How do you manage a Millenial?
How do you manage an employee born between 1980 and 2000? In other words, how do you manage a millennial? Millennials are a different beast to Gen-Xers and Baby Boomers. Millennials like to work in teams, like to work with a diverse range of people and they like to make friends with people at work. They also like constant feedback about how they are doing. And when I say constant, it means weekly or even daily feedback. Perhaps it has something to do with having doting parents?
Millennials are confident, constantly seeking challenges at work and they are loathe to experience boredom in the workplace. Flexibility and a life outside of work is paramount to them. With the most up to date computer and technology skills, the question is, how do you manage a millennial? Here are some tips. They are by no means exhaustive.
- Millennials are up for a challenge. So don’t bore them with repetitive, mundane work. I know some-one has got to do it but they need their work to be ever-changing and they want to be stretched;
- Millennials are a confident and super positive generation. They have a ‘can do’ attitude (probably because their parents told them that they could take on the world and win!), so take advantage of this as they really do want to contribute, add value and also allow them to voice their thoughts and opinions. You will be surprised how their perspective can be helpful.
- Provide structure, leadership and guidance. Millennials need activities and tasks to be scheduled with deadlines, they like team meetings and they want constant feedback on how they are doing. Moreover, they love to learn and develop and are always seeking guidance and mentoring from team leaders. Providing them with opportunities to upskill and train will keep them engaged.
- Millennials love to multi-task and they do it well. So don’t shy away from giving them several projects at any one time. But keep a watch on how each project is going.
- Millennials are tech savvy and the consummate connectors so take advantage of their social media prowess and their ability to network like no other generation before them. Equally, take advantage of their IT skills. When something breaks down, they probably know how to fix it. You may not need that IT technician.
- A life outside of work is important to a Millennial. Their friends and family are everything to them as well as travelling. Many want to save the world and are heavily involved in not for profit organisations. Others are developing an app or a start-up. Providing them with the ability to buy extra annual leave or the allowing them to take unpaid leave of absences from time to time will encourage them to stay, rather than seek opportunities with your competitors.
- A Millennial wants to have fun at work. So if your workplace is a social one where they can make friends, go out for lunch with their colleagues and where there are team bonding activities from time to time, your workplace will experience less turnover.
Given that Millennials are now the majority of our global workforce, making them happy and valued will mean a more productive and successful workplace. It will also mean less job hopping for them. Importantly, understanding how to manage a millennial will assist you with the recruitment of the brightest and the best!
If you are a law firm looking to build on your existing talent or a lawyer looking for a new opportunity or you are a lawyer wanting career advice or information on salary, please contact me on:
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