What millennials want in the workplace

Easily distracted, impatient, entitled, self-absorbed, lazy, unlikely to stay in any job for long. These are often how millennials (those born after 1982 and before 2004) are described in the workplace. However, research shows that millennials are the driving force behind change in the workplace. It is estimated that by the year 2020 millennials will make up most of the workforce and take over many leadership roles. If you are reading this, there’s a good chance you are a millennial and this is music to your ears.

How can we understand millennials better and engage with them to build better businesses?

Millennials are not looking to just fill an empty chair within a company. They are strategically looking for opportunities where they can make a difference within a place that makes a difference.

Millennials want work with a purpose - Not just a “nine to fiver” with a salary at the end of each month. Most approach a new job with expectations and goals. They want their work to have meaning and a defined purpose, while using their unique talents and strengths and building on their skills. They want their job to fit in with their lives. When your job makes you feel like you have a purpose you are more likely to engage in the workplace rather than feeling like you’re slaving away until you can clock out at 5 on the dot. For millennials, it’s all about Passion!

Stability - Contrary to popular belief, this is something millennials value the most. Although they are known to change jobs frequently, job security and stability rank very high for them when choosing a new role. Benefits like medical aid, paid leave and retirement funds are the kind of perks millennials look for when applying for a job. These are the benefits that offer flexibility and lead to a better life.

Let’s communicate more - Millennials want to talk to their managers. Not just that once a month status meeting, where the entire staff is addressed. E-mails are antiquated, and face to face conversation is expected. Millennials want to set goals, and receive ongoing feedback that motivates them to do outstanding work. By having frequent informal chats with managers, employees can see how their day-to-day work is linked to the overall goals of the organisation, in turn making them feel like they have a purpose.

Let’s work together - Leadership styles need to adapt to millennials’ needs and expectations. Rather than creating boxes for each employee, managers need to be more flexible in their approach to leadership. Collaboration is important. Many millennials see leadership as an act not a title, and want to work with their managers rather than just for them.

Jamie Gutfreund, Chief Strategy Officer (Intelligence Group) says that Intelligence Group studies of millennials have found that:

• 64% of them say it’s a priority for them to make the world a better place.
• 72% would like to be their own boss. But if they do have to work for a boss, 79% of them would want that boss to serve more as a coach or mentor.
• 88% prefer a collaborative work-culture rather than a competitive one.
• 74% want flexible work schedules.
• And 88% want “work-life integration,” which isn't the same as work-life balance, since work and life now blend together inextricably.

The common thread among these notions and what's important to millennials is that change is not only expected but good. The predictions from previous generations, such as high turnover, less productivity, and a false sense of entitlement- will most likely not happen. So, cheers to a more fun, flexible, highly productive and entrepreneurial workplace that will allow employees to grow and maximize their full potential.