Posted on Jan 22, 2024

A Video About Millennial Managers Went Viral, And Now People Are Saying They're Actually "Wolves In Sheep's Clothing"

"They are fake friendly, watch you like a hawk, and just 'let things slide' until *they* have decided they had enough."

BuzzFeed Staff

They're "a force to be reckoned with," according to Forbes, because, unlike previous generations, millennials are unafraid of rebranding, adopting new technology, and changing how we define productivity. Which all sounds great, right? Well, maybe not.

Someone saying, "I love millennial drama"

In the clip, Rob feigns a video meeting between an anonymous employee and their seemingly supportive millennial manager who tells his employee not to work while out sick; encourages them to run quick errands during work; checks in on their mental health with regards to work, and more.

I relate to this video so bad. The way I will tell my Gen Z coworkers not to struggle and suffer just because people before them did. There’s so much useless anxiety that’s caused by people who are on a power trip. pic.twitter.com/3DtkHn12oo
— Imani ✨ (@OhHeyImani_) January 12, 2024

TikTok: @robdon567 / tiktok.com / Via Twitter: @OhHeyImani_

However, reactions to the viral video and conversation could not have been more different on Twitter. What previous responders called support and kindness, Twitter users labeled as "fake" and suggested managers with this style are truly wolves in sheep's clothing.

I’m a millennial who has had 3 millennial managers and I’d much rather work under gen x or a boomer. They are fake friendly, watch you like a hawk, and just “let things slide” until *they* have decided they had enough, then hit you with “you did xyz” at your performance review. https://t.co/rfn1rxa5LZ
— Figaro Newton 🍉 (@d_la_reina) January 13, 2024

TikTok: @robdon567 / tiktok.com / Via Twitter: @d_la_reina

"As a former supervisor, be careful with these types," one Twitter user wrote. "Many are not comfortable delivering uncomfortable news/coaching because they want to be seen as the 'cool, laidback boss.' They tell you one thing then run to their boss/HR with something else. They are not your friend."

As a former supervisor, be careful with these types.

Many are not comfortable delivering uncomfortable news/coaching because they want to be seen as the “cool, laid back boss.” They tell you one thing then run to their boss/HR with something else. They are not your friend. https://t.co/Et11iKOoNI
— Dimitrius Jones (@iDimitriusJones) January 13, 2024

TikTok: @robdon567 / tiktok.com / Via Twitter: @iDimitriusJones

As people shared their own personal experiences with seemingly understanding and "cool" millennial managers, they said vague expectations and a lack of communication about underperformance was common — until their job was in jeopardy.

This was my experience (until I left 🙂).

It’s extremely stressful not knowing what your manager truly feels about your performance & then months later being evaluated harshly on the same things they said were OK to do.
— Ugona👩🏽‍💻 | Health IT (@ugotechie) January 13, 2024

Twitter: @ugotechie

"These types of managers are the worst," this user wrote. "They create a false sense of warmth, and niceness, and a put-yourself-at-ease type of vibe, and if you fall for it, they'll literally stab you in the back when you'll least expect it."

These type of managers are the worst. They create a false sense of warmth, and niceness, and a « put yourself at ease » type of vibe, and if you fall for it they’ll literally stab you in the back when you’ll least expect it. Be very wary of them, they are as sneaky as they come. https://t.co/FNr2OAQwNO
— Oroma Baby (@MoussouKaryn) January 15, 2024

TikTok: @robdon567 / tiktok.com / Via Twitter: @MoussouKaryn

Reading through these warnings, a few users chimed in to stick up for the stigmas being placed on millennial managers, suggesting that while they may be more lax, their faults are incomparable to those of older generations.

The most recent manager I had (also millennial) was like the one you said. She was fake, never gave consistent feedback, and was never forthright in communication. And once we got to performance reviews she had a lot to say and made sure to have it documented against me… 2/2.
— NOIVAS. (@noivaswright) January 14, 2024

Twitter: @noivaswright

"My favorite managers have been millennials," user @jackofallgames7 wrote. "Boomers don't care about job development 'cause no one helped them because the market needed workers. Gen X can be good or bad, but majority of the time they like being your 'boss' [more] than your support system."

My favourite managers have been millennials.

Boomers don’t care about job development cos no one helped them because the market needed workers.

Gen X can be good or bad, but majority of the time they like being your “boss” than your support system.
— jackofallgames (@jackofallgames7) January 14, 2024

Twitter: @jackofallgames7

these are the managers i trust the absolute LEAST lmfao. gimme the gen x manager who doesn’t care whether i live or die as long as the work is done properly fr https://t.co/H0chi38FGl
— 2Karious Donell Johnson (@shayxonline) January 14, 2024

TikTok: @robdon567 / tiktok.com / Via Twitter: @shayxonline

Gen X is this kind of terrible too in my experience. 😬 I prefer the Boomers who just hate you up front. 🤣
— Lele Elizabeth (@Lele_Elizabeth) January 13, 2024

Twitter: @Lele_Elizabeth

Boomers are awful unless they are about to retire. Gen X are the real ones.
— Tyffi Boo 🍓 (@TyffiBoo) January 13, 2024

