Summary
At 45, working in tech with 20-somethings is a fascinating daily adventure. Watching them fly on their iPhones — and then struggle to open a basic spreadsheet on a MacBook — has taught me a lot about how different our tech instincts are. Today, I’m reflecting (with a little humor) on this curious trend, and why mentoring — not mocking — is the way forward.
The iPhone Wizards of the Office
Let’s give credit where it’s due: these younger colleagues are absolute wizards with their iPhones.
They can edit a video, post to five social media platforms, reply to a dozen group chats, and order coffee — all before I finish typing an email.
(And I type really fast.)
Their thumbs move at speeds that should qualify for Olympic events. It’s genuinely impressive.
But the real magic show starts when you hand them a MacBook.
Suddenly, the wizards turn into confused tourists in a foreign land — pecking at keyboards, hunting for files, and somehow taking ten minutes to format a Google Doc.
The Great MacBook Mystery
Here’s the hilarious part:
They type at lightning speed on their phones…
but on a MacBook?
They type like they’re being charged per keystroke.
- Finding a file? Might need a treasure map.
- Keyboard shortcuts? Sound like ancient folklore.
- Managing three apps at once? Cue the spinning beachball of doom — in their eyes and on their screen.
Meanwhile, they swear they’re “faster” using their phones.
Bless their hearts.
Why Phones Feel Faster (But Actually Slow Things Down)
I get why they think that. Phones are designed to feel frictionless.
- They’re familiar — practically an extra limb.
- Apps are spoon-fed in tiny, satisfying bites.
- Notifications reward you like a slot machine win.
But when it comes to real work —
the kind that involves big documents, serious emails, spreadsheets that don’t fit on a 6-inch screen —
phones turn into tiny, frustrating productivity prisons.
It’s like trying to build Ikea furniture… with salad tongs.
It’s Not About Blame — It’s About Bridging the Gap
This isn’t a roast session.
(Okay, maybe a light sizzle.)
The truth is, they just haven’t been taught proper “computer literacy” beyond opening TikTok faster than I can say “Steve Jobs.”
It’s not their fault.
It’s how the tech world raised them.
What they need isn’t sarcasm. It’s mentorship — offered with patience and maybe a few MacBook shortcuts tattooed to their desks.
- Show them why organizing files matters.
- Teach them the black magic of Command+C and Command+V.
- Help them see that real productivity feels less like frantic tapping — and more like smooth, silent control.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone skills ≠ Workplace tech skills.
- Phones feel fast but are slow for real work.
- Instead of eye-rolls, offer teaching moments — they’ll thank you (eventually).
Final Thought
There’s real power in blending their natural agility with deeper professional skills.
If we mentor instead of mock, we don’t just make them better — we make the whole team stronger, faster, and (hopefully) a little less reliant on tiny keyboards.
After all, real magic happens when energy meets experience.
(And when someone finally learns to use Command+Tab without fear.)
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