JephMaystruck.com

Yeah we get it, everything we do is marketing ourselves yadda yadda yadda.  But what do you do in awkward situations where there is a bit of tension built up?  You know, those situations where it could end up good or bad?  How do you get the other person on your side and trusting you?

Joke around with them.  Humor relaxes people and says “hey, I’m not nearly as bad as you think I am”.

Example 1: I play hockey, I usually hate refs in hockey, I usually yell at refs in hockey, not this time.  For the first time ever in my life that I can remember, while sitting in the penalty box, quite angry at the ref to say the least, he made a joke about what I did to get the penalty.  I had no choice to laugh and to start liking him.

Example 2: The Pastor at my church has a great sense of humor, after the service you can’t help but smile and laugh with him while he makes his remarks as everyone is leaving the sanctuary.  You feel a different connection with him because he makes you laugh.

You don’t have to be a comedic sensation, that’s not what I’m after, but if you can smile and make a comment that gets a laugh out of me, we’re already connecting on a different level.  A more humorous, enjoyable, trusting level.

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I consider myself a part of “the new” generation.

Tell us to go somewhere and we won’t go.

Tell us to watch something and we’ll turn off the TV.

Tell us to wear something and we’ll choose to go naked.

Tell us to do it your way and we’ll find a better way.

Tell us to be a part of something and we’ll avoid it with all costs.

Tell us we can make more money doing it your way and we’ll go volunteer somewhere else.

Tell us “this is the norm” and we’ll disagree, we have our own norm.

Tell us to believe in something and we’ll make up our own belief’s, because we can.

Give us the opportunity to be innovative and creative, and we’ll surprise you every time with what we can do.

How are you managing the new generation; by telling or by giving?

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Recently I have been asking a lot of people how they like their job and it didn’t surprise me that the vast majority said they were unsatisfied.  The more I asked, poked and prodded about their career, the more positive it became.  Then it dawned on me, sure there are some better careers than others, but our generation enjoys complaining.  Let me explain.

If you have what most people would call a “boring” job (accounting, office job, the majority of the crown corporations) you probably have great security and make an above average wage.  You complain about how board you are at work because they block you from using Facebook and Twitter but your paid four weeks of holidays and have “earned days off” so it’s worth it for now.

If you have what most people would call an “amazing” job (entrepreneur, creative director, manager at a small company) you probably have great flexibility and actually enjoy the majority of the work.  You complain about how you’re underpaid and how it must be nice to collect a check every two weeks.  You struggle but your passionate and an office job just isn’t your style.

So why must we always complain?  Our generation is never satisfied, we want the greener grass and the internet has only made it easier to see the grass, touch it, tweet about it and then determine if we like it or not.  Is their a solution?  It’s an opinion so let me know if you disagree.

You need to stop comparing yourself to others.  If you tell me how much money you make it’s because your job sucks and thats the only good thing about it, save it, I don’t care.  Instead of comparing and complaining ever try making your job better?  Possibly making work “fun” for a change?  I know sounds weird doesn’t it.

Finally, I think managers in general need training on the “generation Y” employee; their expectations, their motivations and what they want out of life.  Complaining gets you no where, start thinking of innovative solutions to making your job better, what have got to lose?

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There is a man who lives in my city, I’ve seen him around for quite some time now but anytime I say hello or talk to him it’s like he doesn’t have the time of day and saying hello to me is a burden.  He’s an asshole.  I questioned my friend that knows him much better than I do and he said the same thing, “Yup, definitely an asshole.”  So it’s confirmed, he is in fact an asshole.  Maybe he doesn’t mean to (highly unlikely), maybe I come off the same way to him (I’m a smiler so highly unlikely) so why does he do it?   I think some people are just not happy people, they don’t want to meet anyone else, they’re satisfied with their friend circle and yes maybe saying a cheery HI, HOW ARE YA!?!? to me is a burden.

But wait, there is a silver lining to my cloudy relationship with this asshole.  Recently I heard he started his own company.  HIS OWN COMPANY?  An asshole trying to make it as a business owner?  I had to see for myself and low and behold when I checked online he did start a company.  Personally I have no idea how he is going to make it, especially in a city this size where the word gets around so fast.  I know I won’t support his business.

Here’s a free tip to any entrepreneur:  Don’t be an Asshole.

I’m sure you’re not and don’t ever plan to be but in our fast paced society the little things matter, smile at people, say hi once in a while, it’s not that hard.  And for you budding entrepreneurs, meet people, talk to them, remember there name.  The person I know that has the most “social capital”, knows the most people and is doing quite well for himself has done two things and continues to do them extremely well.

1.  Remembers every persons name he meets (well pretty close and if he forgets I’ve seen even him find the name).

2.  Makes other people feel like they are the most important people in the world.

Not difficult right?  Try it out for yourself, you’ll be amazed at what can happen.  So don’t be an asshole, it’ll get you much further in life.  The more positive of a person you are the more people want to talk and associate with you, a smart strategy for any entrepreneur.

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