Earlier this week we got reports of a newly released study by some psychologists that said that today's youth were way too narcissistic and it was the fault of the self-esteem movement.  Here's the lead from ABC News story titled "College Students More Narcissistic."

"Today's college students are more narcissistic and self-centered than their predecessors, according to a comprehensive new study by five psychologists who worry that the trend could be harmful to personal relationships and American society"

Today, Friday, the Christian Science Monitor weighed in with a more commentary-like piece called "Has Generation Y overdosed on self-esteem?" Here's the lead for that one.

"For some, a new study validates concerns of too much positive reinforcement of the young. Others say it lacks needed nuance."

Today's LA Times includes an article on the research, but from a special perspective.  It's by Neil Howe and William Strauss. They're the authors of the book Generations that described the generational cycle in American history and gave the name to most of the generations we talk about.  Their work is so influential that we often take their theories and nomenclature for granted. Here's a bit of what they had to say in an article called "Will the real Generation Y please stand up."

"IS THE NARCISSISM of young people a fearsome national problem? Absolutely, according to a new study by San Diego State psychology professor Jean Twenge. In a book published last year, "Generation Me," and a new report issued this week, Twenge draws a portrait of under-socialized young people fated to depression, self-destruction, violence and civic decay as they grow older.

Her study, "Egos Inflating Over Time," draws on 25 years of personality surveys that test youth for narcissism. Today's teenagers stand condemned for being more likely to agree with statements such as "I think I am a special person." The study's conclusions fuel endless negative media commentary on today's kids that will always find an audience — stories about crime, cheating, sexual license and celebrity worship.

But Twenge and others are wildly mistaken about the Millennial generation — those born since the early 1980s, which some persist in calling Generation Y. No matter what teens say on surveys, there is scant evidence that they act more selfishly. In fact, the trends in youth behavior support the opposite conclusion — namely, that Millennials have much greater regard for each other, their parents and the community than Gen X'ers or baby boomers had at the same phase of life."

My own experience and observation lead me to agree with Strauss and Howe.  But you can read these pieces and make up your own mind. Whatever you decide, supervising people is still a one-on-one activity.  You deal with each person as an individual, not as a member of some generation.

Wally Bock has helped people learn to be great bosses for more than a quarter century. His latest book, Performance Talk: The One-on-One Part of Leadership, makes learning key leadership principles almost effortless by teaching through a story and providing lists of resources for further growth.

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