The Millennials Are Coming? Nope. We’re Here.
Only about 12 minutes – Highly encourage you to watch!
60 Minutes broadcast this story in 2007 about the new generation of American workers called, among other things, “millennials.” I remember catching this segment because it resonated with me. I had just graduated college, started a new job and was trying to navigate the Windy City. Watching this again with an expanded perspective was very intriguing and provoked some thoughts I want to share.
First, I’m not sure if my generation is supposed to be flattered or enraged at some of the commentary by these CBS correspondents and ad agency executives. Second, I’m trying to decide how much (if anything) has changed in the almost three years since this originally aired and whether it’s still relevant, true and/or flattering today.
It’s probably safe to say most Millennials would scoff at the opening dialogue from CBS correspondent Morley Safer. And when Marian Salzman, the millennial tracker (are we really that cool?), laughingly says we have to be spoken to like a therapist on TV talks to a patient, it’s likely most Millennials will take offense to that too. But is there any truth to what they’re saying? Just as we make fun of old dudes with trophy wives, are we trophy kids?
When (haha, I just said “when”) I was growing up, I loved earning trophies, and displayed them proudly on my dresser. Participant trophies and ribbons meant nothing to me; second place is the first loser. It was also affirming and built up my self-esteem to hear my parents tell me I was indeed special. Doesn’t that beat being told you aren’t good enough? I’ve met some people who grew up around that trash talking – trust me, special talk beats loser talk every day of the week. So we have dusty trophies in our parents’ basements and we’re told we’re great kids. Are we not qualified for the “cold realities of work”?
OK, so I took a little offense to being told we need therapist-like coaching and shouldn’t be proud of our trophies. I also took a little offense at being described as a generation that expects to be rewarded just for showing up…wait no, that was funny! If I sound like I’m on the defensive, yeah maybe I am, but let’s bury this hatchet. Salzman, the millennial tracker, did say that some of us are the greatest generation, more hardworking and enormously clever. This is true. She also said others are “absolutely incorrigible.” This is also true. So the question for our generation becomes, which camp do we want to fall into?
We can be outraged all we want that we’re being scrutinized for shaking up the workplace (sometimes for better, sometimes for worse), but we should know by now that too much salt can indeed ruin an entire pot of soup. Individually we can break the mold of these criticisms this 60 Minutes segment threw at us. Let’s leave the incorrigibles behind. Who’s with me? I’ve got some ideas on how to break this mold, so stay tuned…
Note to readers: This blog is intended to be organic. When I stumble upon a topic that gets me going and resonates with people around me, it’s likely I’ll spend some time exploring it. Making sense of my generation (and helping to lead it) is a huge passion of mine. I’d love to stimulate conversation with you, so as always, comments, emails, tweets, etc. are welcomed and encouraged! And please share if you like it!
