Cool Place. Cool Projects. Cool People.

I think one of the dumbest arguments taking place in corporate America is the one about how hard it is to manage multiple generations in the workplace. I don’t get it. I’ve never understood it. You mean the reason you have a culture problem is because you have people in their twenties and people in their sixties working there? I don’t think so.

I truly believe that people want three things when they go to work…and I don’t care if you’re 22 just starting your career or 62 on the home stretch to retirement. I think people want a “Cool Place” with “Cool Projects” and “Cool People.”

Cool Place: There’s something about the company, the brand, the office, the product that makes them proud to work there.

Cool Projects: The work is engaging and rewarding, and they feel recognized for their contributions.

Cool People: The company doesn’t have any Assholes as leaders.

How do you know if your company is a Cool Place, with Cool Projects and Cool People? Ask your employees. You don’t even need to define it for them. Tomorrow, ask one of your employees, “Do you think this is a Cool Place, with Cool Projects and Cool People?” You might get some great feedback. You might get some great ideas. You might hear about things that need to change. Then change those things. You’re a leader.

A bad leader will never create a good culture. They will never create a good culture because they don’t know what it looks like because it isn’t important to them. A Cool Place with Cool Projects and Cool People is filled with leaders who are obsessed with creating a culture high-performers want to be a part of.

It’s possible. It really is. I’ve seen it. I worked at a Cool Place with Cool Projects and Cool People.