4 min read ⌚ 

“Together Is Better” is Simon Sinek’s third book, a short richly illustrated fable about three kids on a journey to a new playground. However, we felt that the talk it’s based upon is better structured and more appealing for now.

So, we summarized it.

About Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek is a British-born American motivational speaker, marketing and leadership consultant. He became a sensation with his talk “How great leaders inspire action,” the 3^rd most viewed TED talk of all time. It’s an understatement to say that his first two books, “Start With Why” and “Leaders Eat Last,” followed suit: they started a movement.

“Together Is Better Summary”

Whenever we’ve talked about millennials before on our site, it seems that we’ve talked about their failures. In a nutshell: they are the generation destroyed by smartphones and multitasking.

However, Simon Sinek – and he’s an expert on millennials – claims that this reputation is not solely the millennials’ fault. And moreover, that, either way, we must do something about it. After all, many members of Generation Y are already your employees – or will very soon have to become.

So, understanding why they are the way they are is of utmost importance.

And in Simon Sinek’s opinion, there are four factors who have contributed to the current attitude of millennials.

First of all, parenting.

Generation Y was probably the first generation in history to enjoy the fruits of all those liberal approaches to child-raising. Sinek is brutal in his assessment: it was a “failed parenting strategy”.

Why?

Because, millennials were showered with praise regardless of how good they were as kids. This has rendered them incapable of dealing with things such as disagreements, criticism or even competition. And, even worse, it has made them overconfident.

So, they are either bound to become unmanageable employees or fall apart when they realize that rewards are related to good performances.

Secondly, technology.

All benefits aside, technology has one serious downside as well. Namely, it turns most of its users into addicts. And that’s because interactions with cellphones release dopamine, which is the neurochemical which makes you happy.

Of course there’s a problem: if devices make you happy, people may not so much. So, millennials are incapable of forming relationships. And may turn to alcohol or even suicide due to this feeling of complete isolation from their peers.

Thirdly, impatience.

Millennials are instant gratification monkeys: they want it all and they want it now. And, thanks to technology, in many cases they do have it. After all, why are Amazon and Netflix so popular services?

But, this attitude doesn’t transfer well to the serious world of adults. Because, instant gratification isn’t love, but sex; and isn’t a career, but a low-level employee moving from one job to another.

Finally, environment.

Millennials are victims of outdated management strategies which put the needs of the customers first and the needs of the employees last. Even though companies nowadays need dream managers, they are fully satisfied with one-minute managers.

Not a good idea!

So, what should leaders do to turn millennials into a productive generation?

Well, obviously, to teach them the value of relationships and patience, and the importance of criticism. And they should not do it through an intense one-off seminar; but through a careful implementation of such a culture within their company.

Key Lessons from “Together Is Better”

1.      Older Generations: Millennials Are Unmanageable
2.      Four Factors Have Made Millennials the Way They Are
3.      Here’s How You Can Successfully Lead Millennials

Older Generations: Millennials Are Unmanageable

Also known as the Generation Y, millennials are those people born sometime between 1984 and 2004. In the opinion of older generations, they are the worst! First of all, they are lazy. Secondly, they are egocentric and don’t want to learn. And thirdly – they think they are always right.

Now, how would you manage such a bunch of selfish nitwits?

Four Factors Have Made Millennials the Way They Are

Well, first of all, by understanding what made them what they are. And in Simon Sinek’s opinion, four factors have contributed to the shaping of Generation Y.

First of all, liberal parenting, which encouraged positive feedback even when the children hadn’t deserved it. Secondly, technology which made millennials incapable of forming long-term relationships. Thirdly, impatience which stemmed from technological instant gratification. And, finally, the environment – which hasn’t caught up with the new times.

Here’s How You Can Successfully Lead Millennials

And it’s not that difficult to lead millennials successfully. However, instead of focusing on how to change them, you need to focus on how to change the culture of your company. In other words, try to make your company comfortable for millennials. And they will pay you back big time!

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“Together Is Better” Quotes

Emir Zecovic

Emir is the Head of Marketing at 12min. In his spare time, he loves to meditate and play soccer.