Although millennials are among the most educated compared to other previous generations, they are also known as job-hoppers and remain a mystery to business leaders. In this article, we will discuss how you can effectively manage millennials at work, as well as how to motivate and keep them engaged.
Tip #1 Explain the vision of your company.
If you can manage to explain the bigger overall picture, then it connects the meaning to the millennial worker. The thing about this generation is that they are more likely to look for meaning and impact when it comes to their jobs.
Millennials are not just satisfied with simply punching a clock and getting paid. They are the kind of employees who want to have a clear sense of purpose, and therefore, you should help them understand their part in the organization by explaining your company vision. Doing so does not only make them feel that they are valued, but can also improve their productivity.
Tip #2 Allow them to have more flexibility.
When it comes to millennials, one of the primary drivers of employee retention is work-life balance. Being required to sit at a desk for the whole day does not appeal to millennials. Good thing, there are now more innovative ways of working.
They are not called Digital Natives for no reason—millennials are a tech-savvy generation. This means that they can work from anywhere and at any time as long as they have a stable internet connection. According to a recent study by the Griffith Insurance Education Foundation, employees from this generation are willing to sacrifice salary for more vacation time and the chance to work outside the office. Some of the ways by which you can offer this to your employees include increasing vacation time, allowing them to have a more flexible schedule, and occasional telecommuting.
Tip #3 Constantly provide constructive feedback and motivation.
Millennials respond well to motivation and feedback, and they need to know that they are being noticed. Aside from supportive feedback, simply saying “congratulations” or “thank you” can make a significant difference in keeping them engaged. An additional advice is to keep an open communication and let them know if they are doing well and teach them how they can become better.
Tip #4 Offer professional development.
Millennials are hungry for growth and development. With this, if you want to retain them and manage them more effectively, you should offer professional development. You can do this by training them, sending them to leadership conferences, or bringing in speakers to help them learn more and hone their skills.
Final Thoughts
These are just some of the most basic tips on how you can manage your millennial employees more effectively and keep them engaged. Millennials only seem difficult to handle because you don’t find the time to try to understand them. We hope this article sheds some light on millennial workers, including how you could win their trust and make them valuable assets of your company.
