The Millenial Worker
June 20th, 2009 in Uncategorized. 9 Comments
A good friend asked me the other day my thoughts on how to lead the millenial generation, basically those born after 1980. We gather thousands of leaders who fit in this category on an annual basis, have several on our staff, and really gear what we do towards an early stage millenial/late stage gen X’er.
So what are some thoughts on leading Millenials?
- give them freedom with their schedule
- provide them projects, not a career
- work, family, social are all intertwined, so make sure the work environment is experiential and family oriented.
- tie in compassion/justice oriented causes and opportunities to their projects or environment
- embrace social media.
- embrace the reality that they grew up with technology such as texting, XBox, laptops, and ipods as the norm
- lead each person uniquely; don’t create standards or rules that apply to everyone; customize your approach
- provide authenticity and honesty as the norm for the corporate culture.
- millenials are not necessarily interested in “climbing the corporate ladder” but instead interested in making a mark and making a difference
- not willing to wait- want to make a difference now; so give them opportunities early with major responsibility.
9 Comments
chrismarlow
June 20, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Well said, great list and so true!
Stephen Bateman
June 20, 2009 at 8:07 pm
I think eventually this type of work environment will be natural and normal. Probably just in time for it to be completely different.
Daniel Decker
June 20, 2009 at 8:18 pm
So interesting to see how fast things are changing. This almost flies in the face of how organizations worked with employees only a few years ago. I recall a few years back, when I was a manager at a company, the higher ups telling me not to have friendships outside of the workplace with my staff as it could undermine their ability to set me apart as their superior. I knew then, as I do now, that they were insane.
Noble
June 24, 2009 at 12:48 am
dude… I spent 18 yrs doing ministry on secular university campuses…
You Nailed It! Such a great post! I wish every pastor would read it.
I have met and talked to so many that are miserable because of the culture of their “church” work place. It is sad that so many find the church to be more brutal of a place to work then the secular business world. I have experienced it myself… I am happy to be out of the “corporate church” and back with the “heathen” where they show respect and concern for one another. It shouldn’t be that way!
I saw Scott Hodge tweet this the other day, “Are you as concerned about your “employee brand” as you are your overall church brand?” Wow!!!
Craig Johnson
June 25, 2009 at 1:12 pm
When it comes to #s 1-3, I highly recommend reading this book, Work Sucks, about developing a R.O.W.E. (results only work environgment) http://is.gd/1d3SK
We implemented it at our office and the Results have been amazing.
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