Armed with a new set of perspectives, skills and motivations, the millennial generation is gearing up to take the modern business world by storm. In fact, people between the ages of 18 and 31 this year have recently surpassed Gen X to comprise the largest share of the U.S. workforce.
Contrary to popular belief, Gen Yers are some of the most productive people around, priding themselves on working smarter, not harder—far from the lazy, self-absorbed bunch older generations often peg them as.
As an employer, you need to harness the unique millennial skill set to survive and flourish in today’s business landscape.
Here are some fundamental ways to keep this generation engaged and invested in your company’s future:
♦ Change it up.
Millennials thrive in environments of creativity and change.
♦ Give them independence.
Millennials don’t need much hand-holding.
♦ Create a diverse workplace.
Generation Y is the most ethnically diverse generation in history and actively looks for workplaces with a similar blend of cultures and perspectives.
♦ Invite them into tech conversations.
Milliennials are naturally tech-savvy.
♦ Instill meaning in their work.
Millennials are obsessed with meaning.
♦ Invest in their continued education and growth.
Millennials are a highly educated bunch, having more university degrees among them than any other generation.
♦ Provide regular, honest feedback.
Another way to get the best out of your millennial workforce is to provide consistent feedback.
When preparing for the millennial rush, it’s important to keep in mind that making employees feel valued, empowered and engaged at work is a fundamental need, not a generational issue. These practices should underpin companies of all shapes and sizes.
Embedding values of teamwork, feedback, diversity, mentoring, purpose and innovation into the fabric of your company will keep it ahead of the curve. Your team will pull together during the tough times and prosper through the good times. So appreciate your millennials’ unique skill set, and they’ll repay you with relentless passion to see your goals through.
Read more of the original article in Fortune.
