Millenials in Our Midst

We plan to facilitate a conversation about what a millennial is and what different generations may have in common. Some ideas about millenials: Millennials like to chase ‘bright, shiny objects’, in a school/work context... [ view full abstract ]

We plan to facilitate a conversation about what a millennial is and what different generations may have in common. Some ideas about millenials:

Millennials like to chase ‘bright, shiny objects’, in a school/work context and outside it. How do we motivate a millennial to participate, how do we help to retain and develop them within the University?

Millennials are known by some as the ‘trophy’ generation, where they are used to being winners. When reality hits in the University context, and they are no longer winning at everything, or winning because they show their best efforts. This takes some getting-used-to for them. How do we sandwich criticism and help them embrace feedback as learning opportunities while continuing to stroke their egos?

Millennials creatively problem solve collaboratively with others. They want to know the why of things, and want to see the metrics and the data. We need to avoid telling them what to do and how to do it. How do we best design class assignments? How do we convey relevance and impact?

Millennials love technology and devices, and communicate and connect differently than those of other generations. So accept that they communicate differently, but how do we help them do what they do in a professional manner? When a millennials’ love-of-devices makes them appear unfocused and un-engaged in the classroom, how do we help them understand how he/she is coming across and to make different choices?

Millennials may be more experienced and less fearful of trying new things, especially around technology, so we need to use this to our advantage. They also have an entrepreneurial streak. Millennials love to continuously learn and grown. So, how do we challenge them?

Millennials tell it the way it is – they are clear and transparent and direct in general. This is great, but how do we provide lessons in strategy or tact, so they learn to be respectful?




Resources:

Steve Bilbo, Senior Program Manager and Engineer, You Sound OLD! – Stop Saying This at Work (what boomers need to stop saying) and You Sound Too Young!! – Stop Saying This at Work (what millennials need to stop saying)

Daniel Pink, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

Lynn Lancaster, David Stillman, The M-Factor: How the Millennial Generation Is Rocking the Workplace