Take a lesson from you elders.

Many people refer to our generation as generation me or the entitled generation; and I see why.  

My company has a high turnover rate of young professionals whom have recently graduated.  A coworker and I were recently discussing this because it is a frustrating situation to be involved in.  Evolving from the goldstar controlled environment to a work environment that we are unprepared for, and that is mostly unprepared for us, is difficult.  We go from a world where there are clear concise rules, and those who do not follow them are punished, and those who do are rewarded, no matter what.  Instead of using fear of punishment as a motivation for doing good work the hopes for praise and glorification are the main motivator.  No longer does the intrinsic value of having done a good job mean enough.  

What I don't understand is that as the business world is becoming increasingly flat and the work pool is growing exponentially people look to develop skills that will give them an edge over their competition (per se) such as learning foreign languages, participating in internships, being involved with extra curricular activities, and developing their leadership sills, many overlook the most basic skill of how to be a good worker.

If becoming an adult is about growing through facing adversity and new situations, then why do we expect to enter the workforce and have employers bend over backwards to accommodate our different way of having been raised? If you're a good worker and seen as a value to your company they will bend over backwards for you; and give a 5 month sabbatical. 

How can we be stronger workers if we can't function happily without the constant need for glorification of our work.

Today I drove about 300 miles into a white abyss, only being able to see one quarter mile ahead of me at a time.  Though it was unsavory driving conditions, it provided a revelation of sorts for me.   It is like entering the real world, you may have an idea of where you end destination is, but getting there hasn't been planned out perfectly; it is foggy.  There are two paths you can take, the highway or the gravel road.  The highway is safer, the roads are wider and there is less cross traffic.  It has road indicators that aren't present on gravel roads.  The stripes on the inside of the road can be a major indicator of the road orientation.  There are also more stops (gas stations, fast food, rest stops) but it isn't as elite.  Anyone can the highway; it takes a certain type of person to master the gravel road.  The gravel road has no center strip, it has no guaranteed security of a gas station at every exit, or visible and safe cross roads.  People who take the gravel road can be seen as mavericks, leaders who pave their own way.  Unskilled folks who chose to pursue the gravel road don't just risk getting lost, they might hit a low point and flip their vehicle, they might breakdown and not see another vehicle for another hour, and when there is bad weather, well if you aren't use to the conditions, well you're just plane old screwed. 

So why, when you're just out of college and the path is foggy,  is it really worth taking the gravel road, so that someday down the road you may receive praise because you overcame that adversity of taking the gravel road, or is it wiser to take the highway until the weather clears up, and then jump on the gravel road, safer, with more assets, and pass the hoosier who started off on the gravel.