Millennials are the largest generation yet, and most of them have entered the workforce. A study by Forbes predicts that by 2025, three out of four workers will be from the Millennial generation. Even if we hadn’t begun seeing the signs already, there’s no doubt a generation that size would have some effect on our working environments.
What’s different about a Millennial?
Millennials are creative and ambitious. They prefer to create processes and automate portions of their job so they can focus on tasks that require a human mind. They love to use technology, especially solutions that are specifically designed for their needs. They are extremely comfortable with social media and mobile technology, and often incorporate both into their work as much possible.
This new working generation considers work/life balance an absolute priority. They are happy to give 100% of their effort to their job, but they won’t allow it to sacrifice their health (physical or mental). This is good for your business because they don’t burn out as easily as Generation X or the Baby Boomers.
You’ll also have to accept the fact that your Millennial team members won’t want to be at their desk from nine to five, Monday to Friday. Millennials prefer flexible schedules that allow them to enjoy life experiences. You’ll get their 40 hours, but it has to happen on their schedule. If you’re a micromanager, you’ll find Millennials to be challenging.
Millennials in your office
Most interestingly, Millennials prefer non-traditional workspaces. They like to work in open work environments that allow for maximum collaboration. They like to have informal, impromptu meetings and lots of communication. They don’t want offices of stuffy professionals; they want communities.
There’s no doubt that communication between team members is a boon for any business, which is one of the reasons we teach effective communication skills in our Dale Carnegie Course. It’s a big part of our Leadership Training for Managers course as well.
Now, that doesn’t mean open spaces are right for every company. There’s evidence that open office plans can be distracting and create pressure to look busy. The newest offices are using a layout called “hoteling,” where the work space is mostly open, but small, isolated workstations are put in place for quiet, uninterrupted work.
The best thing you can do for your millennial employees is be there. Millennials are looking for a coach, not a boss. They are entrepreneurial minded and expect great accessibility to their leaders. Research shows that the number one reason millennials leave their job is because of a poor or insufficient relationship with their leader.
Let’s not generalize
While you can make some changes to appease millennials, it’s never smart to generalize a group. The best way to lead your team is to create a set of values for your company, hire people who respect and abide by those values, and then create a work environment and culture that meets their needs. That means you’ll have to put yourself on the front lines and talk to your team anyway (which, fortunately, is exactly what millennials want).
Check out our leadership training course to learn the skills you need to lead the next generation of workers.
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