With a fresh perspective on work, an entrepreneurial edge, and an interest in lifelong learning, millennials worker can teach boomers plenty of new tricks when it comes to succeeding in the workplace. Some examples include…
Connectivity: As the first generation of digital natives, millennials are completely wired when it comes to social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. That ease with connectivity carries over to the workplace where instant messaging and other collaborative tools are re-defining communication dynamics. Writing in the Huffington Post, Neale Godfrey, chairman of the Children’s Financial Network wrote about how her perception of Millennials changed after working with a young entrepreneur. Particularly, he helped her see the possibilities “with the new world of connectivity via social networking.”
Work-life balance: The boomer work ethic is undeniable, and often enviable. Yet for many boomers the tendency to prioritize work over all other aspects of life comes with a hefty price to happiness, health and more. Millennials saw some of their parents burn out and want no part of it. A common millennial attitude is that work is an important priority, but doesn’t come at the expense of working out, spending time with friends or personal development. According to a new survey of nearly 10,000 workers in eight countries by Ernst & Young’s Global Generations Research, Millennials were most likely to say they would take a pay cut, forgo a promotion or be willing to move to better manage work-life demands.
Guilt-free working: Just about any boomer who has worked from home has suffered from how-do-they-know-I-am-really-working guilt syndrome. Most millennials have no such complex, and serve as living examples that work is an activity not a place. Working with remote teams has opened boomers up to the potential for being effective and engaged, regardless of where you are sitting. According to the latest New Way to Work Index, 43% of employees would choose flexible working over a pay raise. So odds are, a millennial won’t give you a sideways glance when you say you will be working at home. A more likely response will be “works for me!”
Frequent feedback: Boomers may have grown accustom to the traditional once or twice a year performance review, but in the fast changing work environment that rarely cuts it anymore. Research from the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School found 80% of Millennials would prefer feedback in real time rather than get it from traditional performance reviews. While millennials desire for steady feedback is often a source of criticism, the reality is that whether on the giving or receiving end it, a more steady stream of feedback keeps workers more engaged in the daily challenges and opportunities that present themselves on the job.
Entrepreneurial spirit: Most millennials instinctively seem to know that thriving in today’s rapidly changing work environment requires continuous learning, acquisition of new skills and calculated risk-taking. The UNC survey also found 92% of surveyed 21 to 24 year-olds said that entrepreneurship education was vital in the new economy – and 30% of respondents had started a business in college.With boomers working longer than their predecessors the millennial bent toward seeking new opportunities or launching a business can serve as both inspirational and instructive to boomers.
Ultimately, it is impossible, and frankly, not very helpful, to debate which generation is more effective in the workplace. By collaborating, respecting differences and learning from one another, both boomers and millennials are bound to be better off.
