Perspectives on Supervising Millennials Lanita Legan Erin Williamson Jennifer Zamora Texas State UniversityTexas Sate UniversityUniversity of Texas

The Plan Characteristics Generational definitions Formative Experiences What's your Millennial score? Managing Strategies

Generations in the workplace Traditionalists-born Baby Boomers-born Generation X-born Millennials (Generation Y)-born What happens when they collide?

Characteristics Civic-minded Sociable Optimistic Talented Well-educated Collaborative Open-minded Influential Achievement-oriented

Formative Experiences and Trends Focus on children and family Scheduled, structured lives Multiculturalism Terrorism Heroism Patriotism Parent Advocacy Globalism

Messages Be smart-you are special Leave no one behind Connect 24/7 Achieve now! Serve your community

Millennial's Expectations Work with positive people To be challenged To be treated respectfully To learn new knowledge and skills To work in friendly environments To have flexible schedules To be paid well

In Our Own Words

Millennial Management Provide structure Provide leadership and guidance Encourage their 'can-do' attitude Build on comfort level with teams Listen to them Recognize they are up for challenge and change

Managing Strategies You be the leader Challenge me Let me work with friends Let's have fun Respect me Be flexible

Recognize talent for multi-tasking Take advantage of technical literacy Capitalize on affinity for networking Provide a life-work balanced workplace Provide a fun, employee-centered workplace

Do's and Don'ts Do expect High expectations Do expect Possible involvement from parents Don't expect them to pay their dues Don't marginalize anyone Don't throw a wet blanket on their enthusiasm Do encourage them Do Mentor them Do Learn from them

Employer's Errors Not meeting high expectations Discounting ideas for lack of experience Allowing negativity Being threatened by their technical knowledge

Disclaimer Not everyone fits every description!

Karen Cates and Kimia Rhami, "Mastering People Management," Financial Times, November 19, 2001 "A 60-something graduate recently reflected: 'We wanted what they want. We just felt we couldn't ask.' Herein lies the truth: what young workers want isn't so different from what everyone else wants. However young workers are asking for it."

Discussion What supervising challenges have you experienced relating to multigenerational staff? What have you found that works? What training do you use? How have you changed supervision or training to be more effective?

Thank You! Lanita Legan Erin Williamson Jennifer Zamora