Millennial’s In The Workplace

By 2020, 75% of the US workforce will be Millennials. Like every generation, values and motivations change with the times.

Today’s young people emphasize things like career path, balance, collaboration, variety, and flexibility. It’s crucial for companies to adapt their leadership and management styles to attract new employees.

Unlike older generations, many Millennial’s don’t dream of a 40 year career doing the same thing for the same company. They may have a specific field or company they enjoy, but that doesn’t mean they plan on staying in one spot. As you hire and manage Millennial’s, remember they may be interested in broadening their experience. This can lead to well rounded employees with a greater general understanding of company needs and processes.

Another differentiating aspect is balance. Millennial’s view work-life balance as being fully engaged with the task, activity, or people they are currently involved with. The idea of keeping work and life completely separated is unrealistic in today’s fast paced, electronic society. They’re looking for jobs that can become an integrated part of their life.

One of the largest motivators for Millennial’s is flexibility in the workplace. They want the ability to prioritize whatever aspect of their life needs attention that day. This means a more fluid work environment where employees can address what they think is most important, even if it’s in their personal lives. Millennial’s seek work that carries value, they want to know they are making a positive impact in the world. They grew up being able to instantly communicate with others, which has translated to a need for feedback and collaboration in the workplace.

Understanding motivation is more important than ever. In our Proscan assessment we dedicate an entire section to understanding what motivates people based on behavioral traits. We perform best when we understand which traits influence us and the motivation behind our actions. Take our free 5 minute Proscan assessment today learn what motivates you!

Behavior in younger individuals is still developing, making them more adaptable in the workplace. These learned or adaptive behaviors improve the ability to thrive in the workforce. Different personality traits adapt in various ways:

• Those with a need for control are fantastic at leading and taking on challenging situations. They can benefit from listening to others, being careful not to come across too strongly, and encouraging others to take the lead.
• People who are outgoing inspire others and delegate tasks easily. However, they should take care to communicate clearly and be realistic about situations and people.
• Millennial’s who appreciate boundaries are accurate, persistent, and team oriented. Learning to voice opinions and take risks will help them thrive in the workplace.
• The need for details and correctness helps some maintain systems and high standards. They can benefit from softening their judgments, learning to let go of past scenarios and establishing clear boundaries.

Millennial’s are changing the American workforce. Learning to place people in the right positions has never been more important. If a Millennial feels stuck in their current position, they won’t hesitate to find new one. Leverage behavior to lower your turn over rate and skyrocket productivity.