​11 Tips for Managing Millennials

In 2016, Millennials surpassed all other generations as the largest portion of the workforce. Wondering what Millennials are? Well, we are men and women who were born between 1980 and 2000, or 1981 and 1999.

Unlike the Gen-Xers and the Baby Boomers, we, Millennials have developed work characteristics and tendencies from doting parents, structured lives, and contact with diverse people. We are also viewed as the most connected generation in history and will network right out of our current workplace if our wants are not met. We are also computer experts and as such are connected all over the world by email, instant messages, text messages, and the internet which means job searching, business contacts, and friends are just a couple of key taps away. So to help all of the employers, here is a list of tips to help manage us.

11 Tips for Millennial Management

• 1.Provide structure. Millennials don’t need to be boxed in but we do need structure. Make sure to set due dates and have goals that are clearly stated.
• 2.Provide leadership and guidance. Millennials want to look up to you, learn from you, and receive daily feedback from you. We like to know the whole picture. We deserve and want your very best investment of time in our success.
• 3.Encourage the Millennial's self-assuredness, "can-do" attitude, and positive personal self-image. Millennials are ready to take on the world. Encourage—don't squash us or contain us. We’re out-of-the-box thinkers and are always looking to provide input and ideas. Encourage us to voice our thoughts and opinions.
• 4.Take advantage of the Millennial's comfort level with teams. Encourage us to join teams and provide a work environment that stresses teamwork. Millennials enjoy and are used to working in groups and teams. We believe a team can accomplish more and do it better.
• 5.Millennial employees are up for a challenge and change. We don’t like to be bored and seek ever-changing tasks within their work. What’s happening next is our mantra.
• 6.Millennial employees are multi-taskers on a scale you’ve never seen before. Multiple tasks don’t faze us. We talk on the phone while answering email and as well as replying to multiple instant messages—yes! This is our way of life. In fact, without many different tasks and goals to pursue within the week, Millennials will likely experience boredom.
• 7.Provide a life-work balanced workplace. Millenials are used to cramming our lives with multiple activities. We work hard, but we are not into the sixty hour work weeks defined by the Baby Boomers. Home, family, spending time with the children and families, are important to us. Don’t lose sight of this.
• 8.Provide a fun, employee-centered workplace. As Millennials, we want to enjoy work and the workplace. We enjoy making friends. Start worrying if your Millennial employees aren't laughing, going out with workplace friends for lunch, or helping plan the next company event or committee.

As the current driving force in the workplace, we Millennials, need to be taken into account. Let us know what you think of these tips by commenting below.