The Consequences of the Hustle Culture

  • Author: Scott McKain
Reading time: 3 min
  • Word Count: 571
Read the news article

In other words, workers burned out by the “hustle culture” so recently prevalent have decided to either quit their jobs — or perhaps even more damaging to businesses — disengage themselves from where they are working. In a brilliant article in a recent edition of the Wall St. Journal, Lindsay Ellis and Angela Yang reveal that what we’ve been calling the Great Resignation could lead to something else entirely.

It is, they suggest, “Quiet Quitting.” As the article in the Journal states, ” It isn’t about getting off the company payroll, these employees say. In fact, the idea is to stay on it—but focus your time on the things you do outside of the office.”

The article continues, “Across generations, U.S. employee engagement is falling, according to survey data from Gallup, but Gen Z and younger millennials, born in 1989 and after, reported the lowest engagement of all during the first quarter at 31%.”

WITH EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT RATES AT AN ALL-TIME LOW, BUSINESSES NEED TO FIND A WAY TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, OR THEY’LL FACE EVEN MORE TURNOVER AND DISENGAGEMENT IN THE COMING YEARS. I’ve written about my issues with the “hustle culture” many times.

In my opinion, this pushy, “bro” approach in leadership and sales has only made money for the hustlers trying to sell you a program or training on how to do it their way. It does not work for the customers of their programs who turn off their prospects with their pseudo-domineering approach or prospective employees who do not desire to work for a tyrant.

The Consequences of the Hustle Culture

What hustle culture has done is to create a generation of people who feel like they can never do enough, that they’re always falling behind, and that if they’re not hustling 24/7/365, then they’re simply not trying hard enough. This is not sustainable. It’s not possible to hustle all the time without burning out. And when you burn out, you either have to take a break or leave altogether.

This recalibration of the work/life balance is part of what we see with the Great Resignation — people are leaving their jobs because they can’t handle the hustle anymore. They need a break, but often times they don’t know how to take one without feeling like they’re giving up.

IF YOU’RE A BUSINESS OWNER, IT’S TIME TO LOOK AT YOUR CULTURE AND SEE IF HUSTLE IS REALLY WHAT YOU WANT TO ENCOURAGE. IF NOT, IT IS TIME TO MAKE SOME CHANGES.

Something many missed in my work about creating distinction is this: you cannot attain distinction by demand. Hustlers cannot legitimately claim, “I am distinctive!” Your customers and community determine that level of marketplace uniqueness. 

Not you. All hustle does is create a lot of noise that drowns out the signal of what actually makes you distinctive. It is the antithesis of sustainable marketing, and it will, eventually, lead to the Quiet Quitting we’re seeing today. If you want to create a sustainable business, it’s time to ditch hustle culture and focus on creating something truly distinctive. Your customers will thank you for it.

What do you think? Have you been affected by hustle culture? Let Scott McKain know. Want to discover a sustainable way to create distinction — and distinctive engagement with your team? Let me know.

Contact us at Speakers Inc and view WeSpeak Global

Speaker Listing

Was this article helpful?

Further articles you may enjoy:

  • (61)

Are Keynote Speakers Still Relevant in the rise of artificial intelligence has revolutionized nearly every industry, from automation in manufacturing to AI-powered chatbots handling customer service. In the world of events and conferences, AI-generated content has made its way into key areas—curating personalized event experiences, generating speech outlines, and even producing lifelike deep fake avatars […]

  • January 30, 2025
  • (17)

The Mindset That Moves Mountains: 5 Speakers Who Turned Adversity into Power What if the next speaker you booked didn’t just deliver a keynote… …but ignited a fire inside every person in the room? ⚠️ These aren’t just speakers. They’re survivors, warriors, and visionaries who turned tragedy into triumph. They didn’t just “overcome adversity.” They […]

  • April 16, 2025
  • (31)

Captains Log 13th -17th June 29 05’474 N 128 01’447W Pacific Ocean Milestones-The waterline/ Hatches & rouge waves/MOB take 2 -Injuries /Slow is pro / It’s all shifting / Maslow’s hierarchy of Needs / Story of the clever turd! / Shifting spaces / Into the light.. Breakthrough/ Flicker on! / Shifting goalposts/ Threading the needle/ […]

  • December 21, 2022
  • (54)

When it comes to hosting a successful conference or corporate event with Atlanta’s Dynamic Motivational Speakers, the impact of a compelling keynote speaker cannot be overstated. In Atlanta, Georgia, a city known for its vibrant culture and innovation, there is a plethora of inspirational speakers who can elevate your event to new heights. In this […]

  • February 20, 2024
  • (8)

If you’ve been having trouble concentrating recently, you’re not alone and here is an article on How to Conquer Burnout at Work. A recent survey conducted by FlexJobs and Mental Health America found that 75% of people have had work-related burnout, with 40% feeling burned out during the pandemic. And according to a July MetLife […]

  • December 20, 2022
  • (12)

Duane Rockwell: The Ideal Atlanta Wedding Emcee and DJ When planning a wedding, one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make is selecting the right Atlanta Wedding Emcee and DJ. The individual you choose will set the tone for your celebration, ensuring everything runs smoothly and that your guests are entertained from start to finish. […]

  • June 19, 2024
  • (11)

How to Find Keynote Speakers can be the difference between a good event and a memorable one. Whether you’re a meeting planner or a corporate booker, securing the right speaker is crucial for engaging your audience, delivering a powerful message, and ensuring your event’s success. The process, however, can seem overwhelming due to the vast […]

  • August 19, 2024
  • (16)

The Unseen Turbulence: How Aviation Keynote Speakers Can Navigate the Industry’s Workforce Crisis The aviation industry has long been a symbol of human ingenuity, progress, and ambition. Yet beneath its sleek exterior and technological marvels lies a crisis that few are willing to discuss openly. A severe workforce shortage is threatening the foundation of the […]

  • February 11, 2025

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel

Speakers Inc Logo 2024
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.