Millennials in the workplace

[bbmike]

I think Simek's point about being disconnected from the ones physically around you is still pretty valid.  And yes, I recognize the irony of saying that in a group of digital friends populated by very, very few people I've met in real life.

We are your imaginary friends.  8)

[OJsDad]

Do you have a lot of interaction with Millenials?  At home or in the workplace?  It's certainly not new that the last generation thinks the next generation is shite at life.  Just kind of the human condition.  They get better at it or die trying.  Then they become the ones in power and turn on the following generation.  Circle of life.

Over the last ~10 years here in the States, there's been a lot of reporting on what the Millenial generation is asking for on college campuses: safe spaces, trigger warnings, the dismantling of institutions/traditions/ways of thinking that offend them.  There's a lot of crying about the cost of college and telling everyone else how to live their lives in relation to Millenials.  What they will put up with and what they won't.  It's a culture of being offended at everything.  And it's created a backlash of, "Suck it up and welcome to the real world."

Are there Millenials who go to work each day, and don't complain about their lot in life?  Absolutely.  Young people that work within the system to change the things they disagree with?  Certainly.  Hope that through bringing attention to the things they find important that the world will conform to how they see it?  Most assuredly.  But, as with any overarching tag applied to any group, there are going to be extremes and most in the group will fall into the mean.  As they age into power, we will see what they can accomplish.  In the meantime, I'm tired of hearing how butt hurt you are that life isn't the way you want it.  Go change it or shut up.

Very well stated MD. 

The only thing I would add, is that they don't want any penalties or repercussions for actions taken, choices made or their beliefs.  Rack up $40K in student loans getting a High School 2.0 diploma, someone else should pay that bill.  Cant get a job because they fail a drug screening test, then the company should be banned from doing those tests or someone else should pay for their food/healthcare/cell phone, etc.  You don't believe exactly what they believe in, then your a racist, homophobe, hater.  Forget about having a discussion about those beliefs and difference, they'll scream you out and sometime decide that violence justifies their beliefs. 

It's hard to admit that you may have made bad choices or that the world is black and white.  But this particular group seems to be taking it to an even further extreme. 

[Arctic Blast]

^^I don't entirely disagree, but I also think there's a tendency for us to see it that way as we get older. It's "Those damn kids!" syndrome. I think back and realize that there were just as many attention-whoring crybabies around when I was a kid. Hell, look at Trump. Is there anyone who talks down more to other people needing safe spaces and blah blah blah, and yet is there a bigger over-sensitive manbaby on planet Earth than that guy? And he's not some anomaly. There are plenty of dudes in their 70s who run their mouths about how tough they had it as kids and kids these days are soft and so on, and yet they're the first ones to start crying whenever anything gets the slightest bit tough for them.

[MetalDog]

Our lens on the world is focused through our own perception.  We see things the way we want to.  What happens less and less, or maybe never did, is trying to look through someone else's lens.  Actively trying to do that leads to more instances of connection.  More connection means more dialog.  More dialog means more understanding.  And that's not a bad thing. 

[egg_salad]

^^I don't entirely disagree, but I also think there's a tendency for us to see it that way as we get older. It's "Those damn kids!" syndrome. I think back and realize that there were just as many attention-whoring crybabies around when I was a kid. Hell, look at Trump. Is there anyone who talks down more to other people needing safe spaces and blah blah blah, and yet is there a bigger over-sensitive manbaby on planet Earth than that guy? And he's not some anomaly. There are plenty of dudes in their 70s who run their mouths about how tough they had it as kids and kids these days are soft and so on, and yet they're the first ones to start crying whenever anything gets the slightest bit tough for them.

You said what I wanted to in a much clearer way, thanks.

The other half of my argument is the "Participation trophy" theory.   It is all bullshit, IMO.  These, weak, generalized myths, being perpetuated over and over boil my blood.  Where is the data that proves this?  Have you seen it?  I haven't.  Remember the words of Deming -- something like "In God we trust, all others must bring data."   

[Emeraldlis]

Our lens on the world is focused through our own perception.  We see things the way we want to.  What happens less and less, or maybe never did, is trying to look through someone else's lens.  Actively trying to do that leads to more instances of connection.  More connection means more dialog.  More dialog means more understanding.  And that's not a bad thing.

I completely and utterly agree with your sentiments there MD . the problem with people who feel entitled , whether they are from the millennial generation or not , is that they concentrate only on their needs and wants , and expect everyone around them to give them everything they want ! its the ultimate selfish brat syndrome ! I have little time for people who won't put themselves in someone else's shoes and try to see things from their  point of view , I think it's just rude . i had a lot of crap to deal with growing up in my life , but I don't feel entitled , I still think it's the right thing to do to reach out and help a person wherever possible ,and hopefully understand them, and hopefully connect , and hopefully make a friendship . And like you say , that's not a bad thing .

I think a lot of other good points are being made on this thread , it's good to read  :) no nonsense grogginess rides again !!!!

[JasonPratt]

I think Simek's point about being disconnected from the ones physically around you is still pretty valid.  And yes, I recognize the irony of saying that in a group of digital friends populated by very, very few people I've met in real life.

We are your imaginary friends.  8)

Who read the front page occasionally!  >:D

[bayonetbrant]

https://medium.com/the-mission/the-14-most-destructive-millennial-myths-debunked-by-data-aa00838eecd6?source=reading_list---leadership------19-4---------