5 Things Every Millennial Should Know
I’ve often been amused by articles that promise Millennials the best way to get ahead in the workplace. Many are penned by non-Millennials who are proponents of our generation’s stigmas. Just saying "Millennial" in a conversation will drum up eye-rolling and the accusation of erratic, disloyal, egocentric, competitive, overdependence of technology and other behavioral traits. Since it’s our generation’s responsibility to set forth a paradigm shift in such a perception, I’ll offer a few bits of advice to help my Millennial colleagues gain the trust and respect of their leaders:
1. Make an impact by supporting, not destroying your team.
Making an impact doesn’t have to come from shredding the "old school" ways on your first day. Start by establishing relationships with everyone you meet: your peers, supervisors, executives, even the friendly face at the front desk. Take the time to find out about what they’re working on, and how your skills may help them to accomplish their goals.
2. Use technology to help your company’s objectives.
Instead of fuming with frustration while senior leadership loads a PowerPoint presentation, lend a hand. The information is sound even if the technological skills are not. Likewise, eCommerce, cloud computing, and mobile technology are no longer frivolous options, but necessary tools for business success. Use your Millennial techno-skills to identify and support company objectives.
3. Your idea is not always the holy grail of ideas.
This may seem like an epiphany to a Millennial armed with an MBA and a 4G connection, but you may not have the most current and best information on how to shape a project, and the vast majority of successful plans do not materialize overnight. Seek collaborative input from your peers and supervisors. While your plan may have seemed brilliant to you in the shower, it’s probably only the ground floor of where you could take it.
4. Never stop learning.
I’ll admit that this one is a little self-serving for me as a training manager, but I’m a Millennial right? There are countless ways to develop professionally and they don’t always include online classes. Try partnering with associations, local young professionals networks, nonprofits, and even your local chamber! Whatever you choose, make sure you stay active and keep challenging yourself.
5. Wait!
Exercising patience may be hard to do because we have grown up in an instant-gratification and celebratory world. Millennials have tried to turn the workplace into a grown-up version of the schoolyard game "King of the Mountain" where you fight everyone to get to the top and stay there as long as you can. Instead, embrace the journey. The titles, money, corner office, big home, and car will come. For now, learn from those around you.
It’s well understood that Millennials will become the next generation of global leaders. First, we must negate the stigmas that bind us by acting contrary to them. In time, we’ll inherit all the responsibility that we’re so desperately looking to garner now.
 Brandon M. Springer-McConnell is a Millennial who oversees Learning & Development for 200 TMI Hospitality properties. He was also a trainer for Disney.
Case Study
I manage a regional trade association in light manufacturing. The majority of our members are family-owned businesses, and it is the fifty- and sixty-something owners who attend our meetings and serve on committees. We have struggled for the past several years to get their younger colleagues, off-spring and otherwise to participate, but with little success. This is beginning to have a material impact on both our finances and morale. The long-time members are at a loss as to what to do and potential young members brush us off as not seeing the value. What’s the solution?
Associations have long been the province of the Baby Boom. As they transition into retirement, every association is being faced with this challenge. These groups are now being hit simultaneously by a sour economy and a generational shift. It’s understandable that your long-time members would feel mystified, even betrayed, by the lack of interest from the emerging generations, especially if they are family. Here are a few suggestions:
Augment your on-line presence – The emerging generations turn to their computers and mobile devices for information, connections and communication. This means your website will have to become the primary way through which you connect with these young people. Remember that you are competing for share of mind with consumer, entertainment and even vendor sites. Ask your young members to critique your site and make suggestions. You might even find a couple who are willing to improve it.
Revisit your meeting structure and frequency – Those under 40 are all about balance of work and life. This means that the five hour commitment required for most meetings had better be worth it. Given the opportunity, most would prefer to meet virtually or just download the meeting content. In some associations, meetings have developed a reputation for being the province of the good old boys. If that’s the case, you face an uphill battle trying to alter perceptions. You might begin by forming a young executives network that meets at a separate time. Don’t be offended if they want to do it virtually. It’s better to get them involved on their terms than not at all. Once this has been established, you can work to foster synergy between the generations.
Focus on connection with colleagues – With the advent of social networking, the terms "friend", "member", and "colleague" have taken on new meaning. Emerging leaders think nothing of searching for the information they need from any source. If the association is not part of that conversation, you will be viewed as out-of-date or, even worse, irrelevant. Does the association tweet about resources, referrals, current events, issues, meetings and so on? Are you a member of the industry affiliated groups on LinkedIn and Facebook? Are you flagging relevant posts and discussions using Google Alerts? Are you the source of the insights young leaders can’t get anywhere else? Joining the conversation is no longer an option, it’s a requirement.
Enhance proprietary content and resources – Here’s a tough question: What does your association offer members that they cannot get anywhere else for free? In my mind, these offerings fall into three categories – connection with like-minded colleagues, proprietary research, and legislative advocacy. You may think of others. Form a task force to explore what the association can do to set itself apart from the millions of "sources" produced during a Web search. As much as typing a phrase into Google produces lots of data, little of it is the kind of tailored knowledge you can generate being an industry insider. Time is money. Getting young leaders to understand that the association is the source for relevant knowledge and great connections is the key to your success going forward.
Promote your advocacy for the industry – Most young leaders are acutely aware of the role lobbying plays in today’s legislative arena. Young members would be hard-pressed to find a more effective way to connect with Washington and the statehouses than through the established connections you already maintain. Invite them to join you. Seek out their ideas. Come up to speed on the on-line strategies being used to push or defeat legislation. Emerging executives recognize that the future of the industry can be significantly altered by new regulations. Approach them about this and you’ll probably find a willing ear.
To provide you with even more ideas, I have posted a series of slides on SlideShare.net that I use when addressing this issue with association executives.The bottom line is that even though many current members would like to maintain the status quo for their own feelings of comfort and validity, the way you deliver services, content and connection will have to change significantly in the coming few years. If it does not, you’ll run the risk of being bypassed by young industry leaders who will connect without consulting you.
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