Swag Is Not Enough: Career Advice for the Serious Millennial

By Alana D. Wyche and Keith R. Wyche

Welcome to the world of being a "millennial". You are part of the most talked about, written about, and yet least understood generation in modern history! You were able to program a VCR and television remote control before you could speak. You were taught using the latest technology, distance learning, and online classes. Socially, you embraced social media and social networking when most of the adult world couldn't spell Google or Twitter. And yet, you find yourself misunderstood at best, and marginalized at worst.

However, the reality is, that millennials possess some of the most innovative, and creative minds in the workplace. Unlike previous generations who adhered to militaristic hierarchies, "me too" group think, and chose to "live to work", you have decided that organizational layers create unproductive barriers, "group think" stifles creativity, and that living to work leads to burnout. In your world, your job is an extension of who you are. Your co-workers are an extension of your social network, and you choose to "work to live" so that you can enjoy all life has to offer!

But in reality, you have a real problem. Most of todays leaders are from another time and place. Your bosses are baby-boomers or Gen-Xers (think Baby-boomer wannabes), and in some cases, "Traditionalists" (think Grandma and Grandpa). They can't seem to understand why you act and think how you do? They struggle to see you as equals in decision-making, and can be intimidated by your grasp of technology. But until you are running the organization, you MUST learn how to work with, through and beside them.

This book serves to enhance your ability to succeed by exploring common myths and perceptions regarding Millennials. You will see yourselves through the eyes of others, to better understand and ultimately overcome these misperceptions. Additionally, it will force you to look at yourself in the mirror to uncover some of your "blind-spots" and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Written by a Millennial with editorial insights by her Baby-boomer father, the hope is that after reading "Swag Is Not Enough", you will be armed with insights and lessons to take your career to new heights.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504964111

Alana D. Wyche

Alana Wyche is freelance writer and communications professional with more than six years’ experience in the media industry. She previously served as a production manager at Black Enterprise-TV where she oversaw the logistics for nationally syndicated television programming for the company’s broadcast division. Wyche received a B.A. in Communication, cum laude from the University of Toledo. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Keith Wyche is a results driven, no-nonsense executive with more than 30 years experience in the corporate world at such companies such as AT&T, IBM and Pitney-Bowes. Most recently as President, he turned around Cub Food and Acme Markets and led them to growth. As a nationally recognized public speaker, Wyche has delivered keynotes to such organizations as Harvard University, Target, Kraft Foods, Dell, GE, and more. Wyche’s first book, Good Is Not Enough: And Other Unwritten Rules for Minority Professionals (published by Portfolio, a division of Penguin Random House), was an Amazon bestseller, and was nominated for the 2009 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work. His 2013 book, Corner Office Rules: The 10 Realities of Executive Life, (Kandelle Enterprises) opens the door to the often hidden world of the C-suite.

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© 2016 Alana D. Wyche; Keith R. Wyche. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Published by AuthorHouse 01/07/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5049-6412-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-6413-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-6411-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015919741

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1: CEO of Me, Inc.

Managing Your Career Like an MVP

We Are Witnesses

Lead Your Value: Claim Your Throne of Success Before You Rock the Crown

Lead Your Value: You Must Make Me Me Me Decisions

Lead Your Network: Align Yourself with Agents of Change

Five Qualities of Agents of Change

The Baby Boomer’s Reaction: Who Are These Kids?

Advice to Millennials

Advice to Boomers

Chapter 2: Brand It Like Beyoncé

Realities of Making Your Professional Brand Marketable

Welcome to the Beyoncé Experience

So What’s Your Brand DNA?

Performance: Deliver Results; Drive Innovation!

Performance Is Power

How to Tap into Your Inner Intrapreneur

Exposure: Find Someone to Help #UpgradeU

Who’s Wearing Your T-shirt?

Mentors and Sponsors: You Must Have Them

How to Find a Mentor

Perception: Leave a Lasting Impression That Says I Was Here

Do You Know How Others See You?

How to Minimize Perception Gaps

The Baby Boomer’s Reaction: Your Brand Can Make or Break You

Advice to Millennials

Advice to Boomers

Chapter 3: Safeguarding a Scandal-Free Image

Because Olivia Pope Can’t Save You

Five Reasons Some Millennials Go Rogue

Five Ways to Stay on P.O.I.N.T.

Performance Boundary Principle: Showing Up Is Not Enough

Online Boundary Principle: Keep Your Private Persona Invisible Online

Individual Boundary Principle: Know Your Limits

No-Go Boundary Principle: Don’t Break the Career Commandments

Taking Accountability Boundary Principle: The Right Way to Repair a Ruined Reputation

The Baby Boomer’s Reaction: Image, What Others Think of You Matters

Advice to Millennials

Advice to Boomers

Chapter 4: Good Is Still Not Enough

Don’t Let Complacency Kill Your Career

How the Comfort Zone of Complacency Becomes Dangerous

Detouring from the Danger Zone of Mediocrity

When In Doubt, Just W.O.W.

Purpose-Identifying Questions

The Baby Boomer’s Reaction: Your A-game, Never Leave Home without It!

