The Millennial Question 

For the IB comrades, a. articulate b. attack c. fail at d. thrust into e. rely on f. cope with g. form h. check i. binge j. waft through k. overcome l. wander

This talk just reinforces my realization that I had great parents. They were "strict" while I was growing up, they gave me rules and standards. They taught me to have a good work ethic, if I wanted somthing i had to earn it. They always told me and showed me that they loved me but they discouraged me to be prideful, instead be pleased with a job well done and people well loved.

People tend to forget that everything is subjective. What Sinek says can be applicable to some millennials but not all millennials. It is broad generalisation but the main points are being conveyed. If none of what he said applies to you, kudos to you, you are an exceptional millennial! I don't see why some people who claim that what he said is not entirely 'accurate' have to make a big fuss over his statements. It's almost a paradox or irony. Usually, the more we react, the higher the probability that we are rejecting the truth because it hurts us.

This speech is one of the most important for Gen-Z! Thank you Simon Sinek!

That's one of the most blow mind explanation about my generation I've ever seen.

I just wanna say in my 33 years I never felt motivated more than this speech and I am willing to buy your books to read and learn more

I have seen this video countless of times. I always come back to it every so often. As I get older it seems to hit me harder and harder. I feel the emotion from Simon even more. It's heartbreaking.

1. parenting 2. technology 3. impatient 4. environment thank you sir.

Awesome speech Simon. I am a Millenial, I do struggle with all you said, and with the fact I understood all this as a teenager yet nobody ever listened around me.

This made me wanna cry at one point. Don't know if in a good or bad way.

Thanks so much for this video Simon. I've watched this at least a dozen times over the last few months. I've deleted social media off my phone. Without doubt my mental health, my relationship with my wife and my bond with my toddler have all grown. Everyone should be made to watch this video. Legend.

I'm 55, I have a 33yr old, a 25yr old, and a 13yr old. I believe this is exactly the problem, he hit it right on the head, especially with my youngest two. Thank you.

2022: Average home price is 7 times the median income 1972. Average home price is 3 times the median income That pretty much sums up how badly millenials were screwed.

And how much worse has this been due to social isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. I wonder if social media needs to be banned for high schoolers or kids under 16. I’m speaking here as an American high-schooler here. Social media and cell phones should be secondary to real people, and unfortunately that doesn’t happen with my generation. I don’t agree with everything this guy is saying but he speaks truth in more ways than one. Saving this video for sure.

A friend just recommended this to me and I'm blown away by how popular this completely off base video is. Millennials were born from 1981-1996. This puts Millennials largely in a pre-smart phone, pre-social media, pre-texting era for most of their adolescence. Many of them grew up without access to cell phones or computers outside of school, let alone the internet (AOL era internet at that). I'm smack in the middle of the range and grew up in a well off area. None of my friends had cell phones before 16, most didn't have a home computer and internet access until around high school! Facebook came about at the end of my high school years, but you couldn't access it because it was only available for college students. Even then, unless you went to a certain set of schools you couldn't access it for years. Your entire supposedly scientifically backed theories (would really love to see the proof on that science) are drawing generalizations based on technology that simply didn't exist or wasn't largely accessible to the over 80 million people defined as Millennials during our adolescence. This may be what is "wrong" with Gen Z, but I think it's too early to pass judgement on an entire generation which is still aged 22 and younger.

All my wife's freinds said I was to hard on my son. The maintenance crew at the church keep asking when my son turned 16, finally she ask why they wanted to know. They said because he works harder for free, then the kids we pay & we can not hire him until he is 16. My son was taught if he wanted a job, he must make good grades, do his chores & learn how to do whatever he want to do in a job. So while my wife talked to friends after cherch, he would help the maintenance crew in order to learn what he needed to get a job at the church. He ended up in the kitchen as a cook & cooks better than my wife or my self when he was 20 years old. He can cook Sea bass with the trimmings, now he works as a electrician, to pay his way though Electrical Engineering school. He is an egale scout, born in 1994, so he is 25. Thanks for the video, I never knew that I was an okay Father until now.

Shared this last week! Amazing ❤️

Mr Sinek, I have been introduced to you through a training group at a new job. After eagerly listening to and watching pretty much all the content you have on RU-vid I cannot fathom how you remain so consistently positive with the knowledge you have. You have, without a doubt, changed my approach to human interaction, not only in my job but also in my own mind. You are a true inspiration and I want to thank you. Thank you.

