Simon Sinek. The guy who might talk you out of quitting your job and chasing an early exit from the working world. You’ve probably seen him—his TED talks are everywhere, his books sell well, and if you watched that YouTube video about millennials at work, you know his voice.
For those of us who like poking around the weird, social science side of offices, Simon is a big name. His background says a lot: good schools, solid jobs after graduation, plenty of real-world experience. He looks younger than his age—born in 1973—so maybe it’s the hair. Whatever the reason, he’s spent enough time in the field and done enough study to speak with authority. And he’s mastered the art of persuasion—give anyone that skill, and they could sell you snow in Minnesota in January.
I recently did a three-day EQ training with a new team at work. There were admissions, high fives, tears, laughs, and we bonded—then we all went back to our inboxes and non-stop WebEx calls. Part of that training included watching Simon Sinek videos. The moment you start, his voice and timing pull you in. His stories land like a preacher’s sermon—he could probably get an entire room to drink the Kool-Aid.
Sinek argues that many millennials arrive at work already unhappy—searching for a job that sparks passion right away. Yes, he generalizes. We don’t know how much this applies only to college grads in white-collar jobs versus all twenty-somethings. He calls the search a “scavenger hunt” for the perfect job.
That got me thinking about Jiro, the sushi master. Jiro didn’t hunt for a perfect fit—he dove in and stuck with it, even when the work was rough for years. He fell in love with his craft and, into his 90s, still found the most joy in his work. I love tying these ideas together to make sense of them.
The takeaway: stop treating work like a scavenger hunt for instant love. This stuff is hard. It’s work. It’s rare to be fully set up for success in your 20s—maturity takes time and experience.
Sinek uses a mountain metaphor around the 5:40 mark of that clip: you strap on crampons and slowly climb to your career peak. He even allows for shortcuts—like a helicopter to the top. But the message is the same: there is a summit, and getting there isn’t a flat stroll. Life is full of peaks and valleys.
Too often, Sinek says, optimistic millennials see only the summit and ignore the difficult climb. They act like they can find a dream job at 20 and then coast forever. But you have to do your time. Recognize the mountain and the journey it takes to reach the peak. The good news? You’re capable. You care about EQ, leadership, and getting better (and you’re reading this blog). You might get a lift partway up—promotions and mentors can pull you higher—but honing leadership takes time and effort.
Some people call him full of hot air. I prefer a balanced view. He’s an excellent speaker and a capable writer—skills that matter. His ideas aren’t revolutionary, though. They’re simple: engage and care. Care about your work and the people around you. If you don’t know “servant leadership,” Sinek will introduce you. At minimum, you’ll walk away motivated to give a little more—at work and at home.
Is there “institutionalized impatience” among millennials? Are they quitting or quiet quitting because they don’t feel fulfilled? Sure—many are. Plenty of Gen Xers and baby boomers felt the same in their day. Take Sinek’s lessons with some skepticism, but don’t ignore them—his general points probably apply to you, and his stories often teach useful lessons.
I imagine Sinek would support taking a break from work to raise kids, start a blog, or launch a business—like a short, purposeful retirement. I believe most people can make the most of their careers if they choose to engage, keep learning, accept failure, grow, and take smart risks.
At the same time, millennials can cut out a lot of the noise that complicates modern work life. Listen to Sinek and try to grow, build resilience, learn the game, and stay motivated. Early retirement is a long-term goal for many; at the very least, aim to grow and develop so that when an opportunity appears, you won’t automatically bolt from the job.
I’ve also written about Basecamp, inspired by the founders’ book It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work. It presents an alternative to the “grind it out” route Sinek describes. Basecamp experiments with sustainable work—no insane hours, no drama over working from home, and taking vacation is fine.
My view is the best mix is a workplace that empowers teams, offers flexibility, and lets people be themselves while still encouraging growth and commitment. Imagine that.