Michael C Hogan

Agile Product Development & Innovation Strategy

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Zuckerberg: Millennials’ Generational Challenge is to Prioritize Purpose; Build Global Community

“To keep our society moving forward, we have a generational challenge — to not only create new jobs, but create a renewed sense of purpose… by taking on big meaningful projects together, by redefining equality so everyone has the freedom to pursue purpose, and by building community across the world.”

In just under 33 minutes, the founder of Facebook walks through his positive vision of the future and describes the generational challenge facing Millennials built upon three key ideas:

  • Big meaningful projects
  • Universal freedom to pursue purpose
  • Global community

Zuckerberg explains that innovation is incremental and the overnight success is a myth. Ideas develop through iteration.

“I know, you’re probably thinking: I don’t know how to build a dam, or get a million people involved in anything. But let me tell you a secret: no one does when they begin. Ideas don’t come out fully formed. They only become clear as you work on them. You just have to get started… Movies and pop culture get this all wrong. The idea of a single eureka moment is a dangerous lie.”

We often measure an idea against an imagined state of perfection rather than agains real-world alternatives available today.

“In our society, we often don’t do big things because we’re so afraid of making mistakes that we ignore all the things wrong today if we do nothing. The reality is, anything we do will have issues in the future. But that can’t keep us from starting.”

Three quotes on the Millennial generation:

Millennials are already one of the most charitable generations in history. In one year, three of four US millennials made a donation and seven out of ten raised money for charity. But it’s not just about money. You can also give time. I promise you, if you take an hour or two a week — that’s all it takes to give someone a hand, to help them reach their potential.

I taught them [a middle school Boys and Girls Club] lessons on product development and marketing, and they taught me what it’s like feeling targeted for your race and having a family member in prison.

… and when our generation says “everyone”, we mean everyone in the world.

Contrast Dr. Zuckerberg’s view of Millennials with the pessimistic view Simon Sinek has popularized across social media. Contrast Dr. Zuckerberg’s vision of a global community with the pessimistic and isolationist view of President Trump. You’ll quickly understand why I’m betting on the Millennial Generation, and proud to be a part of it.

Watch the new Dr. Zuckerberg’s speech in full below or read the transcript at TIME.com.