Thank you for inspiration. I am working to get into an orthodontic programs mainly to listen and inspire kids and young adults, and you confirmed to me how important guiding the new generations is.

Who is from IB textbook??✋🏻

This is the MOST ACCURATE video I have watched in a very LONG time! Thank you for articulating the TRUTH of today!

Man! Thank you so much for this video!! I was in much need of it! Thanks a lot again.

Simon, the Millennial Question has another dimension: Companies run by Millennials. I am a Software Developer, born late 70ies, working mainly for Startups the last decade - often run and populated mainly by Millennials I have seen rushed and irrational decision making, critical voices being expelled, a lack of ability to compromise and a "We tried that once, it didnt work, we stopped that" attitude.

Amazing! I always thought things like that, and think that I was born in the wrong time. Simon really translate what this generation must hear to be better.

Yes.. indeed what he's telling resonates with everyone ... We lack good leaderships, patience, and trust in relationship Most importantly instant gratification...w/o which we have a pang of pain. Kudos to you for bringing forth .. It's so good that people like you are talking abt this and seeking resolution of this.

READ ON!!! I was born in 97. What Simon Sinek is saying makes sense, and it is scary. I am glad I’m Jewish (orthodox). I keep Sabbath (from Friday night to Saturday night. YES, every week)), during which we can’t use electricity - no phones, no switching lights on and off, no cooking, etc. I don’t struggle though Sabbath when I’m cutoff from my phone. I spend a lot of time talking with my parents and siblings. I also read a lot. It’s a blessing; a resting day. I enjoy it a lot and my life would be crazy and stressful without it. I suggest that every person choose one day of the week to no just turn off your phone, but leave it in your bedroom, for example. Spend 1 day of the week without it. Even if at first it will be hard, I guarantee that you’ll come to love that day.

Man, you inspired me so much man, thank you so much for everything.

So much for empathy and listening

This is everything. *Deep exhale* and thank you from a 1979 baby who mentors many millennials. They're so freaking great! They need elders.

Yooooooooo......so powerful! I need to hear more of his work.

It's a great message, and if I may take it a step deeper, the biggest problem here is that we as a society aren't doing enough to show people how to manage their emotions and relationships. You say "please take care of each other" but we aren't showing them how to do it. We want to optimize everything, and we try to apply that to our emotions, so we minimize the "bad" ones and maximize the "good" ones rather than embracing them all and sharing them with others. On the most basic level, that's the path to connection. Feel ALL of your feelings and share them with your family and friends.

Really good point of view. Thank you Simon, thank goodness i can find you on social media here!

By the way, I watched this video while charging my phone in bed. 😂🤣

Well said!! 👏 Very impactful talk. Worst case scenario in my generation, increased suicide rates, has been devastating to witness. Thank you for speaking out and being such an encouragement.

Awesome analysis, I see myself in some of the things said, and have been putting quite a lot of betterment processes since a while which helped me a lot... but your words definitely empower! TY

This has got to be my favorite video on the whole internet!!!!!!!

You are blessed! You have definitely found and developed your talent!!! Please, keep up the good work!!!! Brilliant speech!!!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👍🏾

Just graduated from college this year (21 years old)... I felt like if you are telling my story.... I will try my best to get over my cellphone... Seriously, as I'm thinking now I felt like I'm in a relationship with my phone... Thanks a lot...

This is so good; so true! 18 months ago I began working for a non-profit health insurance company (we only insure federal employees) near Washington, D.C. Because of HIPAA privacy laws, we're not permitted to have any device with a camera at work; I suppose so no one snaps pictures of our members' private info. It's really refreshing to be able to build work relationships, as you were talking about, without trying to converse with the top of someone's head.

Hello Simon, Very powerful points from you, thanks. My experience as a Classical music performer and teacher is kids are happy to take and continue the lessons but the teenagers and those in 20's & 30's (not everyone but in general) want some instant results which in case of Classical music is impossible so either they shift to the easy forms of music or they blame the teacher. This is pretty much the same words from other teachers too. I've bend the rules of learning as much enjoyable as possible but at the end of the day it's hard work they don't understand. I've given personal development sessions earlier and I'm a very optimistic person so may I request you to post a video which will focus on some solutions to those students who haven't got their "WHY".

