In this post:
- The changing landscape of America’s workforce
- What the world would look like without millennials
Please note that this post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.
The changing landscape of America’s workforce
As millennials continue to move into and comprise more of America’s workforce, they’re not only changing the workplace and revolutionizing the meaning of work, millennials are also changing society through new interpretations of what it means to lead and be successful.
Despite this, we’re still battling the many negative stereotypes of millennials. Entitled. Self-serving. Self-centered. Social media addicts. Coddled. Unfocused. Apathetic. Unmotivated. These are all words we’ve heard that describe our generation. While there are millennials out there that may fall into one or more of these categories, it simply isn’t true that we’re all like this.
Research from Deloitte University’s Leadership Center for Inclusion found that half of millennials today in the workforce already hold leadership positions, with 41% of them having at least 4 direct reports. Compared to previous generations, gen-Xers and baby boomers were still in junior level positions at the same age. Clearly, we’re not that unfocused or unmotivated.
But millennials do have differing ideas and opinions on what really is important in both work and life compared to other generations. They’re disrupting the status quo, and desire purpose-driven work more so than any of their predecessors. They’re not entitled or self-serving when it comes to working and leading others. Rather, they want to live well with purpose, meaning they desire rewarding, meaningful work, and the flexibility to have a fulfilling life beyond their job.
In this way, millennials are not only changing work norms, they’re transforming the cultural norms of what it means to live, and live well, across America. For those of us that are millennials, it’s hard to imagine what life would be like without the trends that have shaped our generation, but here’s a taste of what the world would look like without millennials.
What the world would look like without millennials
The workforce would be less educated. Millennials are the most educated workforce yet, and they firmly believe in attaining higher degrees. In 2017, forty percent of millennial workers ages 25-29 had a bachelor’s degree at minimum, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of Current Population Survey data. Compared to gen-Xers in 2000, only 32% held at least a bachelor’s degree.
There would be more cubicles and traditional office environments. Millennials are challenging the traditional office and workspace, opting instead for more flexible working arrangements. Research has shown that millennials identify “flexible working conditions and work/life integration” as the primary way that companies can improve employee retention.
Work would be less purpose-driven. While millennials know their company’s profit is important, less than half say it should be the most important goal of a business. According to a Deloitte study, two out of three millennials insist that an organization’s purpose is a deciding factor for them when deciding to work there. Furthermore, four out of five say they’re dissatisfied if their organization doesn’t have a purpose with which they can support or align with.
There would be less transparency. Millennials grew up in a world where information was immediately accessible. They’re incredibly adept in researching and finding answers, and they move at a fast pace to get to the bottom of something. So when millennials enter an organization where information is hoarded, secrets are kept, communication channels are broken, and unexplained deals are made, they’ll question and push back. It’s the age of more information for millennials, and as they continue to push organizations towards greater transparency, those organizations will enjoy more engagement and loyalty from their employees.
Food wouldn’t be as pretty. Half of millennials today refer to themselves as “foodies,” using food as a way to tell stories about themselves. A quick look at anyone’s social media will reveal millennials’ preferences for using food as a form of self-expression. They take pictures of them looking at food, eating food, making food, and follow their favorite food blogs to stay up to date on the latest food trends.
Climate change would be on the back burner. Studies show that a majority of millennials see global warming and climate change as a proven fact and problem. They’re also taking active steps to address this, such as choosing environmentally friendly products, using public transportation, recycling more, and pushing for sustainable practices in business.
Careers and jobs would remain status quo. Millennials have continued to challenge previously held beliefs about jobs and careers. Sticking with the same company until retirement is no longer a believable career path for them, and neither is the singular focus on the bottom line. Rather, millennials wish to work for businesses that believe in making the world a better place.
Digital shopping would be no longer. A world without Amazon, Etsy, and all your favorite online stores is a sad world indeed. In a study by Accenture, it was found that millennial shoppers spend roughly $600 billion each year, with 67% of millennials preferring to shop online rather than in-store. That’s a huge influence on the online shopping space. The tech-savvy millennials of the world have fueled the move from brick-and-mortar to virtual stores and e-commerce, and the consequent shift to convenient and flexible shopping.
Decision-making would remain at the top. Millennials challenge us to make decision-making more distributive. Traditionally, it was customary for businesses to make their decisions at the top because the bulk of information was collected there. Today, nearly all information is available at our fingertips, and businesses are required to make decisions that are dynamic to keep up with the constant, rapid changes. Millennials are unique in that they don’t have a barrier of authority that keeps them from accessing information. Consequently, distributed decision making is necessary for stronger engagement and enhanced decision making, with the emphasis being more on collaboration, rather than control.
Lastly, the man bun would have never been. Facial hair has made a comeback (for men, that is), and along with it the man bun. Clogged drains are on the rise, and the purchases of hairbands are up.
Drop a line