Key Facts
Born between 1980-2000 | The Millennial generation is the largest in US history | The first generation of digital natives | Millennials form over 25 % of the workforce of US | By 2020, millennials will form 50% of the global workforce | By 2025, 3 out of every 4 workers globally will be Millennials.
How Millennials Are Changing the US Workplace?
Continuous Learning
Millennials want to experience as much training as possible and they are focused on their skills development. What is more, they expect frequent feedback because it motivates and helps them improve at their jobs. Do not focus only on things that need to be improved and make sure you highlight the positive contributions and improvements! Millennials work really hard when they feel that the company they work for is investing time or money in their training and development.
Faster Career Advancement
In order to retain talented millennials, it is important to change the traditional view on career advancement that is based upon the time of service or seniority. Millennials expect faster career advancements than older generations. Millennials are likely to look for a new job when they do not feel that there is a prospect for a fast career progression within the organization.
Technology Based Workplace Learning
Millennials are the first generation of digital natives, they were born and they grew up during the age of technological changes. Therefore, providing technology based training is a way to go for any modern organization. Use online learning management systems that are interactive and engaging. Take advantage of modern elearning solutions that can be made personalized and available on any device (laptop, mobile phone, tablet or wearable technology). Use elements of gamification and incorporate micro learning into the overall training strategy.
Workplace Flexibility
Millennials value workplace flexibility and they are changing the rules of the traditional office work. Provide your employees with clear instructions on what they need to work on and provide them with deadlines. This way it should not matter where and how they complete their tasks. Give your employees the freedom to have a flexible work schedule and the option to change their working environment if that makes them more productive.
Co-leadership
Millennials love being involved in projects that excite them and that are strategically important to the company. They expect to be involved in important projects as soon as they start working and not in five years. Give them a chance to be responsible for developing or managing a new project and this will most likely make them feel valued by the company which will increase engagement and motivation to perform well. The best way to involve millennials in co-leadership is by pairing them with more experienced colleagues. This way a two-way knowledge sharing can be encouraged, leading to more effective leadership and management training. For instance, a more senior employee will teach a millennial specifics regarding project management and a millennial may be more knowledgeable in things like social media or innovative customer experience.
It is clear that millennials form a powerful generation that changes the modern workplace in many ways. Is your organization ready for millennials?