Many children's games teach valuable skills. Some focus on math strategy (Monopoly), some show things aren't always predictable (Shoots and Ladders), while others encourage spelling skills (Scrabble).
Those are grossly simplified and not all-inclusive explanations of those games. But one game tries to explain to middle school children (and older) about the complications of life - Life itself. I don't recall offhand that it incorporates struggles like divorce, major medical surgery, or stock market crashes... There are always lessons to be learned in the home, and how families stick together to overcome adversity.
Family is a term also used by members of the military to describe their units. In time of trouble (combat for them), they also become closer. They can quickly identify when things aren't right with other soldiers. They also know when one group is treated differently, just like children in a home. The difference is that a member of the military can choose to leave the family unit if things don't improve.
And that's what we are seeing today with the military, as the author of the attached article examines. It is also happening to large corporations that have been known to push employees in an unreasonable quest for unrealistic profits or market share. It's a very apt parallel of workers not having "stickiness", or longevity, at companies as did generations of the past.
There are many choices where employees can turn, just as with members of our armed forces. If you don't treat employees with respect, don't give them the equipment they need, and don't deliver on earlier promises - votes happen. Problems might not be a "millennial apathy" or lack of worth ethic; maybe the bosses need to realize that the rewards aren't the same for new generations of workers and the family needs to adjust.
Don't let your top talent vote with their feet. Invest in the middle of the ladder however your industry would deem appropriate. Use creativity to meet the needs of workers. It likely means older workers have to adjust to hearing about student loans, younger workers adjust to realizing the books don't give all the information, and capitalize on things all employees actually do (or can do).
It's about building on similarities. For instance, maybe everyone vacations or perhaps reads books. Build on commonalities rather than focusing on differences - and you'll find the bottom line increases and the exit interviews will decrease.
http://www.stripes.com/opinion/army-is-breaking-let-down-by-washington-1.361011
