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Leveraging the Millennial Generation
May 2010
Did you know that this is the
first time in U.S. history that our national workforce has
included FOUR generations of employees? Because of this, it is
imperative that we all view Diversity as more than just
differences in race and gender. Differences in generations, or
the era in which a person has lived, can equally effect everyday
business interactions and viewpoints while posing a variety of
new challenges on an organization. In fact, most managers and
supervisors (belonging to the Traditionalist or Baby Boomer
Generations) dub leveraging talent within a Millennial direct
report as their most challenging responsibility when attempting
to bridge generational gaps.
Why? Because the Millennial
generation can have differences in attitudes, behaviors,
expectations, work ethic, communication styles, habits, and
motivations from that which a Traditionalist or Baby Boomer is
accustomed to managing. Think of your workplace around you.
We've all probably heard a Millennial request email
communication (or texting) over a phone call or in-person
meeting. While this communication technique may be perceived as
impersonal to a Traditionalist or Baby Boomer, a Millennial
simply may value the time savings or flexibility provided by
technology-based communication.
While these distinctions do represent
a tremendous source of strength, the first step towards
leveraging talent within a Millennial is to first explore these
distinctions in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment by
practicing inclusion. Through inclusion, we not only acknowledge
people's differences, we then work with these differences to
foster a fair and productive workplace by drawing on the past
experiences, cultures, talents, and ideas of a
multi-generational workforce. From here, we can then learn how
to communicate and collaborate with the different generations
and eliminate many major confrontations and misunderstandings in
the workplace and the world of business.
Below are quick and helpful
information guides that managers and supervisors can use to
effectively explore, then leverage the Millennial Generation.
Millennials have been noted to
value...
- Positive Reinforcement:
Members of this "cyber" generation value positive
reinforcement at accelerated rates compared to older
generations.
- Autonomy: This group
wants more input into how they are learning and the
independence to do it.
- Positive Attitudes:
This group grew up during tranquil times and as a result,
typically has
a very optimistic outlook on life in general.
- Diversity: This group
grew up with more diversity than their predecessors and if
not exposed to it in their community then they were
introduced to diverse people and cultures through the media.
- Money: This group is
used to making and spending money.
- Technology:
Technology is valued and is used as a tool for
multi-tasking.
Now that you know more
about what a Millennial might value, here are some
Supportive Behaviors and Tips for Working with
Millennials...
- Use action words and challenge them at every opportunity.
- Try to treat them as an equal. They will resent it if you talk down to them.
- Type, not talk. Millennials prefer email communication.
- Seek their feedback constantly and provide them with regular feedback.
- Use appropriate humor and create a fun learning environment.
- Encourage them to take risks and break the rules so that they can explore new ways of learning.
More detailed information on this generation along with the other generations can
be found within the KnowledgeStart Power of Four e-learning course. To request more information or for a no-obligation trial
of our products, please email
info@knowledgestart.com or call toll-free
877.650.0454.
Who We Are
KnowledgeStart is an employee development company which, for the past seven
years, has specialized in online training for its U.S. and global clients.
We are a leading provider of award-winning e-learning programs and platforms
that maximize learning, increase collaboration and retention, and improve
competitive edge. Over the years, we have excelled in
enhancing organizational and individual productivity in topics such as
Diversity and Inclusion,
Generational Differences,
Harassment Prevention,
Business Ethics, and
Substance Abuse Prevention.
KnowledgeStart understands that every decision made by your employees eventually
crosses someone's path somehow and can often have a "ripple effect" across your
entire organization. Even the smallest of decisions can have a BIG impact on
your company and the people around you. Your workplace is an incredibly
inter-connected environment.
Through this understanding and our collective skill sets and experiences with
leading companies, we are proud to deliver innovative approaches to employee
training, compliance, and outcome measurement software.
Visit our website:
http://www.knowledgestart.com
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