Will Gen Y Be A Hero Generation?
Obviously, we’re in a crisis. Obviously, it sucks. But this might be just the crisis Gen Y has been groomed for…if not destined to overcome.
Nine years ago, in their book Millennials Rising Neil Howe and William Strauss argued that every 4 generations a “hero generation” is born. The last such generation of heroes was the band of WWII brothers (and sisters) known to most of us as Grandma and Grandpa. They were followed by the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Gen X and then—four generations later—Gen Y.
Each of these hero generations is raised by adults that are deeply concerned about the youth. Their parents believe that the world they know is just one more generation of wayward youths away from total collapse. So the parents take especially close, nurturing care of their children. In such times, parental neglect becomes sacrilege, and these children are constantly reminded that they are the future.
Then at some time during the hero generation’s young adulthood, crisis strikes. These crises—the Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWII—provide the catalyst for this special generation to step up and carve out their destined places in history. Strauss and Howe called the crisis the “hero trial.”
Gen Y’s Hero Trial
In our case, the concerned parents are Boomers. The first wave of wayward youths are the Gen X’ers. The hero generation is the Gen Y’ers.
What I found so remarkable about Millennials Rising is how eerily prophetic it was. Corny as it sounds, goose-bumps literally sprouted up on my arms while reading it this morning. It predicted a coming crisis sometime in the “Oh-Oh’s” (i.e. between 2000 and 2009) that would act as the Millennials’ hero trial. Keep in mind, this book was published a full year before 9/11 and eight years before the recent economic meltdown. Nostradamus couldn’t have scripted it better.
Although hopeful, the question Strauss and Howe posed is: Will the Millennials pass their hero trial?
Psychologist, Jean Twenge doesn’t think so. In 2006, she wrote in Generation Me that Strauss and Howe got it all wrong. She argued that Gen Y was more narcissistic and self-serving than Baby Boomers ever dreamed of being. She did some very convincing research showing that Gen Y college students scored way higher on Narcissism scales than Boomers did when they were in college. She also pointed to the poor youth voter turnout in 2000 and 2004 to show how Gen Y was not at all concerned with civic virtues like Strauss and Howe claimed. Instead, she argues that Gen Y cares as little for the world beyond their individual cocoons as Gen X, and even less so than Boomers.
But then came the 2008 election in which Gen Y mustered up a higher youth voter turnout than in any election since 1972 when 18-year olds were first granted the right to vote. Now that a crisis has unfolded it would be interesting to recheck the narcissism numbers. Just as Boomer young adults rebelled against the values of their parents and triggered the Me-first mindset, isn’t it possible that circumstances have caused Gen Y to choose their own new path as young adults?
In the spirit of transparency, I was born in 1978, which according to Strauss and Howe (1982-2000) makes me a Gen X’er. According to the Pew Foundation (1976-2000) that makes me a Y’er. Regardless of where I objectively fit (if it’s even possible to make an “objective” generational cutoff), I consider myself a recovering trophy kid. That makes me both optimistic and a little nervous about what I consider to be my generation’s ability flourish in the hero trial. I’m sort of nervous, because everything I’ve read about the entitled Gen Y’ers in the workforce, I can relate to. Such as the time when, within the first two months at my first job at the 60,000+ employee global consulting firm, I outlined what I was certain the global new hire training program should look like. Then I demanded that one of the firm’s partners look at it. I never did hear his response to the idea, but I can only imagine what he thought of me personally. Had I not learned to smooth down my entitled trophy kid edges, I would be mostly useless right now.
On the other hand, high self-esteem has significant benefits if based on some real ability that Gen Y definitely has. I’m also convinced Gen Y has the right ideals—valuing collaboration over individual gain; humility over hubris; learning over being “right;” and practicality over idealistic masturbation.
The verdict of the hero trial will depend on 4 questions:
- 1. Will we be able to translate unbridled optimism into effective action?
- 2. Will the weight and duration (could be years) of this crisis eventually bury that optimism altogether?
- 3. Will we become so disillusioned with the state of the world that we choose to withdraw from it instead of holding strong to change it?
- 4. Will we get defensive when critiqued, or will we learn to do what’s necessary to become influential in a world we might not care much for at the moment?
- A few years ago, John Mayer said that he and all his friends were “waitin’ on the world to change.” I think the time for waiting has passed. What do you think?
Nick: Great thoughtful blog post. I read Millennials Rising years ago, time for a re-read. I had some reaction though reading “Millennial Makeover” – the predictions were uncannily prescient. I think Millennials will be a hero generation. Like the GI generation, they may not have a choice, unfortunately.
The questions you pose, Nick, are the same ones that keep me up at night. As a millennial and a leadership coach and trainer, I too understand the persistent drizzle of complaint that managers through senior leaders level at their younger employees. Some of it happens to every new generation at work. It takes emerging leaders a while to fuse our authentic voice with the demands of the workplace. However, as a generation, I do believe that many of us still have a lot to be coached on- from listening to interpersonal communication to networking effectively to working hard and providing value without expecting an immediate payoff. For me, the key to answering yes to question number one is how evolving leaders help emerging ones to shape their values, strengths, and enthusiasms into leadership that is successful, sustainable, and makes a positive social impact. I believe that when our generation is led, not just managed, our optimism and vision translates into action and measurable results. (Curious to know what that global new hire training program looked like).
Very perceptive, Alexia. Your ideas of what Gen Y still needs to be coached on are spot-on. I’ve been actively researching this for months by conducting structured interviews with managers of Gen Y’ers from all different kinds of companies from Taget to General Mills to Teach for America. It was shocking for me to see how all of these managers from all different generations (some Gen Y’ers, Gen X’ers & boomers) converge on same differentiators between solid Gen Y leaders that they manage and the often smart, talented, personable…but ultimately ineffective trophy kids. The distinctions are very real and very pervasive. I’ll be sharing those here in the coming weeks…so stay tuned.
As for my training program idea: After now having 9 more yrs of experience in the T&D field, I can say that the shell of my idea was okay (i.e. Using analogies and illustrations rather than just following instructions). But let’s just say that I’ve also learned a lot since then. In typical Gen Y/youthfully exuberant form–my big, great idea would have seriously suffered on the execution front.
I’m also confident and hopeful. The only caveat (according to Strauss & Howe) is that the hero generations sometimes leave an unpleasant legacy. They sometimes become heroic groupthinkers. In addition to the many great achievements they made, the first American hero generation (circa 1648) succeeded in “heroically” legalizing the slave trade. On the other hand, the Civil War hero generation ended up getting coddled and sheltered for a little too long by their parents (b/c the intensity of the crisis was just too much) that they never really blossomed to their full adult potential. Nevertheless, I’m still optimistic (of course!).
It is said that cohort traits, values and beliefs are shaped by major events, such as World War II, John Kennedy’s assassination, 9/11 and other such life changing moments. Sometimes (often) in the worst of times are found the best of opportunities.
This is just such a time. I am optimistic that my children’s children (and yours) will step up to the very real, very deep economic and societal problems our nation faces.
Hard times are the times when heroes emerge.
Look for these heroes in all generations….They are here!
I think that research like Twenge’s has a serious flaw: while cross generational surveys can point to trends, the study must control for changes in the overall attitude of the society as well. Definitions and negative stigma associated with the words optimistic, self-promoting, ambitious, and success driven have changed from when the studies were first conducted. In those days it was not acceptable to say that you wanted to stand out from the crowd compared to today when such feelings are encouraged.
An interesting book that you may want to read is Plugged In by Tamara Erickson. She has done some interesting research on Gen Y, and is highly supportive of the future prospects of the generation.
You’re absolutely correct, Brett. Abnormal psychology (into which all disorders are lumped) is by definition a comparison to what is “normal.” So if the whole society changes–if the norms shift–then our definitions of “abnormal” also have to shift. What might have been abnormally narcissistic 40 years ago, might not be abnormal at all anymore. Now, it would appear that Narcissistic Personality tests are measuring the cultural value of individualism as much as it detects an abnormally narcissistic personality.
I guess the rebuttal to that is “then what does that say about our culture that what used to be considered narcissism has now become the norm?” That opens up a whole new debate, doesn’t it?
Thanks again, Brett.
Hi Nick,
I love the Generations books. Niel and Straus are truly prophetic.
I don’t think the 4th Turning has hit yet. This current economic downturn and the Global War on Terrorism are peacfull compared to the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and WWII. I’ve come to believe there’s a 2nd American Civil War coming. Probably Red versus Blue, but maybe it’ll be race based. I doubt the Gen Y kids will be up to the challenge. I hope I’m wrong.
Wolfors