Millennials Aren’t The Problem. You Are.

Leading Millennials

Ouch, did that hurt to read as much as it did for me to type it out? The title stings. It’s accusatory. And, more often than not, I believe this is true.

Millennials aren’t the problem. Just like the Baby Boomers or Gen Xers weren’t the problem either when they began to invade the workforce.

Young man pointing his finger towards you in an accusatory manner

Photo by Adi Goldstein

The problem was and continues to be, the previous generation. That means you and I are the problem.

Millennials Aren’t The Problem

Millennials have received a bad rap. From the media to your friends and family, you’ve probably heard of the negative aspects of millennials.

Older generations are stuck in a continuous loop. Much like the generation before, they were accused of the same inaction, laziness, and downfall of the United States as the millennials are being accused.

Creating Environments Millennials Want To Work In

Leading Millennials

What does it take to get a millennial to want to come work in your organization? That’s the question that goes through the minds of many leaders.

It’s a fearful question. Thankfully, this question can also be answered.

Fun mural on an office wall hallway

Photo by Kolapo Oni

We’re going to look at what it takes to make an environment millennials want to work in. It’s going to look different than what you may have worked in before or even want to work in.

Creating Environments Millennials Want To Work In

How do we answer the question of what kind of environment do millennials want to work in? It’s easy. You take a look at what motivates and makes millennials want to work.

You do this, you will engage the millennial generation at work.

To create an environment millennials want to work in, you will have to:

Getting Millennials To Work

Leading Millennials

When you hear the words millennial and work together, you may instantly think about the ways millennials will try to get out of work. You may have a negative connotation towards millennials that skews your idea of how their work ethic is.

We need to break this mindset. Millennials are not lazy. They are not looking for ways to get out of work, well… any more than you or I would. And they’re not looking to do the least amount of work to get paid.

3 millennials sitting at a table with laptops

Photo by Helena Lopes

These are some of the big misconceptions about millennials. They’re also wrong.

Getting Millennials To Work

You may be wondering how this can be. How can millennials really want to work when the media has told us that they don’t? That’s a good question.

The truth is the media has misled people about the work ethic of millennials. Their work ethic is as strong as yours and mine.

Why You Should Welcome Millennials Onto Your Team

Leading Millennials

You may be thinking you don’t want to welcome millennials onto your team. They’re lazy. They have no work ethic. And they’re going to leave anyway.

I have to say, your thinking would be wrong to think millennials won’t benefit your team. They won’t destroy your organization. They won’t make you less productive.

Millennials sitting around a table discussing business

Photo by Annie Spratt

What they will do is amaze you. All you have to do is give them a chance.

Millennials are a great bunch of people. They’re passionate and excited to make a difference in the world. They desire to use their passion to help organizations succeed. All of this and more will help your organization, not hurt it.

Why You Should Welcome Millennials Onto Your Team

I’ve mentioned a few things already on why millennials will help your organization. We’re going to dive in deeper and see how millennials help organizations like yours.

5 Ways Millennials Are Changing Leadership

Leading Millennials

Leadership is changing. It always is. That’s something that will never change.

Everything else in leadership can change. The technology used to lead and connect people. The communication tools we keep in contact. And the skills needed to run a successful business.

Laptop and coffee sitting on a desk

Photo by Toa Heftiba

The only thing that is constant in leadership (and, really, life) is change.

You have to be okay with change. It’s coming. It’s coming for you.

With the rise of the millennial generation, change is coming even faster. Millennials are change agents through and through.

5 Ways Millennials Are Changing Leadership

While change has been constant since the dawn of time, change is coming quickly with millennials. Especially as they enter into leadership positions.

These changes aren’t something to be feared. Rather, you can begin to embrace the change millennials bring. In doing so, you’ll place your organization on the leading edge.