This Is Why You Don't Succeed | Simon Sinek on The Millennial Generation

Summary

The speaker discusses the addictive nature of technology, drawing parallels with dopamine release from alcohol, nicotine, and gambling. They highlight the impact of excessive technology use on relationships and mental health, particularly among millennials and younger generations. The script emphasizes the need for balance, the dangers of early exposure to social media and smartphones, and the importance of companies and parents taking responsibility for the well-being of young people in their care.

Takeaways

• 📱 Technology, while beneficial, can become addictive and disrupt the balance in our lives if not managed properly.
• 🧠 Dopamine, a chemical associated with pleasure, is released when we use technology, similar to how it's released with alcohol, nicotine, and gambling, suggesting potential for addiction.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The overuse of technology can harm relationships and lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially if it replaces human interaction.
• 🚫 There are age restrictions on alcohol, cigarettes, and gambling due to their addictive nature, but no such restrictions exist for social media and cell phones, which can be harmful to developing minds.
• 👶 Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to technology addiction, as their brains are still developing and they are learning to navigate social stressors.
• 📈 There is a correlation between technology addiction and increased rates of mental health issues, such as depression, suicide, and accidental deaths due to overdoses.
• 🏫 Schools and universities are seeing a rise in students requesting leaves of absence due to depression, indicating a broader societal issue.
• 👪 Parents play a significant role in this issue, often enabling technology addiction by providing unrestricted access to devices and social media.
• 💼 The workplace is also impacted, with companies needing to adapt to support the mental health and well-being of their younger workforce.
• 🌟 A generation is growing up with lower self-confidence and an inability to ask for help, which is compounded by their reliance on technology for validation and connection.

Q & A

What is the main concern raised about technology in the script?

The main concern is that technology, while beneficial, can become addictive and unbalanced in our lives, potentially leading to negative impacts on relationships and mental health.

How is dopamine related to technology addiction as described in the script?

Dopamine is released when we receive notifications from our phones or emails, similar to how it is released with alcohol, nicotine, and gambling, suggesting that the constant stimulation from technology can be addictive.

What is the comparison made between alcohol, gambling, and technology in terms of addiction?

The script compares the release of dopamine from technology use to that of alcohol, gambling, and nicotine, indicating that technology can be addictive if not used in moderation.

Why does the script suggest that there should be age restrictions on social media and cell phones?

The script suggests age restrictions because immature minds are not yet strong or mature enough to handle the addictive potential of these technologies, similar to how age restrictions exist for alcohol, cigarettes, and gambling.

What are the potential consequences of unchecked technology use in adolescents as mentioned in the script?

Unchecked technology use can lead to addiction, increased feelings of isolation and loneliness, and may contribute to higher rates of suicide, accidental deaths due to overdoses, and mass homicides.

How does the script describe the impact of technology on communication and relationships?

The script describes technology as potentially destructive to relationships, with examples such as people checking their phones instead of engaging with others and the lack of face-to-face communication leading to feelings of isolation.

What is the script's view on the role of parents in managing technology use among children?

The script holds parents partly responsible for the overuse of technology by children, suggesting that parents should intervene and limit access to social media and phones at young ages.

Why does the script argue that companies have a responsibility towards their younger workforce?

The script argues that companies have a responsibility to create environments that support the mental health and growth of their younger workforce, as these individuals may be coming into the workforce with technology addiction and lower self-confidence.

What is the script's perspective on the current work culture and its effect on younger employees?

The script suggests that current work cultures, which prioritize numbers over people and lack support for personal growth, are not conducive to the well-being of younger employees and may exacerbate their existing challenges.

How does the script address the issue of instant gratification and its impact on younger generations?

The script discusses the problem of instant gratification, where younger generations expect immediate results and struggle with patience and long-term goals, which can lead to frustration and a lack of fulfillment in their careers and personal lives.

