Those born between 1980 and the Early 2000s are considered “Millennials” and although generational analysis has a long and distinguished place in social science, as a millennial myself (born in 1981) I hate labels. Not to mention as a millennial I leverage data to make strategic decisions daily and never do I factor in only one variable, like the year someone was born.
When I hear things like millennials are lazy, impatient, like tattoos, job hoppers, too focused on self-expression, outspoken… I think… I know plenty of people born before 1980 that match this description!
On that same not when I hear things like millennials are tech savvy, socially aware, care about community, want to make a difference, loyal, optimistic about the future… I think… I know plenty of people born before 1980 that match this description!
So rather than focusing on creating another stereotype or label, let’s focus on what the future of work will look like and what philosophies and trends will create new experiences and transform old ones. This 5 part series is going to focus on trends being commonly linked to the millennial generation but our focus will be on how these changes and new philosophies transform the future of work not just for millennials rather for everyone open to change and willing to embrace a millennial mindset.
(Want to really be confused about millennials characteristics and labels search “Millennials” on Pinterest as I did)
Fueled by Change, Hyper-Connected and Driven to Make a Difference is Only Part of the Mindset!
For as much as we focus on the impact of digital technologies and innovation with the millennial generation, the most successful companies and leaders understand that trust, relationships and people are key to success. In SMACtalk a technology podcast that I co-host, we discuss everything from cloud computing, to internet of things, to social business yet the underlying theme of every episode is trust, data, community and collaboration.
The ability to embrace change has often been linked to many successful leaders in history, but in today’s rapid world of change and innovation, it’s required. Many of the digital tools and technologies we leverage today are about creating new behaviors to be more productive, allowing us to have new experiences and better predict change.
So as we dive deeper into the many characteristics and philosophies of a millennial mindset, I ask you to keep an open mind and ask yourself are you ready for a new way of work that embraces the following and more:
- Reverse Mentorship Programs
- Culture of Open Collaboration
- Flexible Workplace Not Forced to Work 9 to 5
- Person’s Sex, Ethnicity and Personal Preference Don’t Limit Career Opportunities
- Businesses Built Around Community & Employees Both Internal and External ones
- Your Company Wants You as Much as You Want the Job
- Employee Quality of Life is Factored into Business Strategy and Decisions
- Latest and Greatest Technology is Leveraged to Increase Speed of Innovation
- Community and Engagement Help Shape Business, Innovation & Company decisions!
- “Because We’ve Always Done it That Way” is No Longer Accepted
If you still aren’t sold, I welcome you to take the Pew Research Survey How Millennail Are You? and let me know in the comments what your score was. Also make sure to read all 5 parts of this Millennial Mindset Series or better yet Sign-up for the Millennial CEO newsletter to guarantee you won’t miss it.
Millennial Mindset Series
- What is Millennial Mindset? Part 1
- Change Fuels the Millennial Mindset, Part 2
- Hyper-Connected Marketing with a Millennial Mindset, Part 3
- The Digital Life with a Millennial Mindset, Part 4
- Future of Work Led With A Millennial Mindset, Part 5
