I heard part of an interview the other day with a woman (I wish I knew her name, but I came into the interview late and left early) speaking about generation Y and the their view of how the work environment ought to be.  She indicated they want a fun environment that is flexible in terms of when they work and what they do.  They want to be valued and they want to be recognized for their accomplishments. (I believe the term she used was high-maintenance.)  She indicated that if those conditions weren’t quickly met, the gen y employee would leave.  With the baby boomer generation and gen x’ers nearing retirement, meeting the demands of the rising gen y workforce will be critical in the coming few years.

I have stewed on that since I listened.  It was engaging, intrigueing, and made me wonder just exactly how a lot of today’s companies would deal with that.  Then I started to think about how I personally would deal with it.  That leads me to today’s post.  

FIrst, I’d say all those things are within the realm of possibility with me.  It all sounds good.  I’d love to work in an environment like that.  But I guess if I’m the boss I’m asking what’s in it for me?  I see what’s in it for you, but what do I get out of it?

I’d have to say if you’re willing to work hard (I don’t mean just put in your hours, but really work hard and move the company forward) while you’re here, I’d be amenable to letting you take time off pretty much whenever you need it.  I also agree totally with celebrating your accomplishments (of course I’m talking about legitimate accomplishments that moved the business forward and not just celebrating because it’s the third Tuesday of the month.)  I’d love to have a fun work environment, and I’d say whether we have fun is pretty much up to you.  If you are doing your job, doing it well, there’s no reason we can’t laugh, play practical jokes, listen to music, have video game competitions, wear shorts to work, etc., etc.  But if you don’t get things done, I have no choice to assume those things are distracting you and I’ll have to set them aside until we regain our focus.

So for me, it all comes down to you.  If you make the world go around, you can write your own ticket with me.  It’s a give and take world.  If that’s what it takes from me to have you rock my world, count me in.  But that knife cuts both ways.  If I’m going to turn things upside down (at least at it relates to the “traditional” way of doing business, whatever that means,) you have to meet me at least half way.

So at the end of the day, I’m willing to provide just about any environment you want if we can still realize the goals and objectives of the business.  What it all comes down to is this:  I know what you want.  What I don’t know is what are you willing to sacrifice to get it?