Twitter: @TyffiBoo

Gen X is my preference. They set very high and clear expectations and have a path to get back on track. No fake nice. And are quick to tell you why they said no.
— Capitalize the 'B' in Black (@MsAliciaLove) January 13, 2024

Twitter: @MsAliciaLove

Gen X > Boomer > Millennial

My shortest tenures have been under millennials. 🥴
— SomerTimeFine (@dearsomer_) January 13, 2024

Twitter: @dearsomer_

I have to agree, I don't like Gen X/Boomer managers at all but at least I know IMMEDIATELY when I've pissed them off or missed a target. Millennial managers walk with you to the bus stop, throw you in front of the bus (never mind under it), and then have HR say you offed yourself
— ᵀÎᴳᴿ³ˢᴬ (@iamtigr3sa) January 14, 2024

Twitter: @iamtigr3sa

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A Video About Millennial Managers Went Viral, And Now People Are Saying They're Actually "Wolves In Sheep's Clothing"

Within the last decade, millennials have led companies, offices, and employees of both older and younger generations.

Recently, TikToker robdon567, who is known for posting first-person skits on the platform, shared a video called, "POV: You Have a Millennial Manager."

On TikTok — where the audience notably skews younger — commenters mostly said millennial managers are preferred. One person shared, "I have a millennial manager and I work SO much harder because she makes me feel supported. Good management fosters good work without the anxiety!"

"This is my manager," another added, comparing their manager to the one in robdon567's video. "And I'd go to war for him."

Even older employees agreed. "I'm 50 and had a millennial manager," this commenter said. "He was BY FAR the best manager I'd ever had!"

However, reactions to the viral video and conversation could not have been more different on Twitter. What previous responders called support and kindness, Twitter users labeled as "fake" and suggested managers with this style are truly wolves in sheep's clothing.

"As a former supervisor, be careful with these types," one Twitter user wrote. "Many are not comfortable delivering uncomfortable news/coaching because they want to be seen as the 'cool, laidback boss.' They tell you one thing then run to their boss/HR with something else. They are not your friend."

As people shared their own personal experiences with seemingly understanding and "cool" millennial managers, they said vague expectations and a lack of communication about underperformance was common — until their job was in jeopardy.

"These types of managers are the worst," this user wrote. "They create a false sense of warmth, and niceness, and a put-yourself-at-ease type of vibe, and if you fall for it, they'll literally stab you in the back when you'll least expect it."

Reading through these warnings, a few users chimed in to stick up for the stigmas being placed on millennial managers, suggesting that while they may be more lax, their faults are incomparable to those of older generations.

"My favorite managers have been millennials," user @jackofallgames7 wrote. "Boomers don't care about job development 'cause no one helped them because the market needed workers. Gen X can be good or bad, but majority of the time they like being your 'boss' [more] than your support system."

And thus started the debate between boomers, Gen X, and millennials. Here are some of the most viral takes:

Now I need to know your opinions. In your experience, would you prefer a manager who belonged to the millennial, Gen X, or boomer generation? Let us know your answer and why in the comments.

A Video About Millennial Managers Went Viral, And Now People Are Saying They're Actually "Wolves In Sheep's Clothing"

Within the last decade, millennials have led companies, offices, and employees of both older and younger generations.

Recently, TikToker robdon567, who is known for posting first-person skits on the platform, shared a video called, "POV: You Have a Millennial Manager."

On TikTok — where the audience notably skews younger — commenters mostly said millennial managers are preferred. One person shared, "I have a millennial manager and I work SO much harder because she makes me feel supported. Good management fosters good work without the anxiety!"

"This is my manager," another added, comparing their manager to the one in robdon567's video. "And I'd go to war for him."

Even older employees agreed. "I'm 50 and had a millennial manager," this commenter said. "He was BY FAR the best manager I'd ever had!"

However, reactions to the viral video and conversation could not have been more different on Twitter. What previous responders called support and kindness, Twitter users labeled as "fake" and suggested managers with this style are truly wolves in sheep's clothing.

As people shared their own personal experiences with seemingly understanding and "cool" millennial managers, they said vague expectations and a lack of communication about underperformance was common — until their job was in jeopardy.

"These types of managers are the worst," this user wrote. "They create a false sense of warmth, and niceness, and a put-yourself-at-ease type of vibe, and if you fall for it, they'll literally stab you in the back when you'll least expect it."

Reading through these warnings, a few users chimed in to stick up for the stigmas being placed on millennial managers, suggesting that while they may be more lax, their faults are incomparable to those of older generations.

"My favorite managers have been millennials," user @jackofallgames7 wrote. "Boomers don't care about job development 'cause no one helped them because the market needed workers. Gen X can be good or bad, but majority of the time they like being your 'boss' [more] than your support system."

And thus started the debate between boomers, Gen X, and millennials. Here are some of the most viral takes:

Now I need to know your opinions. In your experience, would you prefer a manager who belonged to the millennial, Gen X, or boomer generation? Let us know your answer and why in the comments.

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