Millennial Falcon

Millennials have gotten a bad rap, but is it deserved? How are they fairing in today's tough business climate, and what do hiring managers need to know as this generation starts taking the helm? I talk to a Millennial, and you might be surprised to hear what they expect, and how top performers have overcome many of that generation's unique challenges, now impacting Zoomer's, too.

The Guest (in his own words)

I’m Ivor, just a regular Chicago Guy with an unbending spirit. I enjoy history, politics, cinema, literature and travelling. I’m a firm believer that everyone should be able to enjoy life and truly LIVE as opposed to just existing. As someone who has been in Existence Mode more than a few times, I wish to inspire others to rise out of their malaise, unplug from the matrix and start taking charge of their lives.

Forever optimistic, 

I am largely in Steven Pinker’s camp when it comes to the state of the world in that I believe it is getting better, despite all news to the contrary. This past year I dropped from 270 pounds to under 200, finished my master’s degree at Northeastern after an 8-year hiatus, got a dream job working from the comfort of my own home with a stunning view of the Gold Coast. At the start of last year, I was working at Lou Malnatis, delivering pizza to rich folks in the New Trier Township which hosts some of the most luxurious real estate in the nation. 

Being on the autism spectrum presented many challenges for me as I experienced life via trial and error. What has always kept me going was high morale. When 2024 began, my morale was at an all time low until I made friends with a woman of a similar education background who owned two homes and worked a luxurious job from home. In essence, she forced me to level up, in real life, not a video game. As such, I try to do the same with friends who I feel are not living their best life. 

Having succeeded and continuing to succeed, I want all of them to share in my success. I have often found that characters in literature and cinema are much better at inspiring people than I am. As such, below are a couple movie scenes from which I take inspiration and often show to my friends hoping they will do the same.

Resources

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) - Alec Baldwin's speech (HD)- From 1992, Alec Baldwin plays a hot shot real estate agent who made nearly a million dollars in commission last year. He gives a profanity laced tirade to three underperforming salesmen at Mitchell and Murray. “You know what it takes to sell real estate? It takes brass balls”! Baldwin informs his fellow agents that they will be fired if they don’t close their deals. “They’re sitting out there waiting to give you their money! Are you gonna take it”? My answer, yes! Sadly, most people would rather keep letting us fail rather than drop a 2,000 pound truth bomb on us. 

https://youtu.be/3PESuwYcK04?si=3uCMg5A3ma96XLNS

FULL METAL JACKET - THE VIRGIN MARY SCENE- From 1987, Stanley Kubrick’s Vietnam War classic best remembered by the improvised performance of former Marine R. Lee Ermey as senior drill instructor Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. In this scene Hartman asks Private Joker, portrayed by Matthew Modine, if he believes in the Virgin Mary to which Joker answers “sir negative sir”! An angry Hartman proceeds to slap Joker and demands that he sounds off that he loves the Virigin Mary. Joker stands his ground and is quickly promoted to squad leader for his willingness to defy a man who holds absolute power over him. “Private Joker is ignorant and he’s silly but he’s got guts and guts is enough”. I live by these words every day. It is how I have talked myself into every job and relationsh