The Millennial Misunderstanding
Across the last few years, more than a few social commentators have leveled some pretty heavy charges at Gen-Y: they’re entitled, pop-culture obsessed, and technology dependent. They fill school assignments with emoticons, they look to Wikipedia as the end-all authority, and worst of all, they’re lazy.
The charge of laziness is one that Carol Phillips of Millennial Marketing recently took up. Citing a fascinating panel that examined Gen-Y in the workplace from two very different perspectives, she demonstrates that what is viewed by an older generation as laziness is often just a different, less traditional set of priorities.
Carol quotes one panelist who says: “I spent years as an associate, I hit all my metrics- but I didn’t want to become partner. It’s no secret that focusing on making as much money as possible ruined many of these older partners’ personal lives.” said Anthony Zana, he is now Corporate Counsel for Intergraph Corporation — where he left behind the billable hour. “I’ve seen too many successful partners on their 3rd and 4th marriage — and I did not want that to be me.”
Gen-Y is upfront about its interest in balance. For many millennials, having grown up among the prosperity of the last twenty-five years, there is an intimate understanding of what wealth makes possible — and, more importantly, what it doesn’t. Money isn’t just an abstract thing to be strived after; it’s familiar, and thus for many, demystified. With almost half of millennials exposed to divorce, there is also a generation-wide recognition that relationships and marriages can’t be taken for granted; just like a job, they’re things that require time, effort and long hours. This all amounts to the fact that Gen-Y is more aware than any previous generation that financial and professional success comes with costs. And in many cases, based on the experiences of those they grew up watching, the costs don’t feel justified. With that in mind, it seems to me that many Gen-Y-ers are looking for a career that compliments and supports their life — not consumes it. They’re interested in material possessions and the typical markers of success, of course, but they’re simply more aware that success in one deparment (be it professional or financial) doesn’t equate to happiness. In that regard, I have a tremendous respect for the ambitious Gen-Y-ers who strive to be successful across all fronts.
Carol Phillips comes to some similar conclusions in her post here. I highly recommend giving it a glance — if only so that you know where your Gen-Y-er is coming from.
I’m going to be writing on other misunderstandings that surround Gen-Y from time to time, and I’d certainly be interested in hearing some of your thoughts on the subject.
Have a great day,
Paul
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