Workplaces are changing, and not just the spaces themselves, but the people who occupy them. Millennials are coming into the workforce in a big way, and their new goals and motivations are causing managers and supervisors to re-evaluate how they interact and work with employees.
The new generation of workers has a lot to bring to the table; reportedly, they are one of the most socially-conscious generations since the 60’s, meaning that the happiness and success of others is of high-importance to them.
So what do millennials crave in their careers? And what should millennials look for in a workplace to really boost their potential? Find out below.
Managing Millennials
Millennials turn management into a whole new ballgame. They tend to prefer managers, supervisors, and employers that guide them by:
Providing feedback. Negative, positive, or neutral, millennials want to know how they can improve. By starting honest, transparent, and open conversations about their strengths and weaknesses, you can inspire positive change. They’ll likely do the same for their managers and employers, which can help the business to grow and move forward.
Delegating clearly. Straightforward directions, clear deadlines, and project hierarchies make work speedier, simpler, and more structured. Millennials like to know what they are doing, why they are doing it, and when it needs to be done. They also like to know who else is working on a project and what their roles are.
Encouraging professional growth. From courses and workshops to programs and upgrades, when managers and employers support and encourage professional growth, it takes their businesses to the next level. It lets employees become high-quality professionals, adding to their personal value and the company’s.
What do Millennials Crave in the Workplace?
Whether workplaces are changing based on the influx of younger workers, or if the job market is experiencing a wave of workplace evolution, the modern office is a distant relative to what professionals were accustomed to even just a decade ago. It’s not just the space itself, but the atmosphere that makes all the difference. Gen Y has upped expectations and standards for the office in the following ways:
By expecting balance. A good balance between work and family can make all the difference. Refusing to live by the mantra of “live to work”, millennials stand firm when it comes to how much time they are willing to clock in at the office, and employers are finding that they have happier and healthier employees by meeting these expectations.
By requesting flexibility. Part of a good work-to-life balance is having the time to do things when you need to do them. That could mean taking an hour to go to an appointment, or working from home for a day or two a week to reduce transportation costs. Gen Y wants flexibility. They want to feel in control of their lives instead of feeling as if their employers are in charge of them.
By thriving in collaborative environments. Some millennials are introverts, and some are extroverts, but many still excel when given the opportunity to network and collaborate with like-minded professionals. Imagine how many ideas could have been better with a little more fine-tuning. Collaboration provides the possibility of improvement before an idea or concept is implemented, giving it a stronger head start.
By being seen as individuals. Everyone has a different personality, and everyone works differently. Gen Y expects to be treated as individuals in the workplace, meaning that they want managers to understand their personal motivations and skillsets, both within their professional range, and outside of it.
What a Professional Millennial Looks Like
Millennials are good workers, who can be greatly influenced by their passion for the product or service. They value transparency and social and environmental consciousness in the businesses that they work for, but those aren’t the only traits that make them desirable employees. Typically, they bring a lot of other pluses to the table as well, such as:
Freelance or entrepreneurial experience that helps them to self-manage, problem solve, and come up with innovative ideas.
University and college educations in both general and concentrated areas of expertise.
Inquisitiveness. They don’t just want to know why, but how, when, and where. They really want to understand a project or task before digging into it.
Assertiveness. Millennials aren’t afraid to be clear about what they want or need.
Ambition. Millennials can become bored easily, but it isn’t because of lack of interest, it is because their ambitious nature isn’t being nurtured.
Varied experience. Millennials tend to have skills in a variety of areas, not only specializing in a given profession, but expanding into others as well.
The Evolving Office Experience
Though every generation is different, and each brings its own benefits and changes to the work world, millennials are revamping the office experience—which will likely continue to evolve and advance for many years to come.
Working with, for, or being managed by millennials can be an invigorating experience which can be made all the better by understanding what motivates, inspires, and drives them to succeed.
Are you a millennial? What is the most important thing to you in a workplace?
