This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the premire performance of Up With People’s debut in Denver, CO.
For those of you unfamiliar with the organization, Up With People was founded in 1968 during turbulent times in the US for the purposes of spreading goodwill throughout the world. As much as we sometimes complain about those under 25, Up With People is one of the finest examples I can think of where young people contribute positively to society thru their efforts.
Those I have known who have traveled with organization have emerged with a level of confidence and self-efficacy that will help them thrive in every aspect of their lives. The cast Saturday evening consisted of 95 members from 27 countries and ranged in age from 18 thru 29. Becoming a cast member is not easy. Lightning does not strike. It takes devotion, perseverance, sacrifice, vision, self-discipline and an unwavering positive attitude.
In a world surrounded by the negative images in the media, coupled with society’s endless focus on convenience and self-gratification, it is easy to understand why so many Millennials seem to give employers headaches.
The values espoused by Up With People are a wonderful antidote to this sort of mind-numbing drivel. Managers can learn a lot from simply recognizing that there are successful organizations out there who ably attract resourceful, hardworking young people on a regular basis. But it takes effort to separate the wheat from the chaff. Lamenting that they’re all “lazy, good-for-nuthin, technology dependent, pseudo workers” will not attract the many out there who are looking for an employer who will respect them and provide a work environment where they can thrive.
Let’s all take the lead from organizations like Up With People and celebrate this emerging generation’s strengths and, at the same time, teach them the tenents they need to know to thrive on the job.
For those of you unfamiliar with the organization, Up With People was founded in 1968 during turbulent times in the US for the purposes of spreading goodwill throughout the world. As much as we sometimes complain about those under 25, Up With People is one of the finest examples I can think of where young people contribute positively to society thru their efforts.
Those I have known who have traveled with organization have emerged with a level of confidence and self-efficacy that will help them thrive in every aspect of their lives. The cast Saturday evening consisted of 95 members from 27 countries and ranged in age from 18 thru 29. Becoming a cast member is not easy. Lightning does not strike. It takes devotion, perseverance, sacrifice, vision, self-discipline and an unwavering positive attitude.
In a world surrounded by the negative images in the media, coupled with society’s endless focus on convenience and self-gratification, it is easy to understand why so many Millennials seem to give employers headaches.
The values espoused by Up With People are a wonderful antidote to this sort of mind-numbing drivel. Managers can learn a lot from simply recognizing that there are successful organizations out there who ably attract resourceful, hardworking young people on a regular basis. But it takes effort to separate the wheat from the chaff. Lamenting that they’re all “lazy, good-for-nuthin, technology dependent, pseudo workers” will not attract the many out there who are looking for an employer who will respect them and provide a work environment where they can thrive.
Let’s all take the lead from organizations like Up With People and celebrate this emerging generation’s strengths and, at the same time, teach them the tenents they need to know to thrive on the job.
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