How Much do Millennials Face Fears in the Workplace?

According to MentalHealth.net, which is an American Addiction Centers resource, stepping out of your comfort zone is one way to face your fears. As a matter of fact, avoiding your fear, and new experiences associated with those fears, will not decrease the anxiety that forms around them. Avoidance will keep your fear in “high gear.”

 When I interviewed millennials between 2019 and 2021, there was one comment they mentioned repeatedly. Millennials wanted the people around them (including their managers, supervisors and leaders) to be open and inclusive. In their words, it required professionals to “face their fears” and to stop having knee-jerk reactions over differing opinions and as varying perspectives were shared.

 According to more than two thirds of the participants who interviewed in one-on-one interviews for my passion project, now called FEEL First, stated their managers, supervisors and leaders were not interested in hearing their perspectives. A recurring question was, “What are they afraid of?” It’s a valid question and one that needs to be answered.

Now, fast forward to today and the results of my FEEL First study’s online test findings. The FEEL First Test was built to gauge how different generations FEEL with respect to facing FEARS, having EMPATHY, living with ETHICS (and good judgment) and unleashing LOVE.

 Focusing on the Facing FEARS part of my study, I analyzed this test question:

 Professionally, do you challenge yourself daily to step out of your comfort zone?

I thought the percentage of millennials would be northward of 75%, with a high certainty, based on my numerous conversations about getting out of comfort zones, before diving into the research findings.

However, here are the test results and certainly not what I expected:

 Out of about 350 millennials who took the FEEL First test online, they shared how they “Often” stepped out of their comfort zones, about 37% of the time, and only 16% of the of them stated they “Always” did. Although the combined responses was at about 53%, it was definitely a lower, combined percentage than I had anticipated. Millennials were adamant about the importance of facing fears, yet as a generation answering the question for themselves, they were not stepping into their own “uncomfortable zones” as frequently.

 Professionally, do you challenge yourself daily to step out of your comfort zone?

In my study, who was embracing the Uncomfortable Zone? Generation X (Gen X) took the lead when it came to professionally stepping outside of their comfort zones. They “Often" stepped out, about 50% of the time, and about 17% of them “Always" did this.

 Actioning Your Own Advice is Easier Said Than Done

The difference in the "I prefer this around me, yet I’m not quite achieving this for myself" explanation may stem from millennials as a generation experiencing disruption, whether it’s technology, college loans and finances, housing, etc. Perhaps, they are less likely to step out of their comfort zones, if there is risk involved.

In the workplace they also prefer an environment that encourages them to step into the unknown and experience what is new. However, it takes a specific type of culture within an organization. It’s the Clan Culture in a company that may foster more steps toward facing fears and trying the unknown, whether it comes in the form of a new projects, different technology, joining various teams or just getting involved in extracurricular activities through the workplace. A Clan Culture offers mentorship and guidance, helping millennials to thrive and to experience new and exciting challenges and information with encouragement and support (seen as less of a risk and more of an opportunity).

Understanding the basics of facing fears between different generations is a fascinating journey. My FEEL First eBook (Part I) notes the findings from my passion project and compares the differences between how millennials and Gen X face fears professionally and personally. You can access the eBook here, if you want to download a complimentary copy.

Weigh in with your thoughts, whether you’re a Millennial, Gen X or any generation. What helps you to face your fears?