A Message from Our CEO – June 2024

“If I was meant to be controlled, I would have come with a remote.”

--Gen Z to their parents

My son Jackson has a real job, but as a side-hustle, he helps me dig golden nugget news stories about work culture, generations, and emerging business trends. This month, literally every news story is a gold nugget. For example: middle managers are getting canned at an alarming rate (sorry young Gen Xers), Millennials are descending the corporate ladder with glee, and 30% of parents attend their Gen Z’s job interview. Wait, what? 30% of Gen Z’s parents attend their job interview?? I’m having a hard time putting my head around this. If you are a parent, or a hiring manager, drop me a note—I need to understand this. 

The one nugget I love comes from the Wall Street Journal regarding the complicated nature of phone etiquette in a multigenerational world. Is it proper to call someone without first alerting them with a text? Most young people say “no, that’s super annoying.” Most Boomers and Xers, on the other hand, consider unannounced phone calls a form of love language. But there is no “right” answer. Daniel Post Senning from the Emily Post Institute non-committedly comments, “I don’t think we’re going to land on one side of this issue or the other.” It’s a conundrum.

Actually, we don’t have to get all worked up. There is a solution—ask the person you are trying to communicate with their preference and respect their wishes. This shouldn’t be hard. But when you bring up the subject, you may want to text first to let them know you’re going to call.  

Hello? Anybody there? Bueller? 

Warren