Episode: 606

Episode Title: The Thinking Gap

A new study has found that many Millennial and Gen Z workers worldwide are struggling to think beyond survival mode. Here’s what that means, next on The Perna Syndicate.

Ep 606 show:

This is The Perna Syndicate and I’m your host, Mark Perna. Thanks for tuning in! The ability to think effectively is one of the most valuable professional skills in the workplace today—but it’s also one of the most endangered. Lenovo recently surveyed a global audience on the state of thinking, and the findings were worrisome.

While there is a sense of optimism around the power of thinking to help us make better decisions, be kinder, and problem-solve together, a significant ‘thinking gap’ has emerged among younger workers. Just 34% of respondents reported that they spend all or most of their thought life in clear and productive thinking.

Not surprisingly, people’s ability to think deeply and reflectively has declined over the past several years. The study, which focused on Millennial and Gen Z workers in the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Japan, found that many people are burned out, struggling to make ends meet, and just plain fatigued. 

Because of this, their thought lives are revolving around these immediate challenges rather than the deeper, more meaningful types of thinking that can lead to better outcomes.

The big takeaway is that young people worldwide have had to make compromises in their thought lives in order to cope with the pressures of life. And sadly, these compromises don’t seem to be temporary. Rather, they represent a shift away from higher-order thinking in the workplace and beyond. 

This week, we’re going to delve into the state of thinking among younger workers across the globe and in our own heads. We’ll see you back here tomorrow on The Perna Syndicate!