Generation Ys were born into technology and grew up with it as part of life. Most Gen Ys have more than one TV and two computers per household. Their preferred communication method is instant messaging, and their preferred way of learning is through video games or computer games. This is quite different than the “lecture” style of learning that Zoomers and Gen Xers became accustomed to.
Gen Ys are not loyal to a company; instead, they are loyal to their friends. If they feel their bosses or co-workers are like friends they will stick around. If they dislike their boss they will quit with little concern.
On average Gen Y does not leave home until they are thirty-five years old! You might be thinking, not me—ours are away at college. Well, guess what? They are coming back! If a Gen Y is still living at home and a Zoomer or Gen X boss tells them to do something or they are fired, Gen Y has no survival issues. Why? Because they still have a roof over their head.
So how do you lead Gen Y?
1.Be up front with them. You know they want to learn as much and get as much from the company as they can before moving on.
2.Increase technology and knowledge of technology in the workplace. Gen Y expects to have the best technological tools available to them.
3.Give them what is important to them to get them to stay (such as paying for their education and providing social, fun activities) and support them as people.
4.Set them up with a guide who can support them to succeed. If Gen Ys feel they are failing, they will give up quickly and become apathetic.
5.Show them how their work affects overall company goals. How does what they do as people affect what the company does in the marketplace?
6.Involve them in a company charity event or environmental cause. Generation Y is the most humanitarian generation.
7.Allow them to have a life. Give flex days off, and be flexible with start and finish times.
8.Treat them as friends. Gen Ys will not automatically respect authority or leadership, because they feel respect is personally earned (not given based on a title).
We need to look at what we can shift or change the rules that have been in place for the working lifetime of a Zoomer. With Gen Y in the mix, things aren’t just changing, they are transforming.