Millennials at Work, Are We the Problem?

So you just started your new job; or your first job and you spent a while –say weeks- working but you feel like there is something missing? You’re working and you’re happy; however, you still feel like you might want to quit or give it up? You feel like “this is not what you’re meant for” or “you’re not making an impact”… you might have been there yourself, if not, then someone you know.

So what does it actually mean to “make an impact”? What is it about millennials that makes dealing with workplaces so different? How are they perceived in the workplace and are they wrong with the way of acting towards working life? 

This is exactly what Simon Sinek, Optimist, speaker and author of “Start with why”, discussed in one of his interviews. You can watch the discussion here: https://goo.gl/rYFVMG

The thing about millennials that makes them never comfortable with where they are or what they are doing is tied to multiple different factors, and most of them are not even their fault, based on Sinek’s discussion. However, they deserve to know the reasons keeping them from being happy with what they’re currently doing, and even keeping them from noticing achievements. Sinek called those factors; “missing pieces” that millennials today feel affected by. The first one being parenting, the way this generation is brought up in general, such as, getting an A in school not because it’s earned, but because someone’s mother came to school and fought with a teacher so that they can get it. Being told they are special, that they are great, nearly all the time, without us trying hard or doing something special, they are just brought up thinking that they are. Up until being done with college, they are receiving awards and recognition that is not deserved just because there is an ability to get it easy.  

The second factor or ‘missing piece’ that affecting behavior and emotion is technology; getting everything so easy, and through technology, millennials do not need to work hard to do anything, for example, the basic human interaction that they are now less capable of properly achieving. Being kept away from having ‘deep, meaningful relationships’ because of technology, everything is accessible today throughout one single piece of device; smartphones. There are filters on everything, people seem  happy while they are not, they seem to know everything while they actually don’t; escaping stress by burying themselves in their phones, and scrolling through social media pages where they receive temporary feelings of happiness and relief. With this in mind, comes the third factor or ‘missing piece’ that is, impatience. Millennials are receiving instant gratification on nearly everything they please; there are even dating apps now! Even the basic ways of creating or starting a relationship is now only a swipe of a finger away. However, this does not, and will never apply on things such as meaningful, deep human relationships, life achievements and job fulfillment, these are things people need to learn how to work for and earn. These are things that people create.   

On the bright side - somehow - those ‘missing pieces’ that are hindering millennials are not really a fault of their own, Sinek explains, they are a result of the environment they are living in and the changes occurring around them. But does that mean that they shall go with the flow saying;” it is the environment that made us the way we are now.” Or shall they fight to create a better version of themselves so they can prevail? 

“Before thinking of ‘making an impact’ think of it this way; what you want to achieve is the summit, and to reach that summit, there is a mountain you have to climb first. If you keep looking at the summit instead of searching for ways to better climb the mountain, you will fall off.” (Simon Sinek, InsideQuest Interview, 2016) And what better way to climb a mountain would it be than to let go of distractions, work hard to create a deep connection with other people, and help others in need so that they would lift you up as well and reach that summit. 

It isn't the generations’ fault, but it is their responsibility to create a better version of themselves, and thus create a better environment for them and for others as well.

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