Gen Y Now: Millennials and the Evolution of Leadership, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER ONETHE PLATFORM IS BURNING

Sam started with Walter Manufacturing right out of high school. He wanted to attend college, but he didn’t have enough for tuition and he needed to earn money to support his future family. Shortly after joining the company, he married his high school sweetheart.

As with all new hires, Sam was on the maintenance crew and was assigned some of the most difficult and dirty jobs in the plant. The plant worked three shifts, and all new maintenance employees were required to work rotating shifts for at least three years.

While the work was hard, Sam was eager to learn and take on more and more responsibility. He was always asking, “What’s next?” and was never afraid to take on a new challenge or assignment. In fact, Sam often stayed late to make sure his work was properly transitioned to the next shift.

After “putting in his time” on the maintenance crew, Sam’s hard work and dedication were rewarded and he received his first promotion. Fast forward many years and Sam is still at Walter Manufacturing. He’s progressed steadily, taken on many roles and is currently a general foreman. In addition to his steady rise in the company, Sam found time to go back to school and earn a bachelor’s degree.

Back to the Future

If we were to tell you Sam’s story was from 1975 you would easily believe it. There were a lot of Sams in 1975. Maybe you have not seen many lately. Well, Sam is thirty-five and has worked at the same place his entire life. He is a real person, ...