Honest question: what have you learned from the younger people in your office? Do you tend to teach/guide more or learn more from them?

I intensely disagree with the often cited idea that "being raised on the Internet and technology" gives this generation any special advantages. Using instagram doesn't teach you how to market in it. Digital isn't the brain surgery some people like to make it out to be, such that it can't be easily learned by any generation. If anything I've seen the exact opposite - that having less exposure in traditional marketing channels has led to inferior, less well rounded marketing instincts. And frankly, a decline in the overall quality of the work.

I love managing millennials. They keep me up to date in trends and language and tech. I teach them how to improve their ideas and navigate different personalities

If you're not learning from them, you're not listening.

They have a different set of influencers and are more involved in different platforms. They also have different life experiences. I learn a lot by seeing how they view the world.

I’m finding there’s an art to providing cultural or historical context (and even advertising history context) without making myself sound like a dinosaur.

One reason I’m still around is I embraced, supported and listened to young people constantly as I rose up the ranks and as digital, social, mobile, etc gained prominence. I never held back a question if I didn’t know something. And I never poo-pooed on new media. I do miss the simpler old days. It honestly was more fun IMO but I get why we need to do what we do these days. There’s still plenty of places and new ways to have fun and make an impact. I do hate Tik Tok though. It’s brutally annoying.

Initially I found it to be frustrating, then after shifting my perspective and embracing what I perceived to be “weaknesses,” I found that I learned quite a bit. Not to paint with too broad of a brush, but they are observant, intelligent, quick to adapt, sharp & accurate with criticism. I still believe that there is an overall medicines to engage in “real and meaningful communication” on a personal level, but that is preference and also coming from a guy who still enjoys making real life phone calls to friends. In short, I try to guide without imposing my will, and learn by observing and asking (hopefully relevant) questions.

They have almost no resilience. That is one thing I have learned. You can’t expect them to bounce back from a loss, tough situation, etc. Lots of sooth saying required.

They are great for revising decks, photoshop, etc. fashion and music trends somewhat - but i keep current with that and have millennial kids. They a good with apps. I’m a producer - so mostly i’m teaching them production - from basics to specifics - whoever is interested in learning. My last intern got a gig at droga and my last assistant got a job at bbdo

Both... this was a generation that was raised on the Internet and technology they have a lot to teach us

If I interview another millennial with an issues platform or social advocacy perspective I might have to start my own shop. While interesting to get their perspective (sometimes it’s actually valuable) this year we’ve had more jr staffers refuse to work on clients because the client, sector or biz doesn’t align with their “personal values”. It’s Edelman - probably ground zero for empowered progressives - we shouldn’t have to justify helping clients solve problems though,
Particularly since most of our clients politics align with the left of center crowd

Actually, I find dealing with Millennials to be an interesting way to keep up with culture. Certainly, they are the people that embody the new, right wing liberalism, and instead of outwardly judging them for their snowflakery and the fear of values and ideas that frighten and threaten them, I make a note of it to better understand how the world is changing so that I can appear to adapt with it.

Snapchat. Fk.

They need guidance in general business culture. They do have strong ideas and opinions but not always right. They don’t know traditional channels and so, it’s an after thought. Doesn’t apply to me so therefore it doesn’t apply. But I do find them willing to learn and at least in my exposure, they highly value your feedback. They just don’t always follow it 😉 You can learn from them, not so much technology as I agree anyone can learn that. But how they use their channels and the value they put on it. You might be surprised. Ie. 24 year old told me he has an email account so he can sign up for things, like offers. Doesn’t communicate with his friends that way but I don’t either.

Both. Love the energy and optimism they bring to my team. They are also good about setting boundaries, eating healthy and exercise. Mostly I find I have to teach them how to navigate relationships and people dynamics.

When in the agency world, nothing good was learned from the young ones.

Both

As a freelancer I’ve also learned that these young people are my target. My age group is all CXO or out of the biz, so I gotta stay connected to the young guns who do the daily hiring, and want to take me with them as they rise up.

Both. They come in a little rough around the edges most times, and dont know internal process, systems, client nomenclature, and get coached up appropriately. At the same time, Twitch? I wouldnt know how the hell to use it if it wasnt for the youngsters in my group.

I’ve learned from them, yes, but I’ve really learned to be a better manager because they think differently than me. I had someone I used to manage tell me I was the perfect combination of “approachable and intimidating” - that it made her want to do her best. Best compliment I’ve ever received as a manager. This was after I realized that they didn’t have the advantages (or disadvantages) of agency training that I had. So I focused on improving my context as to why I was asking what I was asking, being a good listener and responding with thoughtful responses rather than reacting to their differences in instinct from mine.