As one of the largest generations in U.S. history, Millennials range in age from mid-teens to early 30s. They’ve garnered no shortage of attention for negative stereotypes and bad work habits, but not all those sentiments are fair. Here’s 6 misconceptions about the millennial generation. Â
6. Perpetual Tech Obsession
Image via Flickr by Lord Jim
Millennials grew up in an age of increasing tech dependency and digital integration. Computer classes were their norm and the Internet was always in their lives from childhood. As a result, many falsely assume that they can’t part with their smartphone for longer than three seconds. The truth is, all that tech immersion is a little overwhelming for Millennials, who prefer human interaction over talking to a screen, says research from Cornerstone OnDemand.Â
5. Money and Benefits Motivated
Want to hire a plucky Millennial? Just give them a tiny increase in salary or better perks than their current employer, says the glaring misconception. Research from Pew Research Center reveals that Millennials are no more motivated by salary than their generational predecessors and may practice better debt management habits than their parents. From 2007 through 2010, peak years of The Great Recession, the median debt in households headed by those younger than 35 years old fell 29 percent.
4. Need Constant Positive Feedback
As part of the “everyone gets a trophy” generation, young people purportedly need pats on the back every hour or so to keep up productivity and a generally good attitude about life. That opinion is, of course, an exaggeration that ignores how a healthy workforce operates. Positive reinforcement is essential for every employee to feel confident in their job. Millennials don’t need instant praise. They like working towards it as a reward for a job well done, just like everyone else. Employers could do a lot worse than having team members who strive hard to advance company goals.Â
3. No Organizational Loyalty
A lack of committment leads younger workers to jump ship for new job opportunities every couple of years. This false assumption is actually a response to a lack of advancement opportunities thanks to entrenched (older) management. Millennials want to make steady career progress and will flock to companies that offer those chances. This generation doesn’t want to stagnate in lesser roles or fritter their years away in middle management. They have entrepreneurial spirit and an eye to hold decision-making positions within businesses.
Do the Generational Math: As the youngest members of the U.S. workforce, it’s normal for Millennials to change jobs more often than workers in their 50s and 60s. There’s nothing out of the ordinary about such behavior. Â Â
2. Zero Respect for Authority
Image via Flickr by Christopher.Michel
Doesn’t every older generation think the younger one doesn’t respect their elders? Gen X and Baby Boomer employers applied this adage in broad strokes to recent college grads and young adults looking for work. Their belief that Millennials can’t obey orders or follow a chain of command, is without merit. Obeying teachers, parents, coaches and all types of instructors is in their DNA. This is the most tested and graded generation the United States has ever produced. Managers and business owners can use this to their advantage to shape company culture. Define the components needed for success and the emergent employee population will shine. Â
1. Feelings of Entitlement
Wanting to have things “handed to them” is constant background noise for new Millennials entering the job market. A closer look at what outsiders perceive as a misplaced sense of entitlement is really just higher expectations for modern businesses. They demand fairness in the workplace, equal treatment of everyone regardless of background and a positive environment. That’s not displaying an unwillingness to strive harder, but demanding everyone uphold higher standards for excellence. Since these employees will form 75 percent of the working population by 2030, employers had better start cleaning their houses of all the drudgery. Â Â
The global business landscape is in the midst of rapid expansion and almost daily change. Ditching preconceived notions about those who will have a large say on what that picture looks like in the future is essential.