5 Tips On How To Effectively Manage Millenials

Managers who think that they can't work with Millennials may need to learn new skills that help them work with young professionals. Millennials aren't the future. They are the present. Instead of fighting against them, use these five tips to manage them more effectively.

Focus on Results Instead of Processes

Millennials tend to care more about results than how someone achieves those results. Since most of them believe that individuals have unique strengths and weaknesses, Millennials often want to make their own rules. They don't see why the process matters as long as they reach their assigned goals.

Managers may get better results by stepping aside and letting Millennials find their own paths to success. As long as an employee gets his or her job done, try to avoid stressing over issues like dress codes and schedules. Many Millennials don't think those things matter.

Define Goals and Offer Feedback

Many Millennials have a strong do-it-yourself ethic that helps them find innovative ways to solve problems. Managers can make the most of this work ethic by clearly defining goals. You'll also bring out their best by offering frequent feedback that lets them know whether they're making good progress or if they have gotten a bit off track.

Take Advantage of Technology

Millennials are the first people to use the Internet throughout their lives. They started using computers as young children, and they've continued to grow with technology by adopting smartphones, tablets, and wearables.

Some managers don't understand how much Millennials rely on technology for communication. Managers may want to talk to employees in person. At the very least, they want to hear their employees' voices on the other end of the phone.

Millennials find this intrusive and confusing. They prefer to communicate via texts and social media sites. Take advantage of this instead of letting it become a barrier to communication.

Keep Up With Management Trends

Having years of work experience has its advantages, but it doesn't necessarily prepare you for managing Millennials. Many managers get so used to doing things a certain way that they forget the rest of the world is changing around them.

Staying up-to-date with the latest management trends could help you manage Millennials more effectively. You may want to consider joining an online MBA no GMAT program.

Since online classes let you set your own schedule, you can keep working while earning your degree. Some online colleges even offer accelerated programs that allow students to earn MBAs in just 18 months.

Drop All Pretensions

Business leaders often complain that Millennials have an attitude of entitlement that doesn't work well in office politics. You can look at it like that, but it's more accurate to say that Millennials simply don't pay much attention to rigid hierarchies.

Managers who drop pretensions are more likely to develop strong relationships with Millennial employees. If you ask them to call you "sir" or "ma'am," they'll just make fun of you when you aren't around.

Instead, reach out to them as members of the same team. Focus on your shared goals.

Have you managed Millennials before? What was your experience like?

JT Ripton is a freelance business, tech and lifestyle writer out of Tampa, FL. When he's not writing, he's consulting with start up businesses around the area helping them succeed, and checking out the newest things in tech.