Outlines

00:00

📱 The Impact of Technology on Dopamine and Addiction

The speaker discusses the dual nature of technology as both beneficial and potentially addictive. They highlight the release of dopamine, a chemical associated with pleasure and reward, when we engage with technology, comparing it to the effects of alcohol, nicotine, and gambling. The speaker argues that while technology is helpful, an over-reliance on it can disrupt personal relationships and lead to addictive behaviors. They express concern about the lack of balance in our use of technology, especially with the younger generation, and the potential for it to replace human interaction, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

05:02

🚫 The Absence of Age Restrictions on Technology

This paragraph delves into the lack of age restrictions on technology, particularly social media and cell phones, which are compared to addictive substances like alcohol and gambling. The speaker points out that while there are legal age limits to protect young minds from the potential harms of alcohol, cigarettes, and gambling, no such protections exist for technology. They express concern that adolescents are being exposed to potentially addictive digital environments without the necessary maturity to handle them, leading to a generation growing up with addiction and an inability to cope with stress through healthy means.

10:02

🏢 The Workplace and the Millennial Generation

The speaker addresses the challenges faced by the millennial generation in the workplace, emphasizing the need for companies to adapt to support their youngest employees. They discuss the generation's impatience and lack of developed skills for seeking help, which is compounded by a work culture that often prioritizes productivity over personal growth. The speaker calls for a reevaluation of leadership and workplace practices to better support the emotional and psychological well-being of employees, particularly the younger generation that may be entering the workforce with pre-existing issues related to technology addiction and social isolation.

Keywords

💡Technology

Technology refers to the tools, systems, and methods used in the creation and processing of goods and services. In the video, it is discussed as both a helpful and potentially addictive force in our lives. The speaker highlights how technology can make life easier but also disrupts balance and relationships when overused, drawing parallels to the addictive nature of substances like alcohol and nicotine.

💡Dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure in the brain. The script explains how dopamine is released when we receive notifications from our phones, creating a potential for addiction similar to that of gambling or alcohol. This chemical response is central to the discussion on how technology can be addictive.

💡Balance

Balance, in the context of the video, refers to the equilibrium between the benefits and drawbacks of technology in our lives. The speaker argues that many people have an imbalance, where the overuse of technology leads to negative consequences, such as the disruption of personal relationships.

💡Addiction

Addiction is a compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli, despite adverse consequences. The video uses the concept of addiction to describe the potential over-reliance on technology and social media, suggesting that the constant seeking of digital rewards can be as harmful as substance addictions.

💡Phantom Beeps

Phantom beeps refer to the sensation of hearing one's phone ringing or vibrating when it is not actually doing so. This term is used in the video to illustrate the level of dependency some individuals have on their devices, indicating a potential problem with technology overuse.

💡Millennials

Millennials are the demographic cohort following Generation X, typically born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s to early 2000s. The video discusses the unique challenges faced by this generation, particularly in terms of technology addiction and the impact on their mental health and social skills.

💡Isolation

Isolation refers to the state of being separated from others or the feeling of being lonely. The script connects the overuse of technology with increased feelings of isolation and loneliness, suggesting that the constant use of devices can lead to a decrease in meaningful human interaction.

💡Self-Image

Self-image is an individual's perception of their own identity, including their strengths, weaknesses, and self-worth. The video discusses how the unrealistic expectations and instant gratification provided by technology can lead to a distorted self-image, particularly among younger generations.

💡Instant Gratification

Instant gratification is the desire to fulfill desires immediately with little or no delay. The script criticizes the culture of instant gratification fostered by technology, suggesting that it can lead to impatience and an inability to handle long-term goals or challenges.

💡Leadership

Leadership refers to the ability to guide, direct, and influence others towards achieving goals. The video calls for better leadership in both parental and corporate settings, emphasizing the need for leaders to create environments that support the growth and well-being of individuals, particularly the younger generation.

