I've seen this video about an author named Simon Sinek floating around the internet for the past few days titled "Simon Sinek on Millennials in the Workplace". From my minimal dataset, including my own opinion, since this is not an unbiased blog whatsoever, I'd actually say I'm quite biased in this regard, but I have a few points to make for Mr. Sinek, and all of the people who seem to think this is more than a semi-successful author's attempt to sell his books.
Here's a link to the video: Simon Sinek on Millennials in the Workplace
The 15 minute interview-style video discusses the attitudes of millennials and consequences of the technological world we live in today. He certainly makes good points, although his overall theme is that millennials are addicted to their phones. And generally I agree with that, but is it the end of the world as he seems to make it out to be? Well, judge that for yourself at the end of this post.
First of all, he cites millennials to be people born around 1994 and on, making the oldest of them about 22 years old.
Wait, only 22? And the video is titled "Millennials in the Workplace"? How long have they been in the workplace? Where did you get your data from Mr. Sinek?
Judging by his statements regarding the issues that arise when cellphones are brought into the boardroom, I assume you know many 22 year olds who actually go to boardrooms? This seems unlikely.
This brings me to 2 more grievances I have with the themes of his talk.
First, millennials have the greatest potential of any generation so far. We have unlimited resources at the tip of our fingers from that poisonous cellphone we seem to never let go of. To his points, it is true that there are positives and negatives that go along with the constant outlet to share our lives with each other. But, how do we know that past generations didn't have the same problems and they just weren't shared every day? Millennials receive the stereotypes that they do because our lives are no longer private in the same way past generations' were. But is this bad? Millennials are the most open and accepting generation that we have ever had, and paved the way for that to continue in the future. Could this have been because we were told growing up that we can do and be whoever we wanted? That is definitely a factor, and it's also the impact that our parents, the previous generation, have left on us. This is the exact opposite of a negative.
Those who take advantage of the privileges millennials have over previous generations do amazing things. Look at kickstarter or new startups in silicon valley. New products that we dream up now have more of a chance to become reality than ever before. I think that is a testament to the millennial, that despite the odds of failure, we still try. Simon Sinek sees this attitude of going against the odds and making dreams come true a waste. Yes, we aren't conforming to the typical factory job that once was available to everyone who had or did not have an education. We don't have that luxury.
My second point has to do with the way the economy has made it all the more difficult to find a real job after graduating. And I don't mean graduating high school, I mean graduating a 4 year university program doesn't guarantee a career in that field. It has come to the point that students who were told to go to university if they wanted a "good" job, have to go back to another school to get a higher degree in their field, or study another field altogether to have a chance at a job.
Let's not forget the impossible standards of companies now who want 2-5 years experience for entry level positions. Or the ridiculous cost of education in the developed world ranging from 30-100 thousand dollars for a 4 year program. Students graduating university with 70 000 dollars in debt who cannot find a job are set up for failure. Nevermind the additional pressure to buy a house or rent property in major cities, where the top 2% may be able to afford the asking prices, but certainly not a freshly-graduated 22 year old.
Times have changed. This often is left out in these types of discussions. So many times I've heard people comparing now to then, a mere 30 years ago, and it's not an apples to apples comparison.
Overall, like I said, Simon made good points, but remember that he is an author/motivational speaker, and it is his job to call out arguments that seem simple but inspire. Well, I'd say that this talk was more depressing that any motivational speech I've heard. I guess he isn't a very good one.
Feel free to comment your thoughts and until next time,
J
Here's a link to the video: Simon Sinek on Millennials in the Workplace
The 15 minute interview-style video discusses the attitudes of millennials and consequences of the technological world we live in today. He certainly makes good points, although his overall theme is that millennials are addicted to their phones. And generally I agree with that, but is it the end of the world as he seems to make it out to be? Well, judge that for yourself at the end of this post.
First of all, he cites millennials to be people born around 1994 and on, making the oldest of them about 22 years old.
Wait, only 22? And the video is titled "Millennials in the Workplace"? How long have they been in the workplace? Where did you get your data from Mr. Sinek?
Judging by his statements regarding the issues that arise when cellphones are brought into the boardroom, I assume you know many 22 year olds who actually go to boardrooms? This seems unlikely.
This brings me to 2 more grievances I have with the themes of his talk.
First, millennials have the greatest potential of any generation so far. We have unlimited resources at the tip of our fingers from that poisonous cellphone we seem to never let go of. To his points, it is true that there are positives and negatives that go along with the constant outlet to share our lives with each other. But, how do we know that past generations didn't have the same problems and they just weren't shared every day? Millennials receive the stereotypes that they do because our lives are no longer private in the same way past generations' were. But is this bad? Millennials are the most open and accepting generation that we have ever had, and paved the way for that to continue in the future. Could this have been because we were told growing up that we can do and be whoever we wanted? That is definitely a factor, and it's also the impact that our parents, the previous generation, have left on us. This is the exact opposite of a negative.
Those who take advantage of the privileges millennials have over previous generations do amazing things. Look at kickstarter or new startups in silicon valley. New products that we dream up now have more of a chance to become reality than ever before. I think that is a testament to the millennial, that despite the odds of failure, we still try. Simon Sinek sees this attitude of going against the odds and making dreams come true a waste. Yes, we aren't conforming to the typical factory job that once was available to everyone who had or did not have an education. We don't have that luxury.
My second point has to do with the way the economy has made it all the more difficult to find a real job after graduating. And I don't mean graduating high school, I mean graduating a 4 year university program doesn't guarantee a career in that field. It has come to the point that students who were told to go to university if they wanted a "good" job, have to go back to another school to get a higher degree in their field, or study another field altogether to have a chance at a job.
Let's not forget the impossible standards of companies now who want 2-5 years experience for entry level positions. Or the ridiculous cost of education in the developed world ranging from 30-100 thousand dollars for a 4 year program. Students graduating university with 70 000 dollars in debt who cannot find a job are set up for failure. Nevermind the additional pressure to buy a house or rent property in major cities, where the top 2% may be able to afford the asking prices, but certainly not a freshly-graduated 22 year old.
Times have changed. This often is left out in these types of discussions. So many times I've heard people comparing now to then, a mere 30 years ago, and it's not an apples to apples comparison.
Overall, like I said, Simon made good points, but remember that he is an author/motivational speaker, and it is his job to call out arguments that seem simple but inspire. Well, I'd say that this talk was more depressing that any motivational speech I've heard. I guess he isn't a very good one.
Feel free to comment your thoughts and until next time,
J
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