Let’s face it. Most businesses today have employees from every decade working side by side. And a great deal of attention and research has been written trying to figure out each generational group. In Episode 28, we sat done with a Millennial to understand the work habits of our youngest employee group. Today, we are in the studio learning more about this generation – but from another perspective.
Episode Notes
Meet our friend Blain Wease, the president of Provincial Development Group. His team has been helping organizations since 2004. Based in Franklin, TN, they provide leadership and business growth strategies to organizations. He shares some important insight business leaders must understand about the Millennial workforce.
Above all, Blain warns leaders of the dangers in holding a negative predisposition with folks from other generations. Instead he offers, be optimistic about what you can learn and you will in fact learn from them. Regardless of age, every employee has gifts to give the organization
Many Millennials don’t measure tenure in years, but in experience. This focus on bringing value to a team is not measured in linear time. And in today’s fast-moving marketplace, gaining value quickly can move goals forward even though your employee may not be prepared to give 10 years of service.
This generation also brings a sense of creativity and wonder to the organization. They ask “why?” in a way that, when received well, can stop long-revered practices that no longer add value but instead consider innovative ideas that could propel financial returns. Blain calls this balance the “magic zone” for teams.
How can older leaders create an openness to Millennial employees?
- Hold to an “inside out” perspective – be authentic, employees will dismiss your message if the messenger’s character is in question
- Pursue humility – believe you can learn from everyone and value every contribution
- Explore the ambiguity of creativity: ask questions without the certainty of where the question may take you
- Sincerity – Real relationship with your team always narrows the generation gap
Interested in more information on this topic? Connect with Blain and his team at provincialdevelopment.com
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