Myth: Millennial employees have no respect for authority.
Reality: Millennial employees have great respect for leaders and loyalty. But no, as a rule they don't respect authority "just because." For the younger generations, every ounce of loyalty and respect must be earned. But when it is earned, it is given fiercely.In fact, loyalty to the individual's leaders and boss is the number one reason Gen Xers and Millennial employees stay in a job, especially during the first three, tenuous years. Dissatisfaction with the boss is the number one reason they quit. So in order to increase retention, managers must take a flipped view on leadership - it is no longer enough to hire the right people and show them the way, now you must be the right person to win their affection. Sounds a little touchy-feely for the workforce? Yes, but the more quickly leaders understand this new relationship, the faster you will see the reward: retention of Millennial employees.
There is one big caveat to the "be the person they want you to be" approach to leadership, however. Millennials have a tendency to seek tight bonds; they want a boss who is close, caring, and aware. And, you can be all that as the boss of a Millennial. But, be careful. It is very easy to cross the line from "boss as advocate" to "boss as friend." That is a slippery slope.
Friendship can be especially tempting in situations where managers and employees are close in age. When activities outside of the office become too regular, too casual, or largely social in nature, it is time to examine how this will affect your role as a boss and leader. What Millennial employees need most from their boss is a guide - not a social life.
Myth: They don't want to grow up.
Reality: Millennial employees really don't know how to grow up. The youngest generations in today's workforce are facing a delayed adulthood. They are getting married later, having children later and just generally facing the "real world" later. This isn't the result of a mutated maturity gene, it just is.And, if we are being completely honest about this situation, Boomers had a lot to do with why it's happening.
- As parents, Boomers had a tendency to coddle their children and use their own good fortune to make sure their children didn't experience adversity.
- As career models, Boomers demonstrated the toll of working long hours and "paying their dues" in a way that made their children less likely to follow in their footsteps. Millennials today look at the corporate ladder and think, "there must be another way."
Advice About Managing Millennials
Don't waste time wishing your Millennial employees were different. Don't spend your energy comparing today's youth to the desires and drive you had at age 18. These employees are not a reflection of you, nor are they an earlier version of you. And again, that is okay. Your task is to take this new understanding and use it to reposition how you interact with, motivate, and reward your staff.Take attire for instance. Your 18-year-old self would have gladly donned whatever uniform was necessary to fit the company mold. Be it pressed khakis and a tie or a specific corporate uniform, fitting in was part of the package. Today's youth wants to stand out. They want their individuality to shine through even when required to provide a consistent standard of service and performance. Balancing corporate needs with individual desires takes some creative thinking.
Home Depot is one company that has addressed this dilemma at a very basic level - company uniforms. They simply require that all employees wear a standard Home Depot apron. Be yourself underneath (within reason) and show the customer that you are on the Home Depot team with this bright orange apron. Is there a standard that you can adopt to accommodate individual preferences? Something to think about. Not all change is bad.
The myths surrounding today's young employees are not always what they seem. Attitudes toward work, life, loyalty, and respect have all changed, but each is still considered valuable. In fact, some of the demands made by today's youth are creating positive benefits for employees in every generation.
Flexibilty and respect for the individual, as well as the organization, are good for everyone. Loyalty from younger employees, once earned, is long-lasting. The adjustments you make to accommodate the changing attitudes of today's youth will be returned to you tenfold with decreased turnover, improved morale, and measurable business results.
And when the frustration mounts, just remember things aren't always what they seem. Open your mind to the possibility that there is a benign, generational reason for the disconnect between what you want and what your Millennial employees are providing, and you may just find room to create a shared vision of success.
