An Ode to Millennials
I think back as I sit here and type,
Why does our generation have such negative hype?
There’s no shortage of lists of our faults,
We’re entitled, overconfident, and don’t put enough in our bank-vault…
More than one would agree “The millennial generation is so far astray.”
But what happened and how did we become this way?
If we are going to be judged, I’d like to form my case.
Give me a second and I’ll set a nice pace.
Eating my avocado toast and latte in hand,
I decided to think back and explore this unfamiliar land…
I can show you my trophies so you know that I’m great,
But you must be kidding if you ask to work more than 8…
I’ve learned so much, look at my degree!
If I don’t see advancement, I’m leaving month 3.
I constantly challenge the status-quo,
But I have no real direction where I want it to go.
This is the definition that you have placed.
Now, if you would, allow me to form my case.
My coffee is instant, it costs 5 cents a cup.
Avocado toast isn’t for everyone. In fact, it would make me throw up.
You mention participation trophies to further your case,
Look around- You’ll find no such thing in my place.
We expect our leaders to be serious about our growth,
So if we’re not offered a plan, we’re not sorry to go.
Our generation may challenge the status-quo,
But it’s because you empowered us to make a difference, wherever we go.
It’s time that we stopped focusing on what sets us apart,
A well-managed group breaks down barriers-make today your team’s start.
Bob - if you've encountered this type of negative media on GenX-ers or Baby Boomers, why not write or try to do something about it? I felt and still feel that Millennials often get a bad rap, so I decided I wanted to write content like this to promote positive content across the board. You'll find that my message is consistent in that we all have value, separation of generations is a label not a definition, and collaboration between generations is what make a workspace efficient. Not focusing on what separates us. I'm just as excited for Gen-Xers as I am for Baby Boomers and as I am for Millennials. This was a fun and unique way for me to convey my message on the odd stereotypes I've personally encountered, I do not ever argue that one generation is superior. I've said it before and I'm happy to again-we all have unique experiences, skill sets, and qualities that should be leveraged on a team to best operate-regardless of generation.
I don't see negativity toward millenials on Linkedin. On the contrary, I've seen 100,000 articles that hype Millenials into the stratosphere. It is nothing but promoting age discrimination. I don't see hyping of GenX or boomers, but tons of hyping of Millenials. But that is slowly coming to an end as the hyping of GenZ has begun and is beginning to take off. Soon Millenials will be the has-beens. When they benefit from all the hype due to their youth, they'll learn the hard way that there are others younger than them. When the hype stops, they will fade into the background and will be finally forced to understand what GenX'ers and boomers currently go through.
No such thing as Millennials, just people in the end. :)
Very clever, David Hir. Age is but a number, the skills and experiences we are able to gain in each year of our lives, is unique to the individual. Millennials have many stereotypes to overcome, as have baby boomers, and almost every generation that came before. The only difference I see is that younger generations are starting to be taken more seriously, and get the recognition for their achievements.
I think it is great! Thank you for pushing the #positivepower What's funny is that most every generation forgets they were treated the same way. The very people that look down on millennials forget they were in that some boat only a few decades ago. To be quite honest, I think this generation has it harder. Truth is most people just want to be heard. Keep on doing what you're doing!