Managing millennials: Answering the ‘why’
During NAFCUâÂÂs Annual Conference and Solutions Expo last week there were several breakout sessions regarding the millennial generation â those typically born between 1977 and 1995 â and how they think, their expectations and details about their financial and lifestyle habits.
Not surprisingly, all the sessions had a large turnout. As we work to understand this next generation, many of us are also figuring out how best to lead and manage millennials within our organizations.
Forbes contributor Victor Lipman, in a recent article, explains why millennials might not respond well to old âÂÂcommand-and-control tactics.â He said this generation needs the âÂÂwhyâ answered more than the âÂÂwhat.âÂÂ
âÂÂIf management is able to give them a cause to believe in, a reason to care about the work theyâÂÂre doing, a (legitimate) reason to believe that their role is helping to make a constructive difference in the world⦠well, then weâÂÂre speaking a language less like Sanskrit and closer to their own,â he wrote.
Simply put, this generation seems to care less about status, titles, an office with four walls and a little more money. ThatâÂÂs not to say those things donâÂÂt matter, but tapping their passion is what will energize them.
If youâÂÂre running into conflict when managing and leading millennials, try explaining why a task matters and how it fits into the big picture.
NAFCU employs many millennials â all full of big ideas and ready to make an impact. ThereâÂÂs always a learning curve when adopting new leadership tactics, but itâÂÂs well worth it once you tap into the passion and excitement of this generation.