I watched this interview a few years back. Today in this day and age we live in I am reminded of his words. Sad

Thank you Simon, my millennial son is driving me crazy with his impatience. What a perspective.. Bless you!

Wow! Amazing dissection! So true! Thanks for this expository.

Hey Simon, I must have been hiding under a rock (or buried in my darn phone) but I'm just hearing about you. Your response in this video clip is EPIC! Thank you for this! I've been worried about my two teenage sons for a lot of the reasons you stated here. But I also must point the finger back at myself for falling into this "technical world" just as much as they have. e.g. - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, taking cell phone to meetings AND using it, taking cell phones to social events AND using it, etc... And then I get upset when my boys take out their phones as I am talking to them? (Mixed messages, right?) I haven't been the best role model in this area especially since I have joined them in all of this insanity. You've given much food for thought and I'm going to begin my personal change by implementing a lot of what you suggested here. Thank you again for voicing your thoughts. I may be a bit behind in discovering you, but what do they say...."better late than never." You're my new fave person! Stay blessed!

Insightful and true. I am so blessed that I had the chance to spend long hours hiking and hanging out with my daughter throughout her adolescent life. We had a solid foundation of the importance of spending time, reading together, traveling, and enjoying simple things in life. I would never trade it for anything. And by the way, too much texting minimizes a person's communication skills and equates to a lack of confidence. It affects their social skills and it becomes a barrier to adapting to their environment.

As a psychologist/addiction specialist, i think the key here that I notice in the behaviors of those born after about 1990 is that they do not truly have an instinct to be aggressive in work or understand any method to achieve success in a career. AS an example, they feel that "networking" is some strange event that actually produces results.

You're just great mr.sinek

Some of those thoughts. I share them w my students. To empower them. To be better. Thanks for sharing such concerns on a global scale.

Thank you for wonderful insight from Korea.

This video targets the social problem millennials have impeccably. It has opened my eyes tremendously, thank you for sharing 💕💕💕💕

Well said...thank you.

I like how you motivate and inspire the people. Greeting from Indonesia

I really find it helpful...some points can be subjective but it will help as parents, guardians and teachers to assess our kids if gadgets affect our young the way how they live their everyday life.

This is certainly true for some young adults entering the job market. What is also true is that the term millennial didn't age well. The oldest millennial from 84 will be 40 in a few years. They have mortgages, families and mostly cooled off on changing the world. I've also seen so many kids in junior positions, work unpaid overtime, earning horrendously low salaries, doing everything they can to complete a project, only to get shitted on at the end of the day. The directors of those companies then turn around and wonder why those "millennials" are unmotivated, not loyal and often bitter. Sad truth is that most of them are just beat down by exploitative management practices.

It is a great concern about social relation.....superb talk by simon sinek ....

Mr. Sinek, you are such an inspiration!

This is awesome! I was just talking to a friend yesterday about how technology has messed up how everyone relates to one another. So glad someone else thinks the same way.

I think Simon brings terrific insight to light about leadership and the challenges of today's world. Sometimes I agree, other times I don't. This video is a great primer for all leaders. The problem isn't going to be solved by leaders alone. We're in this challenge together. It's not a "millennial" question/problem - it's OURS.

Beautiful beautiful much needed rant. Thank you. Now I know I’m not crazy.

who the heck downvote this great videos? by the way i still love watching this video i have watched this video every sunday morning and help me to develop my personal life i am 23 y/o and this video is WORTH so much better than music, tiktok and many useless video

I swear you are so right. I always blame the decline of everything on cellphones. Boys no longer know how to actually ask a girl our because I mean if he goes on Facebook a lot of girls out there are waiting to get that message from the opposite sex and in other not to lose their interest, they are already agreeing to dates etc. I remember before the advent of cellphones in Nigeria, it was land phones and you can only imagine the hustle to speak to your love interest when you know that it's possible her Dad or big brother is going to be the one answering. I remember receiving love notes and poems but those are extinct in today's world. Everything is easy, it's easy for a husband to step out on his wife and vice versa because I mean we have social media and all that unlike before. We often times get disillusioned by what we see on these sites forgetting that reality is far off from what we are looking at and so we wish to meet measure up and wonder why our stars have failed us. When in actuality, it's what we have allowed ourselves to get taught by, it's what we have allowed ourselves to get approved of. I love this your campaign and I'm glad I found you (on Instagram) because the truth is I am struggling with the same thing. I was actually going to pray but just couldn't ignore my habit of picking up my phone every morning. It's crazy honestly, I'm guilty of going on dates and not being unaware of my phone while not being aware of who I'm out with, I have had my phone snatched from my hands by my dates and it actually made me feel immature and instantly I felt like oh my it really wasn't intentional but I have made the first impression that what is opposite me is of that much importance so it just ends there.

