Part two of a two part series.
Some of the effects of baby boomers having children later in life is the RAH RAH factor.
Millennials expect and need lots of praise because their Baby Boomer parents have been the biggest cheerleaders. They are likely to mistake silence for disapproval and can easily become discouraged without verbal “strokes”. Managers should make a special effort to tell Millennials what they are doing right; this doesn’t mean they need to be lenient on Millennnials but lots of feedback, positive and negative, is needed.
Expectations:
• Millennials have expectations that the information they want will be provided in a timely, fast efficient manner.
• Feedback is important to Millennials and the more timely the better. The use of technology will enable employers to measure employee performance, enable them to see how they compare with the others in the group, and Millennials will expect to know how they are doing instantaneously.
• Communication, suggestions, feedback positive and negative needs to travel in both directions for Millennials.
How do you work with them?
• Because they have grown up in a different world, it is critical to never assume that they understand even the most basic and common business “rules” like:
– You don’t want to talk to their mother when they are having problems.
– You don’t get points for showing up or an A for effort.
– The definition of plagiarism and cheating. “It depends what the definition is, is.“
– They can’t use IM language in emails or reports.
– It’s not okay to email the boss 10 times a day.
– That when they email you at 3am, you’re not sitting on the other end waiting to respond to them.
– The business office (and most others) closes at 5pm.
Challenges faced when hiring and working with Milennials:
• The level of technology in most companies. They expect the have the newest and latest gadgets. (phone, computer, tablet, etc.)
The lack of flexibility within most companies in regards to work environment. “The day starts at 8 and ends at 5.” Historically this has been “The way it is” in the workplace and the baby boomer leaders must work to do creative things (telecommuting, split shifts, shared jobs, etc.) to keep them. When I say keep them it refers to both keep them at the company and keep them engaged a while at work. Most have seen and experienced little loyalty to a job. (look at today’s athletes hopping teams for more money). The attention span is short and multi-tasking is the norm. (I don’t believe we can multi-task but ’ll address that in another venue)
Today’s new employee must be made to feel like they are doing “important” work and it will be a challenge for them. They need to stretch and grow continually. They have been taught to “get to the next level” (video games). Training will be the biggest challenge that companies face. Can the company keep up with ongoing growth and training for their employees.
So the best way to lead and manage the new generation…
Learn how to communicate with them, understand they want to work but need to be shown how to work. Mentoring works well as does coaching. They understand the concept of a coach. We see too many young people coming into the workplace having always “won a trophy” for participation and not experienced loss or consequences of mistakes. Let them make mistakes, it is how they will grow and mature. Its how the baby boomers learned, how their parents learned and their parents and…
Learn how to communicate with them, understand they want to work but need to be shown how to work. Mentoring works well as does coaching. They understand the concept of a coach. We see too many young people coming into the workplace having always “won a trophy” for participation and not experienced loss or consequences of mistakes. Let them make mistakes, it is how they will grow and mature. Its how the baby boomers learned, how their parents learned and their parents and…
Coach Rick Kolster is an executive coach who works with business owners and executives to help them maximize their efforts, gain life balance and learn how they can be the best leader they can be.
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