Every week, I find myself in discussions with managers and leaders who lament their employees’ attitudes, aptitudes, and desires. They claim that today’s workforce is different, lacking motivation and unwilling to succeed. But wait, isn’t this a recurring theme across generations? Have we not pondered the parody in this?
It’s amusing how these managers, spanning different ages, races, and genders, are quick to point fingers at their employees. Yet, can they not see the irony in their actions? Did they not blame their teachers or bosses when they were young? Do they not side with their kids and assume their teachers and bosses are at fault? How would their parents have reacted to their demands for perfection?
It’s a comedy of biases, a grand theater of finger-pointing. Our biases run wild as we demand more from our employees while failing to allow our children to be independent. We complain about the lack of initiative while making every decision for our kids, shielding them from failure, and stepping in for them perpetually. We demand Olympic-level dedication from our employees while spoon-feeding our kids with silver spoons. We bemoan the lack of initiative in the workplace while suffocating our children’s autonomy like a helicopter squadron on steroids. How different is this from our upbringing or early days in the workforce?
Times change, and with them come different opportunities and challenges. The dynamics of cultures, societies, wars, political stability, and economies shape individuals, but let’s not forget our role in this grand comedy of blame.
Perhaps we should step back and reassess our practices. Instead of criticizing, let’s lead by example and create an environment that fosters growth and accountability. Let’s embrace the lessons learned from our experiences and offer guidance rather than finger-pointing.
We are all players in this parody of human behavior. So, let’s challenge our biases, question our assumptions, and strive for a more balanced perspective. After all, a little self-reflection never hurts anyone. As Oscar Wilde famously said, “Life is too important to be taken seriously.”
Statistics show that 99.9% of statistics are made up on the spot to suit the argument one is making. Let’s not rely too heavily on numbers and instead focus on being the change we wish to see in the world of work and beyond.
