Gen Y: Fighting for What They Believe In

In a recent study by Chip Walker, the No. 1 attitude unifying Gen Y was: “I would fight for a cause I believe in.” According to Walker, it’s clear that Gen Y has “an activist bent”, but what exactly are they fighting for? Here is Walker’s theory:  “Belief in institutions like government and big business crumbled long ago. Rather, in a world of almost infinite lifestyle choices, Gen Y activism is about young people knowing their own inner priorities and making a vow to live by them — even in the face of adversity. It’s “self-activism…treating themselves and their dreams like causes.”

So how do you reach a generation who is treating themselves and their dreams like a cause? You speak their language. They believe in diverse communities, environmental causes and socially responsible companies. So give them something to believe in. When you hire a new employee, don’t just sell a job in your company~sell a vision. A vision of using their voice and ideas to make a difference in your company. It’s not about the money for Gen Y; it’s about something much bigger.

They’re thinking big and bold. That’s not such a bad thing. In today’s economy, every organization needs to think out of the box and create new business models. So take a cue from Gen Y; believe in your own vision and allow this tech-savvy and media-savvy generation help you fight for it. Together, you just might just change the world.