Are millennials really that lazy?

In the year of 2050, millennials will account for about half of the entire workforce, which basically means the future lies in their hands. They will run companies and they will run countries. A lot of research done on millennials finds they tend to be lazier, apathetic and generally uninterested. Is that really so? Are they actually disinterested and unproductive or are we ourselves not sure how to get to know them and deal with them?

 Change in about the onlz thing they are used to

Their generation was born into a world where nothing is stable and safe; change is about the only thing they are used to. They don't expect to work in the same company, or even the same profession for a longer period of time and they are the first generation to have grown up with technology. 

 They dislike incompetent bosses and they are very direct

 The cultural values, ethics and professionalism are what they find important when it comes to companies. They want to work in companies that have a sense of social responsibility, that offer flexible schedules and encourage innovation, but most importantly, they want their companies to be "modern" when it comes to work and leadership. They don't like to be bossed around or threatened and they are picky when it comes to the work they do. But it's not because they're spoiled or have had it too easy; it's because they want to get more out of work than any generation before. They don't just want a job that will keep them occupied for 8 hours and hand them a paycheck, they want a job that will give them meaning, a space where they can be creative and work on something they are truly passionate about. They search for companies that will enable them to grow, both personally and in their careers. If they feel like they are an irrelevant element in the corporation or like their boss is incompetent and they are not in any way improving, they won't think twice to leave the job as soon as they can. They are very direct when it comes to what they want. 

 What this tells us is that we need to take a different approach when dealing with this generation, whether we like it or not. In our company half of the employees are in fact millennials, and you know what? I am extremely proud of them. These are the employees that can move mountains, if only given the tools. We need to believe in them and give them the freedom to work, try new things, create, imagine and they can accomplish incredible things. When you look at the bigger picture, they are really not that complicated and difficult to manage. 

 Let's challenge them and they will want to stay 

I'd like to quote Maja Petrovi?, a participant of the program AmCham SEI, who spent a month with us this summer:"I got to observe and feel how the team of Competo enjoys their work and how visible that is in their results. I can only thank them for a unique experience and my now too high expectations for my future first employer.?

 That is what we, employers, need to think about in order to become more successful and innovative. Let's challenge the millennials and give their work a meaning; this way, they'll not only stay with us but become an invaluable asset. 

 Laura Smrekar, partner at Competo d.o.o.