If you have Millennials working for your company, you already know how unique they are when it comes to how they interact in the workplace. As Baby boomers continue to retire in large numbers every year, Millennials are steadily becoming a greater part of the workforce and you’ll want to be prepared to engage them in ways that are more meaningful to them.
Engaging Millennials is critical because this is the first generation to be raised as ‘digital natives’ and unlike past generations that favoured remaining with an employer throughout a career, according to Forbes, “91% of Millennials don’t anticipate staying at a job for more than three years.” This statistic has been confirmed by CareerBuilder which states by the time Millennials reach 35, a quarter of them would have held five or more jobs.
Here are a few tips for engaging Millennials in your company culture so they remain with you longer.
Millennials are energised by trying new things
Millennials overwhelmingly are open to serving in multiple roles throughout the company and in many cases prefer it to being ‘stuck’ in a single role. This can be an advantage to companies that may feel forced to do more with less due to a strained economic climate. Allowing Millennials to move around and fill different roles can also encourage their growth into mature workers. As they develop their skills and experience through cross training, lateral moves, and job shadowing, they’ll become better-rounded employees.
Millennials welcome detailed management
Unlike Baby boomers and Gen X who are more comfortable working independently, Millennials were raised in a style that shows a preference for involvement and connectedness. They work comfortably in highly collaborative environments and are technologically savvy.
Due to the fact that Millennials are so at ease with technology, management strategies will need to take this into consideration. Where past generations may have preferred face-to-face interaction with management, Millennials are at ease with methods of communication such as text and email. Since these modes tend to encourage a more casual – some might say too casual for the workplace – way of communicating, it can be helpful to lay down guidelines for what is acceptable in company communications.
Millennials prefer frequent feedback over yearly evaluations
The tradition of yearly evaluations for employees may be on its way out. In its place, Millennials prefer receiving frequent feedback to make sure they are on track and achieving their potential. The kind of feedback Millennials are used to receiving could be termed a ‘coaching’ style that focuses on performance and giving them a clear understanding of expectations.
Millennials crave work/life balance
This generation expects to be able to blend their work with the social aspects of their life. Working environments that are flexible will naturally appeal more to these kinds of workers. With Millennials, it may be more advantageous to place the emphasis on getting work done rather than constraining them to certain hours of the day.
This kind of flexibility makes it easier to implement other programs that encourage interaction. Millennials are particularly motivated by community involvement. Contests and competitions are an easy way to engage them. Team activities can drive productivity and growth while rewards provide them with the recognition and appreciation they crave.
Millennials connect with mission and purpose
A well-defined organizational mission and purpose will appeal to Millennials on a social and emotional level. This generation finds it important to connect with a company they shares their own values and priorities.
Kelly Smith is a technology addict and an experienced writer at CourseFinder.com.au. She combines her huge interest in new tech solutions and leadership trends with her love for writing.
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