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Five years from now, millennials will represent 35 per cent of the Australian workforce. Born between 1980 and 1995, they grew up with the internet and have never known anything else. Workplaces are facing a near even split between these 'digital natives' and more senior staff who still remember (and might prefer) phones and face-to-face engagement.
Sounds like a recipe for chaos? Not necessarily. Here are five guidelines for successfully managing the new multi-generational workplace and tailoring your management styles.
Set basic standards of professionalism
While many workplaces are more informal than they used to be, professionalism still matters. For example, many millennials are expert keyboard jockeys who send dozens of instant messages a day, but a casual approach to spelling and grammar might confuse or irritate older workers in a professional setting. Set clear and consistent expectations.
Let people communicate how they want
Millennials gravitate towards instant messaging and email; older workers prefer phone or face-to-face conversations. In the middle, many Gen Xers are comfortable with a mixture of old and new. Don’t disregard social media for communication – over half of millennials say they won’t work for an employer that bans it. Let workers use the channels they are most effective with, but try to discourage over-reliance on one channel if it isolates them from others.
Let them choose their technology
Over 90 per cent of millennials can now access information anywhere, and four out of 10 don’t even have a landline. They want the latest technology – and the freedom to choose it. Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) does pose a potential security risk, but when you allow employees to use the technology they are most adept with, their productivity can improve.
Be a good teacher
Fifty-six per cent of millennials want their managers to also be coaches and mentors so keep that in mind when shifting your management styles. Getting senior staff to share their vast store of knowledge and experience – and, at the same time, learn about the latest technology and cultural trends from younger colleagues – can help build mutual respect.
Be flexible
Millennials want to see the world, and nine out of 10 don’t expect to stay in a job for more than three years. Work-life balance is crucial, with around half wanting more holidays and more flexibility. With remote office technology now widely accessible, you may soon be managing a workforce of ‘digital nomads’ and independent freelancers.
At the end of the day, younger generations don’t want to work less – they just want to work smarter. By focusing on productivity rather than hours clocked in, every generation benefits.
Learn more about working with tech-savvy millennials and tailoring your management styles with our free SlideShare.
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