Dealing With Melodramatic Millennials

Did you know that in 2016 millennials will outnumber baby boomers 3:1? Millennials tend to get a bad rap. Some consider them melodramatic, needy or entitled. But the truth is, if you adjust your management style just a bit, this segment of the workforce will become an amazing workhorse that drives your company into the future. Here’s how to harness the power of the millennium workforce.   

Change can be difficult.

Change is difficult for many, but is inevitable. In order for any business to grow and thrive in an ever-changing marketplace, it is imperative for leaders to embrace that change. The strongest leaders come to accept that change is necessary and work hard to effect change in order for their businesses to remain strong and vibrant. If you shift your opinions and learn to accept the differences of millennials, you may find their capacity for success to be in line with that of your company.

Think innovatively.

Millennials seeks innovation. They seek purpose, leadership, guidance and want to be inspired. Millennials have grown up in a world where information is at our fingertips and where the Internet can be utilized for innovation and growth. Millennials understand our global society. As a leader, you must understand that this generation is not just part of the new workforce; they are also the new consumer. They understand what the new age of consumers are looking for and how to market to that consumer—because they are that consumer. Showing them you understand and are willing to harness their creativity and fresh inventive ways of approaching projects will also increase your productivity as a result.

New perspective.

Millennials have an outward-looking perspective. They like interacting with an extensive network of communities beyond their employer, which may be interpreted as a lack of dedication or loyalty to you. However, that is not the case. For millennials, it’s about personal enrichment and fulfillment, and many times they want to extend that thinking to how they can best serve the company they work for. In today’s marketplace the idea that a company should only be inward facing, private and reserved just doesn’t work for the consumers you are trying to entice. Millennials bridge that gap by connecting the business to the community. You’ll find your company and your millennial workforce stronger and with a positive growth outlook if you learn to be involved with the community. Allow employees to join networking groups, events and functions which in turn shows your support for their need for outward involvement.

Constant feedback.

Millennials have been raised with constant coaching and feedback and expect it to continue in the workplace. Coaching keeps millennials engaged in their work. This feedback can be as simple as a text or quick email.

Millennials like some structure.

While it’s true that millennials are all about work/life balance, they are also used to a lot of structure, having been raised in an environment of “constant check-ins.” They are accustomed to understanding how they will be judged and assessed and expect these metrics to continue in the workplace. Employers should define clear and consistent job assessment criteria; which means open and constant communications with your millennial workforce.

PrideStaff Financial is one of the nation’s leading recruiting firms. Our financial staffing consultants will help you harness the millennial workforce. Contact us today.