5 Tips for Managing Millennials

Each employee has different working styles and employees are often grouped with the generations they fall under to study behavioral patterns easier. Millennials, the youngest of the batch, have been notorious for being the most different kind of workers compared to the previous generations. Often, they receive criticism regarding their practices in the workplace. When it comes to managing a team, it’s best to get to know your members well. Learn about the strengths and weaknesses of your co-workers, and what you can do to harness their potential. Below are fantastic tips on how you can empower millennials in your company and help them shine.

Establish Teamwork and Strong Company Culture

Millennials want their work to have meaning and purpose. When they see the relevance of what they do, they will give their best to help the company grow. Structure your staff in a way that relies on everyone working together with defined roles so you can take advantage of what might be a strength for some of your younger employees.

Take Advantage of Their Tech Savviness

Millennials are the first generation to grow up with the internet as an everyday part of their lives. This experience and knowledge can help expand communication both internally and externally for your firm. Let them use their phones for work instead of prohibiting them. It will show that you trust them and will significantly boost their performance.

Offer a Work-Life Balanced Environment

Millennials crave flexibility in the workplace that will enable them to experience the world, spend time with their families and friends, and achieve multiple goals. You'll have more success attracting and retaining members of this generation if you offer flexible hours and remote working opportunities that will more likely appeal to them.

Empower and Allow Them to be Leaders

Trust their abilities and allow them to take on bigger, more meaningful projects. Don’t squash them, restrain or hold them back. Give them the reigns and they will perform higher levels of work. As they are also very independent, they do not appreciate micromanagement. Empower them and give them access to the right tools necessary to finish the task. This is more than enough for them to figure out a solution and do the work.

Focus on Their Work and Recognize Them

Millennials are often deemed as lazy which is mostly based on a disconnect between them and older generations when it comes to prioritizing structure and processes. While older generations value things like fixed work schedules and dress codes, millennials are more focused on end results. A lot of millennials are hard workers who get results. However, in order to connect with them and retain them, you might have to be willing to give more than just flexible schedule and a less restrictive dress code. They don’t want trophies, they want validation, recognition and reinforcement. A simple “thank you” or “great job” will go a long way.