eMail, eCommerce, eGov…iPad, iPhone, iTunes…mySpace, mySite, myBank…

35 years ago people began referring to the baby-boomers as the “me generation” because they were so focused on themselves as individuals. As it turns out, these people were right! For the boomers and generations that have followed, the culture has become me/my/i focused in an e-technology world.  e – i – me – my, Oh!

Individuals have become the center of the culture, customizing nearly every aspect of their lives based on principles of unlimited options, access and expression.

Where choice was once limited, it now seems limitless. I remember when there was only one kind of Coke, when water came from the tap, coffee was just coffee. Now there are endless soft-drink, water and coffee options, customizable to your liking. A big gulp here, a vitamin water, here a latte, there a skinny, caffeine-free, dark chocolate, mint cooler, everywhere choices, choices!

What was one service has become self-service. I remember when an attendant pumped the gas, cleaned the windows and collected my money.  Then we started pumping ourselves, then pay-at-the-pump. A swipe here, a scan there, here a nozzle, there a lift, everywhere a squeeze, turn to click and take your receipt.

Media that was once centrally controlled has become democratized. We used to plan activities around favorite TV shows. Today we watch what we want when we want to. Our living rooms have become theaters and film studios.  A cable here, a satellite there, here a download, there an upload, everywhere a stream, stream.

Not long ago, news was centrally controlled. Now everyone with a cell phone is a reporter and a photo journalist. A click, click here, a post, post there, here a blog, there a blog, everywhere a tweet, tweet.

Why is that in so many other aspects of life, the individual is given nearly unlimited autonomy to customize their interactions with the world, except at work?

It is because management culture–the expectations and rules of the organizational game that keep managers firmly in control–is outdated. We need a new culture of leadership that empowers employees, giving them options to customize their contributions, drawing out their strengths and creativity, rather than stifling them. A strength, strength here, a choice, choice there. Here a talent, there a skill, everywhere a creative whole human being!

e – i – me – my, Oh!!