Millennials are the largest generation in today’s workforce, bringing with them expectations and values that differ significantly from traditional office culture. They challenge conventional leadership styles and seek communication, relationship-building, and empowerment in their work lives.
To lead a workforce full of millennials successfully, it is essential to understand their desires, needs, and expectations. We’ll explore the key leadership components millennials look for and share the essential traits of millennial leaders that all businesses should understand.
What Do Millennials Seek in a Leader?
Businesses aiming to attract and retain talented millennial employees must implement leadership structures that resonate with this group. Millennials value the following elements in their work life and look for leadership teams that can provide them:
1. Mission-Based Role Assignment: To appeal to millennials, businesses must ensure their mission statements serve a compelling purpose beyond merely selling a product or service.
2. Acknowledgment of Life Outside Work: Leaders must understand that millennials’ needs and concerns outside of work directly impact their performance. Additionally, millennials with families want their employers to address crucial issues like health insurance and paid leave for parental responsibilities.
3. Attention as Individuals, Not as a Group: Millennials want leaders who can see each individual employee holistically, recognizing specific strengths and needs.
4. Encouragement to Work Toward Something Greater: Millennials are driven by a desire to find purpose and fulfillment in their work. Business leaders must align this compelling mission with individual roles to help them feel fulfilled.
Modern Leadership Styles for Leading Millennials
When forming leadership teams for a millennial workforce, consider the following leadership styles:
1. Innovative Leadership: Millennials expect leaders to think and hire outside the box, promoting unconventional thinking. Innovative leaders focus on the big picture and understand that significant risks are necessary to achieve major successes.
2. Employee-Focused Leadership: Millennials value leaders who create an employee-centric company culture that ensures overall happiness and success. These leaders invest personally and professionally in their team members, often implementing mentorship programs and offering continuous education.
3. Empathetic Leadership: Millennials want leaders who show empathy. Empathetic leaders listen to and understand their employees, creating a workplace culture that boosts productivity and success.
4. Transformative Leadership: Millennials appreciate leaders who encourage and inspire them to focus on the company’s future success through innovation and change. This management style avoids micromanaging and empowers employees to play a significant role in the company’s success.
5. Commitment to Diversity: Millennials seek leaders who prioritize diversity and inclusion. These leaders understand that diverse hiring brings fresh perspectives and enhances the company’s culture and growth.
Traits of Millennial Leaders
Along with knowing how to lead them, it’s important to recognize the leadership qualities millennials bring to the table:
1. Willingness to Speak Out: Millennial leaders are more willing to challenge old methods and processes. They and their organizations embrace new communication tools like text messaging and social media.
2. Teamwork Approach: Millennial leaders prioritize teamwork and prefer a collaborative approach over authoritative management, seeking team opinions before making decisions.
3. Focus on Diversity, Purpose, and Fulfillment: Millennial leaders value diversity and are likely to hire diverse candidates. They believe in having a higher purpose and expect their employers to share their values.
4. Flexibility: Millennial leaders support remote work and believe employees can balance family and work effectively.
5. Strong Communication Skills: Millennials rank communication as a top skill. They actively solicit feedback and often have regular individual meetings with team members.
6. Work-Focused Attitude: Despite the stereotype, millennials are driven and often value work highly. They are not content to stay with employers for too long without opportunities for advancement and are open to career moves if necessary.
Understanding and adapting to these leadership styles and traits can help businesses better lead and retain their millennial employees.
