There is no doubt that there are differences between the Baby Boomers and the Millennials when it comes to workplace expectations and etiquette. The purpose of this article is to provide you with some ideas and understanding of the ways in which millennials think, which can help in day to day management. What that being said, outstanding management and leadership requires you to treat each person on an individual basis, but by having a better understanding of the millennial mindset, you can maximize their potential and benefit to the company.
Provide Feedback On A Regular Basis
When you consider social media apps such as Twitter and Facebook, people have become accustomed to getting feedback almost instantly. This is ingrained into many millennials’ mindset, and subsequently spills over into the working environment. When setting up a project or a task, millennials prefer feedback quickly and often, so they can incorporate that feedback into the current job and constantly improve it. They have an insatiable urge to continue to learn and grow and value the feedback. In fact, they are not even looking for constant positive praise, but constant timely feedback. Whether that feedback be positive or negative is a key tool in your set for managing millennials.
Coach And Encourage
It is not just the feedback that is important, but also the style in which the feedback is delivered. Millennials want to be coached. They look up to their managers, and want to learn from people they perceive are successful. With all of the changes that have happened as they were growing up, such as the sexual revolution, the internet, or satellite TV, Millennials feel obligated to voice their opinions. This can lead them to ask more questions, and older managers can find that disconcerting, or even rude. The reality is that in most circumstances they are simply trying to learn and develop, and are seeking guidance from their manager, rather than simply following instructions. As a manager, this inquisitive enthusiasm should be nurtured and developed to help maximize the benefits to the company, and help the employee to grow.
Give Them Responsibility and An Opportunity To Shine
Millennials want to be given opportunity; they want to embrace it, demonstrating their skills and talents. Make them feel included in new projects by seeking their opinions and expertise, thus ensuring that they are part of brainstorming sessions. They will inevitably bring something new to the table, so capitalize on their strengths, such as social media and technology.
Consider Flexibility In The Working Day Where Possible
One of the huge changes between the baby boomers and millennials is that in most millennial relationships, both partners will have to work full time. For a lot of the baby boomer generation, who are still predominantly the managers of today, having to juggle childrearing and other family matters was never an issue, and consequently many managers don’t even take these issues into consideration. For many millennials, a flexible approach to the working day can be much more important than a salary increase, or job title. Evaluate your working practices and see if there are mutually beneficial solutions, and this will demonstrate great management and make the employee feel valued. Consider alternative workplace environments, such co-working spaces. At Novel Coworking, we specialize in these type of locations, and many of our clients regularly comment on the benefits of these flexible facilities.
Coworking spaces offer an alternative environment for Millennial-style learners, who face constant distraction, to capitalize on fruitful collaboration. With the casual and laid back atmosphere, Novel Coworking offers a modern approach to the changing dynamic of the workplace.
There is no doubt that managing millennials brings about new challenges, but by understanding and developing your management techniques, both parties will benefit. At Novel Coworking, we are a progressive organization always looking for ways to assist our clients and readers to grow their business. We post new ideas and concepts on our blog so regularly visit to keep up to date with ideas in the modern workplace.