💡Mental Health

Mental health encompasses a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The script highlights the impact of technology overuse on mental health, particularly in terms of increased rates of depression, suicide, and other mental health issues among younger generations.

Highlights

Technology can be addictive like alcohol, nicotine, and gambling due to the release of dopamine.

An imbalance of technology in our lives can be destructive to relationships.

The need for a balance in technology usage is often overlooked.

Checking phones before human interaction can indicate an unhealthy relationship with technology.

Phantom phone vibrations can be a sign of technology addiction.

The lack of age restrictions on social media and cell phones is compared to giving adolescents free access to alcohol.

An entire generation is growing up addicted to technology, leading to increased feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Increased rates of suicide and accidental deaths are linked to technology addiction in the younger generation.

Schools and universities are seeing more students requesting leaves of absence due to depression.

Parents are partly to blame for not restricting technology use in young children.

The younger generation has a lower self-confidence due to a failed parenting strategy.

The impatience of the younger generation is a result of instant gratification from technology.

Work cultures that prioritize numbers over people are not helping the younger workforce.

Companies have a responsibility to take care of their employees, especially the younger generation.

Leadership is crucial in creating a work environment that supports the growth and well-being of employees.

Executives should consider the impact of their company's culture on the younger workforce, including their own children.

Transcripts

[Music]

i mean

the technology is great you know it's

lots of fun very helpful makes a lot of

things easy

but like anything in the world there's

um

there is too much of a good thing you

know um

and i think one of the things we don't

talk about is what is the balance of

technology in our lives

and i would argue that for many of us

it's out of balance

we know that the chemical dopamine is

released whenever we get a bing buzz

flash or beat from our phone or email

right so dopamine is the exact same

chemical that's released

in alcohol nicotine and gambling

right in other words it can be addictive

if left unbalanced a little alcohol is

great

too much alcohol not so great gambling

is fun

too much gambling really bad right

technology is wonderful

too much technology can be very

destructive and destroy

our relationships like all addictions

destroy our relationships

right and so what the one thing we're

not considering is what is the right

balance if you wake up in the morning

and you check your phone before you say

good morning to your spouse

that's a problem right if you have

phantom beeps

that's a problem that comes from

something

right if you find yourself incapable

of getting through a day without needing

to check

that's a problem right now where it gets

really dangerous

is with kids millennials

some of them aren't kids anymore right

um so

almost all alcoholics on the planet

discovered alcohol

when they were children when we're very

very young the only thing we need is the

approval of our parents

right when we go through adolescence we

now need

approval from our peers frustrating for

our parents very important for us

because it allows us to acculturate

outside of our immediate families into

the larger group

right very stressful time

and we're supposed to learn in this time

of anxiety to rely on our friends

to reach out to our friends for help

that's we're supposed to learn some

people quiet by accident discover

alcohol

and they learn the numbing effects of

dopamine actually help

them get through the stress of

adolescence this connection

unfortunately becomes hardwired

and so for the rest of their lives when

they face

any kind of financial career or social

stress

they don't turn to a person they turn to

the bottle

right now we have age restrictions on

alcohol

cigarettes and gambling because we know

that an immature mind is not yet

strong enough or mature enough to deal

with the powers

of these addicting chemicals these

addictive chemicals right so we put an

age limit

we have no such age limit or age

restriction

on social media or cell phones

right so ostensibly what we've done is

we've thrown open the liquor cabinet and

we've said to our adolescents

hey i know this whole adolescent thing

is really stressful so here's the vodka

take as much as you need that's

basically what we've done and so what we

have is an entire generation

that's growing up addicted and

like all addicts they haven't learned

the skill set

of when they suffer stress to turn to a

person what they do is they turn to the

device

and what that only does is increase

senses of isolation and loneliness and

can actually destroy relationships we've

all had the experience where you're with

somebody walking down the street in a

meeting

out for dinner whatever and they pull

out their phone

and you feel like an idiot right or when

you're talking to them and they're going

uh-huh

uh-huh you sort of like what am i what's

the point of this

now take an entire generation that has

no memory of a time

before the device we at least can

reference times before

cell phones and internet and social

media we at least have a point of

reference

they don't so this is their normal that

that's how they feel

so you have an entire generation growing

up with addiction

and an increased sense of loneliness and

isolation

we're already seeing the results we're

seeing increased rates of suicide

amongst this generation we're seeing

increased rates of accidental deaths due

to

overdoses amongst this generation we're

seeing increased

numbers of mass homicides largely

performed by this generation

school shootings yeah over 70

perpetrated by kids born after the year

1984.

