tom Peters wrote an article called “The Brand Called You” for Fast Company magazine. It was about personal branding, which wasn’t really a thing back then. Millennials are comfortable marketing themselves and job-hopping to find the next great opportunity.
Branding is important in today’s business world. It helps you stand out from the crowd and be recognized for your skills. You can assess where you currently are with branding by finding out what people know about you, as well as what they think of you. Ask others to tell you specifically how they view your professional qualities, especially if there have been any criticisms that need to be addressed or things that need changing. Also, examine previous performance reviews or letters of recommendation to see how others describe your strengths and weaknesses. If necessary, use criticism constructively to improve yourself and show initiative when it comes to leadership positions; this will help set yourself apart from other employees who may not take on such roles themselves but instead wait for opportunities to come their way without taking action.”
People who are good leaders dress the part. They wear suits, because they want to look like a leader. If someone says something inappropriate about your age or appearance, ignore it and move on. However, if this keeps happening with different people in front of other people, you might need to address the issue head-on by asking that person not to do it again.
Your Online Presence
Employers are unlikely to hire you without meeting you in person. You should search for yourself online and monitor your image through free apps such as Google Alerts or Talkwalker Alerts. The top of your web searches should convey a professional image because seventy percent of employers have rejected candidates based on what they found from the Internet.
Delete any offensive comments or photos you put on social media. Ask your friends to do the same. Check your privacy settings frequently, and make sure that they’re set so that only people you know can see what you post. If necessary, get a fee-based service – such as BrandYourself or Reputation – to clean up your image online.
Depending on your industry’s norms, you may want to create a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest. Check out the LinkedIn profiles of leaders in your industry as a guide for creating yours. You should also consider using Twitter to further cement your reputation. Your name should be similar to how people know you or what you do professionally so that it is easily recognizable. It’s also important to use a professional photo on all social media sites so that others can recognize who they’re talking with online.
