By 2025, a full 75 percent of the U.S. workforce will be millennials, and they won't be the young workers we think of now. They'll be leading organizations and owning their own companies. If you'll be in the workforce in seven years, or contracting for their companies, here's what you need to know about these leaders.
According to Lindsey Pollock, author and self-proclaimed "Millennial Workplace Expert," the first order of business is to stop labeling them as millennials. Baby Boomers were perhaps the last cohort to take pride in being a cohort; when they raised their children, they instilled a sense of individualism that remains strong. Each millennial thinks of him/herself as an individual, and they don't believe that you can determine what they need or want as a group.
Pollack writes, "Millennial individuality started early. They didn't grow up with teddy bears lovingly selected by parents or grandparents. Instead, they created their own Build-A-Bears." They created playlists instead of buying CDs. They watch online aggregators of entertainment like Hulu or Netflix rather than take on a cable package. Because they grew up with the Internet, they have had almost every meaningful life experience customized for them.
This means that each worker in this generation expects and plans for an individual and customized career path, one that meets their personal goals and specific skills. They want to create their own titles and try on several roles to see which one fits them best. They thrive in environments where they're coached, and they work well with more experienced mentors.
(Florida Times-Union)