Where a growing circle of business leaders comes to share, learn, and inspire organizations to put people first

Whirling Chief
Nº 15

Managing Millennials

The PewResearch Center published a wonderful article in 2010 about Millennials, “Millennials: Confident. Connected. Open to Change.1 (Full report here.)

Now, I know many of the older generation – including my parents 🙂 – sometimes thinks the new generation has lost certain values and are ‘different’ or ‘difficult to understand’ at times. I can appreciate their point of view. In all fairness, the new generation is less traditional, less religious, more diverse, more expressive, and may appear to be ‘always connected’.

There are, however, wonderful qualities Millennials share that no one ever talks about and, for the record, I wouldn’t be willing to exchange for with any other generation. Millennials do understand human nature more than any generation before them1, they follow politics closely1, they’re way less critical than earlier generations, and they respect the elderly, kids, and different life choices – all this regardless of their geography and levels of income. And…they are the most educated generation (on average) to date1.

It is also true that they demand more transparency, better work-life balance, higher equality, less formality and more technology. I couldn’t agree more with these sentiments. Bravo, Millennials!

“What I do love about this all – is that millennials are going to undoubtedly push us, ‘the chiefs of something or other’ to give ‘a care’.”

The difficulty with the Millennial identity, of course, is the demand required to manage it. Let’s be honest: This group is ever curious, looks for transparency and rationale before reaching an agreement, seeks creative ways to collaborate, and demands communication channels to stay open, which puts them two steps ahead of the current management practices.

What I do love about all this is that Millennials are going to undoubtedly push us, the “chiefs of something or other,” to give ‘a care’ over time. Yup. No more top down management techniques, totalitarian voice of communication, or formal measurement processes are required. If we want to manage this new era effectively, we need to create an environment that cherishes the balance between the older generation and younger generations’ values, and brings out the best in all of us. How? Here are a few ideas:

  • Embrace differences: We all have different strengths we bring to the workplace. Matching experience with new skills is often the path to discovery and innovation. Why not consider embracing our individuality and stay open to learning from others?
  • Assign tasks on a knowledge base: I love the idea of strengths-based management. People coming from different generations and backgrounds are going to have a different knowledge base. Why not manage to that and turn it into an organizational advantage? Consider a nursing home in Netherlands, which has allowed university students to live in for free…in exchange for their support of the elderly2. What a beautiful reciprocation of resources and support!
  • Create meaning: No matter what generation one is from, people want to know their skills and contribution matter for the greater good. Why not show our employees how their individual contribution is making an impact on the broader vision?
  • Nurture intergroup relationships: Any time two individuals from different backgrounds come together to work on a mutual goal, trust building is necessary to create a stable foundation. Why not consider creating social groups that bring those from different generations together to build relationships? Having trust as a base can help decrease the likelihood of miscommunication and fear.
  • Allow for ‘life’ to be: Times are different and evolving. Many of us care to have a certain balance in our lives – whatever that balance may look like to us. It’s time we give up trying to set boundaries around how people should live their lives or behave at the work place, and instead shift our focus on the outcomes and the intellectual property people bring. For this, why not keep a focus on life itself?

2 uk.businessinsider.com

Date

  • 13 July 2016

Add a Comment

I just want to mention I am just new to blogging and seriously loved this web-site. Very likely I’m likely to bookmark your site . You surely come with exceptional stories. Thanks for sharing with us your web-site.

Wow, awesome blog format! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging glance easy. The entire glance of your website is great, let alone the content!

Good site! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day!

I’m really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one nowadays..

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and net stuff and this is really frustrating. A good website with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is really irritating. A good site with interesting content, that is what I need. Thanks for making this web-site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Keep functioning ,fantastic job!

I have recently started a website, the information you offer on this web site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.

Simply want to say your article is as astounding. The clearness in your post is simply great and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.

Awesome write-up. I am a regular visitor of your website and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a frequent visitor for a long time.

There is clearly a bundle to identify about this. I believe you made certain good points in features also.

Awesome post. I’m a normal visitor of your web site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I will be a frequent visitor for a really long time.

Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and net stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good site with interesting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this web-site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hello there. I found your web site by means of Google whilst looking for a comparable matter, your site got here up. It seems to be great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

Hello there. I discovered your blog by means of Google at the same time as looking for a comparable subject, your website got here up. It seems to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

Awesome write-up. I am a regular visitor of your website and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I’ll be a frequent visitor for a long time.

I have been checking out some of your posts and i must say pretty clever stuff. I will make sure to bookmark your site.

foreclosure says:

You are a very bright individual!

Real Estate says:

I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.

I really appreciate this post. I¡¦ve been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thanks again

Pets says:

Hey there. I discovered your web site by the use of Google while looking for a related subject, your website got here up. It seems to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

judi poker says:

Hi there. I discovered your web site by means of Google at the same time as searching for a comparable topic, your web site got here up. It seems to be great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this information. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and net stuff and this is really frustrating. A good blog with exciting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this website, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hello there. I found your website by the use of Google at the same time as looking for a related subject, your site came up. It looks good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

You might also like reading: