Matthew Gordon

Many Millennials entered the workforce caught between the challenges of starting a career in a down economy and the expectation that rewards and achievements would come as easily as they had throughout their lives. Millennials are perhaps the most criticized generation of all time, but it’s not because they don’t understand how the “real world” works. It’s because the real world has changed before their eyes.

The good news is that Millennials still believe they can make a difference. They believe in their personal value, and they don’t define success as past generations have. They want a life that is characterized by creativity, social recognition, and personal happiness rather than material things, and they want to build this life on their own terms.

Nearly 60 percent of Millennials consider themselves entrepreneurs, and 71 percent of Millennials with “regular” jobs would prefer to quit and work for themselves. Unlike their contemporaries, money is not the primary motivator; rather, it’s the freedom to be their own boss and choose projects that bring them happiness and personal recognition.

To Millennials, DIY Success Is Creative

Three years ago, 26-year-old Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz became the youngest self-made billionaire. He earned his success by revolutionizing an already revolutionary technology: the Internet.

Millennial entrepreneurs like Moskovitz would much rather risk a new path than settle for the traditional route. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fit it” no longer applies. Millennials are a maker generation — and they want to make their mark on the world.

They also want to feel unique. They want to have their own personal style, they seek to be different, and they want to be recognized by others for the value that they alone can provide. Millennials’ work satisfaction is directly tied to these feelings of uniqueness.

You can redefine success for yourself by drawing out your most unique qualities and asking, “During what percentage of my day am I using these qualities?”

If you find that you’re not utilizing your unique qualities enough, incorporate them into more of your day-to-day tasks. You’ll see an improvement in your creativity and feel more fulfilled by what you do.

DIY Success Is Social

Millennials also value recognition. In 2012, South Korean pop star Psy broke the all-time record for most views on YouTube. His music video, “Gangnam Style,” has been viewed more than 1.9 billion times. That’s a kind of social currency that simply didn’t exist 10 years ago. Even today, 100 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute. That’s a lot of people seeking recognition from their peers.

However, social values go beyond “likes” and retweets. The Millennial entrepreneurs I interact with value team success over individual success. In short, they want to hang out with people who bring positive energy into their lives. They focus on not only hiring candidates who are highly qualified, but also on hiring those who will enhance company culture and make the office a better place to be every day.

To feel more “social” success, make a list of people you want to associate yourself with. Then, make a list of people you don’t want to be associated with. Remove the latter group of people from your life. If they work at your company, it may be time to ask yourself why.

DIY Success Is About Being Happy

The popularity of books like “The 4-Hour Workweek” reveals that Millennials are willing to “hack” their way to happiness. The old suits-in-summer business traditions are headed out the door. Millennial entrepreneurs are looking to create relaxed business cultures.

A happy, balanced life does not happen by accident — especially for an ambitious entrepreneur. If you aren’t doing what you’re passionate about, you will burn out fast.

List your top 10 passions, and rank them from the ones you’re most passionate about to least. Take your top passion, and set a specific goal. Remind yourself of your true passions on a regular basis, and make sure your time and energy are going into what you care about most.

Just because your vision of success might not include a dollar sign at the top doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a concrete, detailed plan. Internalize your vision of success, identify the necessary steps to get there, and break those steps down into quarters, months, weeks, and days.

Once you’ve developed a plan, you can set that plan into motion. By following your passions, surrounding yourself with people who make you better, and utilizing your unique strengths every day, you’ll feel more fulfilled by your business and, ultimately, be more successful.

About Matthew Gordon

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The motto in traditional corporate culture is “Move up or move out,” but the career landscape is changing. While previous generations entered the workforce planning to keep one job their entire lives, more than 90 percent of Millennials will keep a job for just three years.

This new environment means job seekers need a new strategy: lateral movement.

Rather than moving up incrementally in one department (i.e., climbing the ladder), lateral movement within a company gives you firsthand experience in many departments, which makes you a more marketable hire and a more effective worker.

Why You Should Move Over Before You Move Up

Today, gaining a wide range of experiences is critical if you want to move into higher-level positions. Here are some advantages to getting experience in different departments:

1. You’ll develop a good track record. Excelling in diverse positions shows management that you’re capable of handling whatever is thrown at you. When the opportunity for leadership arises, you’ll have a history of success at the company and lots of people who can vouch for you.

2. You’ll show employers you’re flexible. Lateral movement impresses employers because it shows you’re willing to do what it takes to help the company and work outside your comfort zone.

3. You’ll develop a diverse skill set. Moving laterally helps you build skills you might need in the future. A variety of experiences also diversifies your professional portfolio and prepares you for possible career changes. You never know when your dream job will pop up, and your experience might be just the “something extra” employers are looking for.

4. You’ll see the bigger picture in your industry. Working in diverse departments gives you a bird’s-eye view of your company and your field. You’ll see how decisions affect every sector of the business and how each department connects.

Personal Barriers to Lateral Movement

Despite the advantages of lateral movement, you might still be unwilling to give a different department a try. Here are three common personal barriers to embracing lateral movement and how you can overcome them.

1. You’re afraid of failing. It can be frightening to step off the ladder, knowing you could lose everything you’ve worked for if you fail in your new role.

Solution: Seek someone you admire — inside or outside your company — who can give advice about your new role. A mentor can help you avoid pitfalls, recover quickly from mistakes, and plan how to move forward in your career.

2. You’re lazy. It’s normal to feel a sense of laziness when it comes to taking on new tasks. But laziness is usually only masking boredom or a lack of motivation.

Solution: Find your passion. Combating laziness means finding something that will light a fire under you. If you’re already employed and have some vacation days saved up, why not take a “workcation” and focus on exploring your passions for a week or two?

3. You want something more prestigious more quickly. Some people want to climb the ladder quickly for a better title and a better salary. They long for the status and pride that comes from achieving a high position. Putting time and effort into moving laterally doesn’t seem like it will pay off quickly enough.

Solution: Change your perspective to adopt long-term thinking. Understand that without learning about every area of the business, you’re less likely to succeed in future leadership positions. Consider lateral movement an investment in your career — building experiences and skills that will prepare you for your dream job.

While climbing the ladder may seem easier, think of it this way: Ladder-climbing gives you tunnel vision, while lateral movement allows you to see the bigger picture. Besides, what’s the fun in climbing a ladder that never ends when you could explore every avenue of your company and find your passion instead?

About Matthew Gordon

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