Things Millennials Like to Hear in the Workplace

By now, everyone works with a millennial in some capacity. Check out these things you should say to them in order to foster strong relationships.

Thank You
Like their baby boomer parents, millennials gravitate toward words of affirmation as their language of appreciation. They are enhanced by this kind of recognition particularly if it is timely and immediate.

Thought leader, Keven Sheridan in his book “Best Seller” claims that saying “thank you” is the number one driver of employee engagement; something to keep in mind when dealing with millennials.

This trend is consistent with the research done on public sector engagement by motivation experts Chester Elton and Adrian Gostick. They found that the need for recognition is more intense for younger workers as they enter the workplace and tends to subside for older employees.

Where Do You Want to Go In Your Career and How Can I Help You Get There
This statement hits the sweet spot for millennials in a couple of ways. Number 1, it intensifies their desire for quick, continuous improvement since they enter our public work spaces aiming for the top. Secondly, it reinforces their need for an older adult presence in their lives since they come into our workplaces mentored, taught, coached, supervised, counseled and tutored by a bevy of adult role models from helicopter parents to after school consultants.

Here is What I Think We Need to Accomplish
This kind of language sets expectations for millennials. We must remember that many millennials were raised in structured environments from the moment they came out of their mother’s womb to the day they graduated college.

I have heard many millennials recount their formative years of non-stop learning activities that extended into the summer months. Many of them carried their local library card with them right next to their community center pass. Some of them had visited their first museum before they saw the interior of their first mall.

I Want to Utilize Your Strengths
This is music to the ears of millennials. They have been conditioned to deliberately practice their crafts such as travel soccer, spelling bee competitions or piano lessons. They know what they are good at and play to the ceiling of their strengths. They have been fine tuned in the practice of deliberately repeating things they excel at. They want to transfer this personal development mindset into the workplace.

I Want You to Know I Have Your Back
As one of the most social generations, it is important for millennials to have tight connections both digital and personal. millennials have risen to the top with the realization that an adult parent, coach, religious leader or teacher was always right behind them to pick them up if they ever failed. millennials need everlasting arms in the workplace.

I Want Your Opinion
Most millennials were parented in a style that said I am your guardian as well as your friend and partner. They enjoy being around people older than them and relish moments when more senior people asked them for their input.

What Are Your Interests Outside of Work
The research is clear that millennials are out to change the world. Many of them use this value to decide where to work as they determine if the employer’s core principles match their aspirations. It is important to make connections with millennial interests outside the workplace since they bring these notions with them to work. They do not see a distinction between making a difference in the world and having an impact in the workplace.

Some may say, “Don’t all generations want these same things.” Yes but they want them delivered in methods that custom fit their generational values. Millennials are no different. Not in a “me generation” way but in a “we generation way.” The faster we understand that and help them get on of their way, the quicker they will be able to change the world for the betterment of not just themselves but us all.