It seems that the previous generations (Baby Boomers and Gen Xers, but mostly Gen X) are having some difficulties relating and managing their employees who are classified as Millennials or Gen Y. Generation Y is considered anyone who was born between 1980 and early 2000’s…
Now this has been a problem probably sine the beginning of time. But the headlines make it feel like this is a new situation. The current complaint is that they are asking for something different than what their predecessors had to go through.
Millennials have grown up with a tremendous amount of oversight from their parents, teachers and society. They have been referred to as the “Trophy Kids” who received accolades for the mere act of showing up. Their parents are known as “Helicopter Parents” because they never taught their kids to deal with situations without direct oversight and no control.
One of the suggested ways to deal with this group is with mentorship. This mentorship can work both ways. The Millennial needs to have oversight and immediate feedback, but are tech savvy, and should therefore be teamed up with someone who, as an executive, needs brushing up on their technology. Again, this is not a new or revolutionary idea. It makes good business sense.
We all need to keep adapting to survive in an ever changing work environment. This includes the Millennials and their managers.