- They have developed work characteristics and tendencies from doting parents, structured lives, and contact with diverse people.
- They're used to working in teams and want to make friends with people at work.
- They have a "can-do" attitude about tasks at work and look for feedback about their performance frequently—even daily.
- They seek leadership (and even structure) from older and managerial co-workers, but expect that you will draw out and respect their ideas.
- They seek challenges and are used to balancing many activities such as teams, friends, and philanthropic activities.
- They want flexibility in scheduling and a life away from work.
- They need to see where their career is going and exactly what they need to do to get there.
- They are connected all over the world by e-mail, instant messages, text messages, and the Internet (and may look to network right out of their current workplace if their needs are not met).
Heathfield offers the following suggestions for managing Millennials:
1. Provide structure (e.g., reports with monthly due dates, certain activities scheduled every day, meetings with agendas and minutes, goals that are clearly stated, and assessments of progress.)
2. Provide leadership and guidance. Millennials want to look up to you, learn from you, and receive daily feedback from you.
3. Encourage the Millennials' self-assuredness, can-do attitude, and positive self-image. Millennials are ready to take on the world. Encourage this attitude whenever possible.
4. Take advantage of their comfort level with teams. Ask them to join in at meetings. They are used to working in groups and teams, so don't be afraid to mentor, coach, and train your Millennials as a team.
5. Provide challenge and change wherever you can. Millennials seek ever-changing tasks within their work.
