A Key to Working With Millennials
Millennials generally are born in the 1980s and mid-1990s, which includes those who graduated before the great recession, those during the recession and the post-recession graduates.
The Millennial generation chooses a workplace where they feel comfortable and which helps them grow professionally. As of 2017, 56 million members of the workforce were born between 1981 and 1996, compared to Generation Xers, which accounted for about 53 million, and 41 million baby boomers who represented a quarter of the total.
Knowing the facts, what do you think, are Millennials different? Well, of course. Every generation has its kinks. Some leaders figure it out well. While some don’t. So, this is for your help. Here are some key points for you to have a workable game plan to turn Millennials into the stellar workforce that they likely want to be.
Know who they are
The key to your future success is to understand how the Millennials view the world. There is a huge difference: baby boomers want benefits and stability while Millennials are still on the way up. Understand they have distinct motivations. They are always looking for new transferable skills. They appreciate learning and ongoing training. Millennials like to spend on experiences more than material possessions. For example, businesses such as Airbnb (centered around avoiding high hotel costs) is growing because of the experiences centered spending habits of Millennials.
Takeaway: Reach them where they are and they will help you achieve your goals; try to force them to fit your boundaries and they will run for the door every time.
Millennials like to have a voice in the workplace
Millennials are quick to speak up at work even when they are not experts. They want their ideas and opinions to be heard. To Millennials, authority seems to be pretty flexible. Employees who speak their mind at work feel more motivated to contribute unique ideas and even command more respect from peers. Millennials are more likely to love the sharing of ideas and opinions for workplace inclusion.
Millennials like teamwork
Millennials look at building teams as a way to foster creativity and innovation. Promoting collaborative teamwork should be a norm as Millennials are fond of networking and enjoy teamwork. Being part of the team is important for Millennial work happiness.
Looking for a team management tool to better manage your team? Switch to ProofHub .
Give them a bit of freedom
To make sure your Millennials are the most productive - give them a little freedom. They will thrive. Most employees don’t like being told what to do, how to do. Fixed hours and sitting at a desk for 8 hours feel like a prison sentence for most office workers. Let them set their own start and finish times, give them the flexibility to work from home. When you give your team freedom, they give you back far more than you expect. Millennials are truly not looking for nice perks, they’re looking for freedom.
Millennials admire a positive work environment
They want happiness, purpose, and work opportunities with better companies. Unlike previous generations, Millennials want to enjoy their workplace. They look for fun office activities and days to enjoy time out of the office and get to know the people that work with them. Before your work environment becomes a big factor in making them quit their job, start with building a positive culture, unconventional office space, foster social connections, nature-friendly vibes, and volunteering activities to know each other better.
That’s all for now! I have worked with quite a few Millennials in our team at ProofHub and I have a confession; I love working with them. I’d love to hear from you about you Millenial team members. Scroll down and comment!
Also Read:
Giving Feedback? Here's What Good Managers Do (That Bad Managers Do not)
The Leadership Mistake You're Probably Making? You’re Being Too Nice.
Keep Up The Faith, When Things Go South
Author Bio:
Vartika Kashyap is the Marketing Manager at ProofHub and has been one of the LinkedIn Top Voices in 2017 and 2018. Her articles are inspired by office situations and work-related events. She likes to write about productivity, team building, work culture, leadership, entrepreneurship among others and contributing to a better workplace is what makes her click.
IAF Veteran, Leadership trainer, Oxygen gas Plant Project Management And medical Oxygen Consultant. [email protected]
5 年There are many who agree with this millennial theory while others don't. The bottom-line is that each generation has some people with millennial characteristics. How can fix rule this for who are born during a specific duration ? Personality and characteristics are governed by multiple factors -- not just by year of birth. Similarly, performance, progress, and achievements can't be merely based on year of birth. Somewhere the logic is not appropriate. Isn't it?
Co-Founder at Libera Space & Selah Hospitality
5 年As a Millennials myself, I found this to be true
Retired Lead Biomedical Scientist & Senior Healthcare manager
5 年????
Director of Operations at Executive Healthcare Management
5 年I am pretty sure that everyone wants those things, not just Millennials. So only Millenials want to work in an environment that is collaborative and gives you freedom? Why do we have to have articles that teach us how to give Millenials what they want? Isn't giving them what they want, further perpetuate the "me, me, me"? How come this article does not say, hey Millennials, if you want to get yourself in a position of being able to make your own schedule, more money and all the other perks you want, how about busting your tail first and prove something.