Working with Millennials

Source: ConvergenceCoaching, LLC Inspired Ideas

The following includes excerpts, reproduced with permission, from a blog entry by Krista Remer.

The “Millennial Generation,” or Generation Y – those born between 1982 and 2000 – are entering the workforce and climbing the ranks at firms in increasing numbers. I spent a bit of time with my college-aged nieces and found myself “studying” them for the characteristics we tend to believe about the “younger folks,” including that they are:

• Unafraid to speak their mind or question others.
• Technology savvy.
• Easily bored/distracted and expect fast access to information.
• Multitaskers.
• Open with information and in constant communication.
• Of the mind that respect must be earned (title or status is irrelevant).
• Goal oriented.
• Team players.
• Fair and ethical.
• Advocates for diversity.
• Reached by humor and straight talk.

Consider how you can create cultural empathy and appeal to the different generations in your firm. Your younger team members will respond best when you:

• Set their expectations up front and give them the big picture on your firm's mission, vision, values, and their role in meeting your firm's goals.
• Clearly define their roles and responsibilities in writing.
• Give them ample opportunities for self-development and improvement.
• Directly interact with them regardless of your reporting structure.
• Model the behaviors you expect from them.
• Performance-manage them with “straight talk” – sharing the good and bad with them.
• Speak their language where possible, meaning that you take the time to understand the phrases and words that they use.
• Have a sense of humor in your communications.

These are your firm's future leaders! Engage them now and retain them for an enduring career with your firm.

For the complete article, read “Are You Ready for Generation Next?”

From Convergence Coaching, LLC Inspired Ideas, http://blog.convergencecoaching.com, August 31, 2011.