In recent years, managers have faced a new challenge in the workplace: How to handle the new generation of workers known as millennials.
In a YouTube presentation, leadership expert Simon Sinek points out that too often, millennials are not fitting into the work setting, and it is through no fault of their own.
A motivational speaker and marketing consultant, Sinek is the author of four books, including “Leaders Eat Last.”
“I have yet to give a speech or have a meeting where someone doesn’t ask me the ‘millennial question,” he said.
Millennials, born 1984 and after frequently are deemed tough to manage and are accused of being entitled, narcissistic, self-interested, unfocused and lazy.
“Because they confound leadership so much, what is happening is leaders are asking millennials ‘what do you want?”
The response is that they are seeking to work for a company that has a purpose and they want to make an impact.
Sinek points to four basic points, including parenting, technology, impatience and environment.
“In the generation we call the millennials, too many of them grew up subject to, not my words, failed parenting strategies,” he said. “They were told they were special all of the time and they could have anything in life just because they wanted it.”
Many times, they got participation medals and received higher grades than they may have deserved because teachers didn’t want to deal with the parents.
Then, reality sets in. The individual graduates and is now thrust into the real world.
“In an instant, they find out they are not special, their moms can’t get them a promotion and you can’t have it just because you want it,” Sinek explains. “We have a generation with low self-esteem than previous generations.”
Ultimately, Sinek says these issues aren’t the fault of millennials.
Technology and social media addition are an issue. Social media are stirring excitement among millennials.
Social media and cell phones are addictive. Sinek notes the activity releases dopamine, just like gambling, smoking and other vices.
“You have an entire generation that has access to this addictive technology,”
Millennials have grown up in a world of immediate gratification. Can order something on Amazon today and have it tomorrow. Get movies and TV shows immediately.
“You don’t even have to learn social coping mechanisms everything you want you can have instantaneously,” Sinek noted.
However, as Sinek points out, there is no app for job satisfaction or relationships. They are slow, meandering and often messy processes and they take time.
When they aren’t having an immediate impact after just a few weeks on the job.
“This young generation needs to learn patience,” Sinek pointed out. “Things that really matter like love, job satisfaction and joy take time.”
Ultimately, millennials have to learn how to find a balance between life and technology.
“Quite frankly, it is the right thing to do,” Sinek concluded.
