When Millennials reject feedback, they lose agility. They were “protected” for years

Kids in many countries I’ve visited are being raised with a peculiar parent protective approach: “You are great”, “You are right”, “Excellent”, “Don’t worry”. I think that many (of course, not all) members of the millennial generation grew up with a lot more adult support than previous generations.

Worrying studies reveal that they’re by 1/3 (to say the least) most disengaged from work and their companies. They’re not that happy. Possibly this is explained partially, by the fact that the corporate world is stuck on old-management logics, top-down. But are they ready to integrate and work with the usual hard demands of any company?

Schools are not shaping open-minds

This generation — like all others before — entered the workforce following a lifetime of traditional school, where they received feedback in the form of grades, not in the form of personal evaluation for improvement. It can feel like a slap in the face, entering the harsh realities of work in an organization.

My personal experience

Having mentored more than 50 youngsters, I remain with mixed thoughts on their ability to receive feedback and act upon it constructively. A few weeks ago, a restauranteur friend was telling me how frustrated he was when youngsters resigned the business in short-notice, and without contributing much to grow and develop. A tough business line? Which business is easy?

The same feedback I got from two PR agencies CEO’s and a Marine insurance company when it comes to youngsters’ skills, competence, character, and their rejection of feedback. Even two young learning hub owners told me that the worst they see in project teams is the time they reject feedback.

From theory to practice

Being open to feedback, means you’ve realized that you’re missing on competence and skills. From a startup owner who doesn’t realize customer journeys, up to an employee who can’t put in practice the curriculum he or she graduated, they both come from a theory-world, and they must adapt into implementing things they don’t know that well.

This starting point is essential to self-evaluation and awareness. I was getting hard feedback to improve all the time, being at the very first steps of my career, and I had to live-through by the annoying verbatim “It’s the result that counts“.

The workplace was and will be tougher

The workplace is transforming and it will be changing for long (every day!!). Leadership, Communications, and Organizations are in disarray. Lower costs, flexible lines, completely new skill-sets in demand, automation and software tools, huge competition, same/identical MBAers and increased company’s pressure for market-demanding projects. As long as companies will transform so the employees would be asked to change and improve.

Take for granted that companies won’t help you personally to achieve your ideas and dreams. You will have to find your ways through initiatives, convictions, collaborations based on feedback and learning.

See below video to discuss and share

Generation Y’s most-outspoken critic speaks out: “Millennials are struggling at work[/inlinetweet] because their parents gave them medals for coming last”