Thank you so much, Simon. I am sharing this on my facebook for my kids to listen too.

From this 64 year old Boomer, you are very good at what you do! I’m not one to knock an entire generation, but I think you are being very constructive. On my FB page, I have about 40 Millennial friends. 35 of them are world class, U.S.F.S.A. figure skaters, and they are anything but the people who you describe. They are insanely driven, and they pursue a very beautiful, but very TOUGH sport. I’m sure that you would be as proud to be, “friends” with them as I am. Further, in my dealings with Millennials, I am always treated with RESPECT, and they will always catch the door for me, and refer to me as, “sir” which may make me feel old, but is the proper thing for them to do. Trust me when I say, that this generation is not dead yet! There is hope, and If I was in a position to deal with groups of them, the number one thing on my agenda would be to make sure that they all see this video. Well done sir! :-)

Guy at 11:41 is having his world rocked.

Thank you for this!

I really appreciate the talk.

Brilliant ideas, brilliantly delivered... I've had same/similar thoughts on this subject for years, but definitely gonna try and up my game in checking myself with these damn phones!

Amazing talk and I subscribed to see more of this guy because he says the truth and I appreciate it.

I think many of us "Millennials" did think that it was us and our problem. However upon hearing Simon talk I realized that I am not the only one in this boat which is nice to hear!

It's funny upon mentioning the work place, it seems cyclical and self-fulfilling - as if it's millennials managing millennials; the bosses want instant results, are impatient, have trouble managing longterm goals, and would rather send a message about firing than talking about the problem.

Hi Simon, As a Millennial, I agree with some of what you say, but definitely not all of it. Here are some things I'd like to posit: 1) Difficulties in understanding Millennials is possibly amplified because there are two (or more) groups within the generation. There are older Millennials sans mobile phones and constant communication and younger Millennials who are all about merging reality with online experiences. I’d say both groups are still very adept at communicating, just maybe not in “traditional” ways. 2) To suggest we've lost the art of conversation isn't really fair. What distracts us from tasks and communicating is different, that's all. And who we are as a "generation" is almost secondary anyway to personality types, goals in life (yes we have those), economic circumstances, etc. It's all a rich tapestry. It's really up to you and your own friend group, regardless of age, to tell people not to be rude and be on their phone, device, VR gear, whatever, while they're with you. Just like you've done when going out with friends! (Shall be trying this in the future, good tactic). 3) As a whole, our generation has been told to “be ourselves” all our lives and then upon arriving at adulthood, particularly when entering the workforce, we’re expected to enter a world of black and white rule. Why take away our sliding scale of grey? As you can see, and conveniently ignore, I think saying we're used to being told "good job, here's your ribbon" all the time is only part of the picture as to our disillusionment with "the real world workplace". There are myriad issues. 4) Yes, addiction to digital devices and social media and being “always on” has become an issue particularly pertinent for my generation. Although, I’ve seen quite a lot of Gen X parent groups on their phones while out with friends… I'd argue this addiction has a greater link to the digital age itself, not a specific generation. True, health issues certainly exist for some, like anxiety, depression, and so on. They are impacting us and we don’t even know the full long-term effects, really. However, are these really the symptoms? Or the drive to spend more time online? I'd get to the 'why'. Why you (or wherever these stats came from) think more young people are depressed. Is it actually social media? Or is it a lack of job opportunities? Or is it that mainstream media still perpetuates certain values, only now 24/7? Or something else? 5) The point about parenting is interesting. I’m not a parent so I can’t really comment. I’d argue it’s even more difficult in a world of ephemeral media and rapidly evolving technology, but then again there have always been detractors from "wholesome family conversations", whether it be books, TV, pagers, computers, Gameboys, laptops, mobiles, etc. 6) In terms of "entitlement", I feel like that's certainly true of some Millennials but not of all of us. But I've also seen plenty of "entitled" Gen Xers and Boomers, and plenty who aren't. Again... kind feel like it's more of a how that person was raised/ personality combo there. Some people are just selfish arsewipes. 7) I will concede that #selfie culture is a bit contrived, but again, not a generational thing. Warhol anyone? It's just made it easier for everyone to do. Anyway, things have been posited.