Advice to Millennials

Advice to Boomers

Chapter 5: Don’t Get Caught in the Catfish Culture

Social Media Does Not Replace Social Interaction

Millennials Interrupted

Rise of the Corporate Catfish Culture

You Can’t Filter a Poor Personality

How to Sharpen Your Soft Skills

The Baby Boomer’s Reaction: I Thought Catfish Was Something You Eat

Advice to Millennials

Advice to Boomers

Chapter 6: So You Want to Be a Boss

Learn How to Be a Leader First

Old School Career Advancement

Case Study: Career Advancement in the Millennial World

Work Habits That Work in Your Career Advancement Favor

More Rules for Connecting Like a Rock Star

The Baby Boomer’s Reaction: It’s Not Your Father’s Workplace

Advice to Millennials

Advice to Boomers

Chapter 7: Stir Up Start-up Success

Tips for Turning Your Passion into Profits

Top Factors Fueling Aspiring Millennial Moguls

Common Mistakes That Sabotage Our Start-up Success

Boss Moves Tips from Dana Brownlee

A Millennial Mogul Making It Happen

The Baby Boomer’s Reaction: Do Your Thing!

Advice to Millennials

Advice to Boomers

Chapter 8: If I Knew Then What I Know Now

A Conversation with My Twentysomething Self

Enjoy the Journey

I

dedicate this book to my heroes (my parents), Keith and Denise.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First and above anyone else, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to achieve one of my life-long dreams. Next, I want to thank my father for being such an amazing visionary and allowing me to join him on his journey to empower others. Dad, you are by far my greatest mentor; and I appreciate all of the wisdom and love you’ve sown in my life.

To my mother, thank you for being a champion of your children. Mommy, thank you for always reminding me whose child I am. Your unwavering love, support, and pushing has helped me realize that yes, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. To my second mom and dad, Carla and Floyd, I love you both more than words can express. I am truly grateful to have you in my life. I wouldn’t be the woman I am today, if not for having you as two of my biggest cheerleaders.

To my siblings, Ang, Kev, and Kyle, I love you dearly and I’m so proud of you all! Thanks for always having my back and holding me down! To my awesome family (far too many names to list), please know that I love, love, love you with all of my heart and appreciate you for always celebrating me. To my inner circle, Natasha, Kali, Dawn, Ashley, Adrienna, DeShawn, Kim, Cherisse, Kelsey, and Damian, thanks for being my closest friends and confidants. You inspire me so much!

Lastly, to all of my brilliant mentors, thank you for influencing my career: Audrey, Phyllis, Michelle, Pernether, Angie, Xavier, Andrew, Sonia, Caroline, Shannon, Chandra, Jessica, Robin, Darryl, Karen, Valerie, John, Genevieve, Monique, LaShana, LaToya, Imaeyen, Alfred, Kristen, Kirsten, Kimberly, Jodi, LaNee, Lisa, and Martha.

INTRODUCTION

It seems like only yesterday you were playing with your Sony PlayStations, holding your Cabbage Patch dolls, and loading your profiles onto MySpace. Now you are educated, employed, and energetic working professionals looking to make a difference in the world. However, it appears, in some circles, you are not understood, often underestimated, and seldom fully utilized for the value you can provide.

Welcome to the world of being a millennial. You are part of the most talked about, written about, and yet least understood generation in modern history. You were able to program a VCR and television remote control before you could speak. You were taught using the latest technology, distance learning, and online classes. You embraced social media and networking when most of the adult world couldn’t spell Google or Twitter. And yet you find yourself misunderstood at best and marginalized at worst.

However, in reality, millennials possess some of the most innovative and creative minds in the workplace. Unlike previous generations who adhered to militaristic hierarchies and the me too group thinks and chose to live to work, you have decided that organizational layers create unproductive barriers, group think stifles creativity, and living to work leads to burnout. In your world your job is an extension of who you are, your coworkers are a broadening of your social network, and you choose to work to live so you can enjoy all life has to offer.

But in reality you have a serious problem. Most of today’s leaders are from another time and place. Your bosses are baby boomers or Gen Xers (baby boomer wannabes) and, in some cases, traditionalists (Grandma and Grandpa). They can’t seem to understand why you act and think how you do. They struggle to see you as equals in decision-making, and your grasp of technology can intimidate them. But until you are running the organization, you must learn how to work with, through, and beside them.

This book serves to enhance your ability to succeed by exploring common myths and perceptions regarding millennials. You will see yourselves through the eyes of others to better understand and ultimately overcome these misperceptions. Additionally it will force you to look at yourself in the mirror to uncover some of your blind spots and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

A millennial with editorial insights by her baby boomer father wrote Swag Is Not Enough and hopes, after reading, you will be armed with insights and lessons to take your career to new heights.

The true lesson, however, lies in the ability of humankind to truly embrace and recognize the power of diversity of thought and to recognize that everyone, by virtue of his or her unique backgrounds and experiences, brings a valuable and unique perspective to the organization. Perspectives, if they are embraced, can help drive innovation, productivity, and, ultimately, profit.

Finally we are to accept that embracing diversity is not enough. To truly harness its potential, diversity needs to be coupled with inclusion and equality. Diversity only invites you to the party. Inclusion gives you a seat at the table; equality provides you with the same opportunities for success that are provided to others. Without inclusion and equality, you will come to the party hungry and leave the festivities unsatisfied.

Chapter 1

CEO of Me, Inc.

Managing Your Career Like an MVP

As counterintuitive as it might seem, there is no better time for millennials to begin to plan and navigate their careers than the present. While undoubtedly our career journey will have many twists, turns, starts, and stops, embarking on such a journey without planning is akin to taking a long road trip without a map or at least an intended destination. The old saying says, If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will lead you there.

But unlike our Gen X and baby boomer parents and grandparents, we aren’t beholden to a prescribed career plan, industry, company, or even discipline. While our elders focused more on the destination, we millennials want to make sure we enjoy the journey. It’s not all about the title, salary, or position on the organization chart. Job fulfillment for our generation comes from being actively engaged in helping shape the vision; having a voice in day-to-day decision-making; receiving acknowledgement for our contribution; and enjoying our