we um schools universities are now

dealing

with numbers they've never dealt with

before of

kids requesting leaves of absence due to

depression

we're already seeing it right

we're seeing the effects of loneliness

and isolation we're seeing it

and yet we're not reacting to it we're

not doing anything about it

right and parents are a lot to blame for

this because parents

there are some schools who want to

restrict phones in schools and it's the

parents who demand that they keep their

phones in case of emergencies

seriously seriously when was the last

time the cell phone was used for an

emergency

what time are you coming home what time

should we pick you up and if there is an

emergency you call the office

and they know what classroom the kid's

in and in five minutes they'll bring the

kid to talk to you on the phone like

the old way worked just fine remember we

talked before about innovation it has to

solve a real human problem

what human problem exactly did we solve

by compressing the five minute time

frame

we added the problem we didn't solve it

so that's one huge problem

so combine that with the facts you have

a an addicted generation that doesn't

have the

skill set to ask for help combined with

the fact that they're so good at

facebook and instagram they're good at

putting filters on everything

so they're good at showing you how smart

and strong they are these kids who

commit suicide you go look at their

instagrams you would have no clue

that they were depressed because they're

happy and they're star athletes

right you'd have no clue because they're

really good so when we say silly things

like

my door is always open you're assuming

they have the courage to come in

combined with the fact that they're

subject largely not all but too many

to a failed parenting strategy because

their parents told them they were

special

they could have anything they wanted

they can be anything they want

they got medals for coming in last which

by the way we know doesn't work it

devalues

the medal for the one who comes in first

and the one who came in last it makes

them feel stupid because they know they

didn't deserve it right

the kids got into honors classes not

because they deserved it but because the

parents complained

and some of them got good grades not

because they earned them but because the

teachers didn't want to deal with the

parents

and then the kids graduate college and

they get a job

and in an instant they find out they're

not special

they don't get anything for coming in

last the parents can't get them a

promotion

and you can't have whatever you want

just because you want it

and in an instant their entire

self-image is shattered and so you have

an entire generation growing up

with lower self-confidence than previous

generations

so you have lower self-confidence than

previous generations combined with

an inability to ask for help with things

that you're struggling with and you turn

to social media or device

you keep checking you keep checking you

count your likes you count your likes

you count you follow your account your

followers

if somebody unfriends you oh my god it's

trauma right

the way they break up with each other is

they just ghost each other just

cut each other out and stop returning to

text returning text and returning phone

calls because they don't have the skill

set to say hey it's not working out

it's not me it's you right there's no

closure on things

right combined with the fact there's an

institutionalized impatience

so they've grown up in a world of

instant gratification

you want to buy something you go on

amazon it shows up the next day

you want to get in touch with someone

you don't leave a message on their

machine and wait four hours for them to

get the message you just text them and

they get back to you immediately

you want to watch a movie you just log

on and watch it you don't have to check

movie times

right everything happens you want to get

a date swipe right you don't even have

to

muster up the courage to go like hey you

know you don't have to

there you go got a date right and so the

problem is

they're accused of being entitled i

don't think they're entitled at all

not at all i think they're impatient i

keep meeting these fantastic

smart driven ambitious idealistic

fantastic kids

who graduated school they got a job they

want to make an impact in the world

and i go up to them and say how is it

going and they say

i think i'm going to quit i'm like why

they're like i'm not making an impact

i'm like

you've been here eight months and it's

as if

it's as if they see the summit of a

mountain as if they're standing at the

foot of a mountain they can see the

summit they can see the thing they want

i want to make an impact what they don't

see is the mountain

this large immovable object you can go

up fast you can go up slow i don't care

but there's still a mountain what they

don't understand

is that life that relationships

and career fulfillment are a journey

there's no app for that i got nothing

you've got to go through the

slow plotting annoying

meandering process called career and

life

but if they don't get it in eight months

they go look for it somewhere else and

they don't get it

they go look for it's impatience and

because they don't have the skill set

to ask for help and because they feel

lonely it compounds and compounds

so then we dump them in office

environments that are

built on theories from the 80s and 90s

that prioritizes a number before a

person and no one

really cares about their confidence and

their personal growth

they're just numbers on a spreadsheet

and so they enter

work cultures that don't help them and

the problem is they're entering the

workforce at a deficit

i hear from kids they tell me that they

struggle to form deep meaningful

relationships and the companies don't

care

and so it's destructive to them as

individuals but ultimately it'll hurt

the companies because more and more

millennials are entering the workforce

i believe to your point about solution

that now

the responsibility on companies is even

greater than it's ever been before

to take care of its people because if

the environments in which we're asking

our

youngest workers to work in isn't built

to help them

i can't even imagine what the suicide

and

homicide and just the rates of

depression

you know an accidental death due to

overdose are going to look like in the

future

it's going to reach epidemic proportions

it's already the the statistics are

already alarming and yet nobody's

sounding any alarm bells

parents have to intervene we have to

stop giving our kids free access to

social media and phones at young ages

they are not ready for

it their minds cannot cope with the

dopamine balance is fine

you can give a kid a phone but they

can't use it in their bedroom they can't

have it at the dinner table they can't

take it to school

they can only have it up to a certain

hour and you take it away

they're children you can take the phone

away

we've got to intervene as parents but as

companies we now have to deal with the

influx of kids

that are coming into our companies with

addiction

watch i see it all the time walk through

any office you'll see the older

employees have their phones on the sides

of their computers as they're working

you'll see the youngest employees have

their phones face up

in front of their keyboards between

their arms as they're working and this

is how they work

and this is the science is alarming they

did experiments on mice

where they they did the multitasking

they put flashing lights to mimic going

from the computer to the cell phone the

computer to the cell phone to the tv

the mice that were exposed to the

changing lights it took them three times

longer to solve a maze than the mice

that weren't

and the damage was permanent it didn't

improve when they stopped the lights

and leadership now is even more

important yeah and the leaders now are

even more

irresponsible you are responsible for

the lives of human beings

and some of these human beings are your

children so okay you bad ceo who thinks

all the stuff that i talk about is

craziness

and you don't have time to make these

changes this is i hear we don't have

time it's a war out there i've actually

heard executives tell me that

it's a war out there i don't have time

for this leadership stuff

i know guys who go to war and i'll tell

ya it's not a war

what you're going through you know you

tinker with money

it's not a war you do have time for this

and if it's really

that way then what were you doing when

it wasn't a war it's even more

it's what an indictment that in peaceful

times when times were good that you

weren't focusing on this stuff

right but my point is is a lot of these

executives

have children of this age working at

other companies

and my question is would you like those

other companies would you like those

other executives

to care about the growth of your child

the confidence of your child

the career success of your child would

you like those other companies to help

your kids

learn the skills of social interaction

the ability to ask for and receive help

would you like their jobs to give that

to them

set the example do it for other people's

children

every single employee 100 is someone

someone someone's daughter

a hundred percent and if you want

someone to take responsibility for the

life of your children

in their company then why don't we start

taking responsibility for the lives of

the children in our companies

[Music]

you