I'm 23. I really hoped, I would have found you in my college time man.

Brilliant well said!!!

Showed this to my children a few weeks ago. After troubleshooting and fixing a drainage problem on our front loading washing machine, my fourteen year old, fists raised triumphantly, shouted, “Dopamine!” Made me laugh.

So practical! So beautiful! So powerful! Thanks Simon Sinek. Hoping you visit the Philippines.

wow that was amazing to hear.

This is a must-see! Especially for millennials (myself)

The PERFECT description of Alex Occasional Cortex!!

I was in this millennial case. I remembered getting in and out of work places, just feel hard to fit in. I end up in the place, small business, I stayed longer than I did in other companies, but I remained to get through a lot of social acceptance. And now I get it, because of instant gratification so that we numb at some point and miss another.

Lesson learned, thanks Simon.:)

Millennials are the most misunderstood generation. We grew up on group projects even in college so we talk about problems looking for a group solution but everyone takes it as complaining and entitlement. We also haven’t been heard or allowed to make a society change without causing riots or protests. Even if it got changed like lgbtq marriage it’s cuz the older generations “allowed it”.

WOW, thanks for the prospective, makes sense, will help me personally in dealing with my 20 year old and the Millennials that work with me.

very helpful, many thanks Simon.

So true and so scary. Soon 50 and still it strikes me every time that Young people are together and every one of them hooked by the phone instead of connecting together how sick it has become.

I'm 26 and have worked since 12 tough it up buttercup and deal with it is how I was raised

I saw this the first time when i was 18 and i didnt care much then. Now that im 21 i actually felt something from this

An incredible, scary but real speech. A man really does not realise how addicted he is, that before we were given / patience, boredom, imagination, desire ... and today we have to work on them ... and how much more we have to learn ...

This is such an important lesson for all leaders in the companies to listen to really.....better than a university speech.

Very true sir. Help the generation sir. Your words are creating awareness about the real life. Please help us to come out from our own illusion world. Thankyou

Thanks For The Impact

This is still by far the best people related video on youtube, it deserves 100x the view count.

I sent this to manager i used to work with. He works with young people in restaurant. He thanked me bc it really helped him deal with young emploies. Im millenial as well and some of this things aplay to me. And it really changed how i see things now

Very insightful...learned a lot from Simon Sinek! Thanks you.

Yes! Yes! YES, FINALLY! You hit true and real! THANK YOU, Sir! You helped me move forward from a Plateau and Complacency! As well as I helping me realizing how I keep asking...what did I do wrong, how, why? And how did I choose Which...`

Simon, you are a very inspirational speaker and no doubt I'm learning a great deal from you and hope to learn far more. However, this video though having some great points spirals out of control pretty early on. You start talking about some millennial which suddenly converts slightly after to encompass the whole group. As for instant gratification being about bad parents I would suggest you look into the working memory test on young kids using treats/sweeties. This test was able to predict poor working memory and the ability to succeed in school and in their working life. In fact if I remember I think tests were done on kids who were at genius level as many also had problems succeeding and again it turned out they too had problems with their working memory. Instant gratification is a very strong indicator of an underdeveloped working memory. This is not necessarily a parenting issue. Also, though I agree with addictions of any type being a crutch I have to mention that it was found out some time ago now that most alcoholics are also sweet tooths with alcohol being an extension to that. I think there might have been one or two other points but as the question spirals from early on then much that comes after must at least be questioned.

Not one dislike. He just made me comfortable with being who I am and where I am in 15 minutes, not complacent, but comfortable.

absolutely fantastic

Well done, Simon!

Makes one think. Not too keen on the lost idea of self accountability. However, even as a non-millennial, I agree with much of this. I am implementing change, inspired by this!! Shalom

All of these arguments are applicable to any succeeding generation.