There’s one important thing many overlook when calling Millennials lazy. Millennials aren’t just using the free time they’ve got to sit around. Instead, they are much more likely to use this spare time on self-improvement and investing in themselves and their future. Contrary to their bad reputation for narcissistic job-hoppers, Millennials are more likely than other generations to sign up for online classes or to use different learning apps. When trying something new, Millennials usually strive to be the “best” in new skills such as learning a new language on a language app.
Millennials represent a more diverse generation than baby boomers or gen Xers. Such negative representations of Millennials can affect workplace harmony. These myths leave older employees worrying about how to approach Millennials. Millennials want to take new approaches, not just to bow to the old ways of doing things. Having grown up with computers, smartphones, and the Internet, they feel at home in the digital world, unlike the older generation.
The Importance of Unlocking the Potential of New Talent
The problem is, today’s companies are profit-focused and have lost the levels of loyalty that employees gave them in the past. And the misconception surrounding the work ethic of Millennials makes employers hesitant to hire them.
However, unlocking the potential of new talent is essential to survival in today’s global modern society. Stereotypes present problems, not just for Millennials who – naturally want to be accepted and judged fairly, but also for other employees who get false impressions. Everyone in the workforce has to have accurate information about millennials and accept that the work they do today is an introduction to how they will shape our future.
Debunking the Lazy Millennial Stereotypes
Each of these stereotypes is just one side of a coin. However, the other side always offers a more sensible interpretation.
Older employees criticize Millennials’ tendency for working “when and where they want.” They look at this casual style as “laziness,” and as “not being willing enough to do the work. ”
But at the same time, Millennials aren’t lazy at all. They have a modern perspective about work: focus on the targets, not the means. They recognize that the most significant result of their work should be to achieve particular goals, and that’s why they work how they work. How long it takes to finish a task, and where they do it is secondary. Millennial behavior only shows modern perceptions of work. They find that the conventional 9-to-5 model often includes unnecessary meetings and similar time-wasters, while they actually prioritize productivity.
So, how can you adapt your workplace to Millennials’ modern sense of productivity? Take the following steps :
- Focus on your company’s ultimate goals, not on how to reach them.
- Offer a variety of work environments appropriate for different goals and tasks.
- Avoid micromanaging at all costs
- Give the employees permission to work from where they are most productive and, most importantly, during their most productive times.
Don’t forget Millennials are the future of your business, so maybe you should slowly start adapting to their way of working. Discover the best way to help your Millennial employees consistently connect with your leadership team, and predictably turn them into highly engaged employees. Call me for some complimentary advice. Book an appointment at https://go.oncehub.com/GregNichvalodoff or call me at +1 (604) 943-0800.
