A lot has been written about the disconnect between today's young professional, and the generations that came before them.
"Millenial" is almost thrown around as a dirty word, as the connotation says it all. Right or wrong, Millenials are often stereotyped as being fragile, self-involved, lazy and unproductive.
However, it's important to note in the interest of fairness that Millenials are also blazing trails when it comes to technology and new ways to communicate and earn income. The job and career landscape has changed dramatically thanks to this generation.
So how do you bridge that gap and help your Millenial employees live up to their fullest potential?
Read on and apply these tips.
Relate to Your Employees on an Individual Level
Individuality is a trademark of the Millenial generation. Growing up with social media platforms has molded a generation of people not afraid to express themselves and take in attention from the public.
Today's mind is accustomed to taking in information rapidly and formulating opinions. So rather than trying to relate to your Millenial employees in a generalized manner, take personal time out with each person to see what makes them tick.
Not only is this simply excellent management strategy, it also allows you to invest in your employees for the long-term. Schedule regular meetings, but frame them in a relaxed way that simply allows you to build a rapport with your employees.
Understand Their Background and Psyche
It's important to realize that a lot of "rules" have changed over the years. For instance, today's generation is learning new math philosophies and strategies that have previous generations scratching their heads.
However, it's important to understand that this is a natural evolution that happens with each generation. You need to bridge that gap and do some research into the teaching styles that these young professionals are accustomed to. This way, you can get a better concept for how their mind and learning style has been molded over the years.
Relate the Job to a Bigger Picture
Millenial employees today get the unmotivated wrap, but it actually stems from a positive reason.
Today's job seeker craves meaning and purpose out of their career and is less motivated to just collect a check. This attitude is a huge contributor to the evolution of the job market, which is far less traditional than ever. More than ever people are working remotely, freelancing and bouncing from position to position, rather than staying with a company for decades.
The more you can impart purpose to your young employees, the more you'll get out of them.
When you follow these strategies, you'll be able to build a strong rapport with your team.
