When I first read that Gen Y’ers (like myself) may now be referred to as “bursty” workers, I wasn’t sure whether to feel proud or offended? The term still makes me raise an eyebrow, while at the same time feel explosive… like I’m BURSTING on to the work scene (or perhaps it could be the Red Bull that I’m currently enjoying).

In any sense, Holly Hoffman’s smart article, Generation Y: Not Slackers, Just Sprinters. You Know, “Bursty” analyzes a modern presentation by Stephen Collins, I Am Knowledge Worker 2.0, where he defines both “bursty” and “busy” workers – and all that they encompass.

Hoffman rephrases Collins’ thoughts:

“Bursty workers are what we often define ourselves as in the Gen Y set. We may not look like we’re doing work, but we are. We might be at a café, chatting with coworkers in other departments, on Twitter… all the while, we are collecting information in our minds. We’re generating ideas; we’re rolling them around in our heads, working out the kinks.”

So, does this confirm that I shouldn’t feel like a slacker because I’m currently checking my personal email, scouring YouTube for some potential blog video links, networking through my LinkedIn account, eating a piece of cake from a surprise Birthday party that we just had… while at the same time trying to produce a somewhat cohesive blog here? I think that I look/sound pretty busy, actually!

Hoffman goes on to write…

“Bursty workers are called such because they tend to have highly productive bursts in which the majority of their work gets accomplished. They don’t want to be at a desk very often. They can often do in 30 hours what a busy worker will accomplish in 40. They surf the Web, they don’t keep normal office hours, they place importance on connecting with other departments and companies outside of their own, and they don’t mind failure.”

So, the real question here is, will “bursty” and “busy” workers ever truly understand eachother? (Can’t we all just get along?) More importantly, I, along with Hoffman both came to the realization that our work “styles” have now been identified, and can hopefully be accepted as well as valued. I'd suggest that you strive for the same! Because at the end of the day (or at midnight, when you are still staring at your computer screen because your work just isn’t finished yet) – it is really key to complete your work, complete it successfully and with you best effort… and to balance your work-style with that of those around you (whether you deem yourself “bursty”, “busy” or “other”).

On that note, I’ll leave you with this statement from Holly Hoffman:

“A problem with Gen Y’s work ethic? It’s not Gen Y. And it’s not a problem.”

For more insightful articles about the work-place, careers, as well as other industry tips and tools – check out Experience’s section on Office Culture!

Photo by: David Sifry