Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.

Millennials are often viewed as being entitled and hard to manage in the workplace. Is there any truth to this claim?

Key Points:

  • Parenting. Too many millennials grew up in an environment that coddled them. Participation trophies, it turns out, are a bad thing. When these students graduate into the real world, they struggle with self-esteem.
  • Technology. Engagement with social media releases dopamine – the exact same chemical that makes us feel good when we smoke, drink, or gamble. Social media addiction is becoming hard-wired into millennials, causing them to struggle to form deep, meaningful relationships – the natural coping mechanisms that help us to deal with stress.
  • Impatience. Millennials have grown up in a world of instant gratification. But there is no app for job satisfaction or healthy relationships. Some things that really matter – purpose, love, joy – take time to develop.
  • Environment. Our society puts millennials into corporate environments that aren’t helping them overcome the dysfunction that is built into them. And the worst part is that millennials think they’re the problem.

Quote This:

Leadership is not about the next election, it’s about the next generation. -Simon Sinek

Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. In your own words, explain the “parenting” issue for millennials. Give an example of this from your own life or workplace. What would you offer as a solution to this problem?
  3. In your own words, explain the “technology” issue for millennials. Give an example of this from your own life or workplace. What would you offer as a solution to this problem?
  4. In your own words, explain the “impatience” issue for millennials. Give an example of this from your own life or workplace. What would you offer as a solution to this problem?
  5. In your own words, explain the “environment” issue for millennials. Give an example of this from your own life or workplace. What would you offer as a solution to this problem?
  6. What “millennial problem” would you add to Sinek’s list?
  7. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.