Millennials: Time to Coach the Boss
Millennials (at least in sheer numbers) are the largest generation making up the working class in both the US and Canadian workforce this year. That’s a fact.
They’re young, they’re smart, they don’t like hierarchy and they’re almost 54 million strong. A Pew Research report published in May 2015 in the US, and Mary Meeker’s most recent Canadian Internet Trends Report both show how the generations have been trending over the last 15 years—and it’s been a rapid rise to the top despite the fact that only half of millennials are working-age adults.
The Millennial Stereotype
There have been mixed reactions to this generation, to say the least, as millennials contribute shifting priorities—and a change in work style at the office.
The millennial stereotype describes this younger generation as high maintenance and non-committal. Senior management often complains about their “sense of entitlement and job-hopping.” But when you dig deep, this younger generation brings something more to the table—they bring fresh energy and a wealth of talent. ROI is not enough for them; they care about making a difference. They’re stirring the global conversation… and they’re shaking up the traditional workplace while doing it.
Adopt or Perish
Canada’s workforce is shrinking overall, and the struggle to hire and retain good employees is getting harder. For businesses to survive, they’re going to have to adapt and embrace this fresh generation, or perish. That’s true for American companies, as well.
Business has changed. Storefronts have been replaced with landing pages; social media propagates sales; entrepreneurship rules the corporate picture and there has been a major uptick in gifs. To manage the generational diversity in the workplace, experienced professionals (and those who refuse to abandon ship) are turning to their younger colleagues for guidance in maneuvering through the new technological ways of the world.
Industry experts say the younger generation brings a new perspective and a wealth of tech-savvy knowledge—which in itself is a valuable source of information—and both are considered invaluable to the company, but often missing from the top.
So, Reverse Mentoring, You Say?
Companies are taking a cue from former General Electric (GE) CEO, Jack Welch, who once ordered his head-honchos to pair up with young Internet junkies in a ‘reverse mentoring‘ scenario to gain insight into the changing customer and IT space.
Senior executives openly accept this novel process and love the benefits it brings to the company. When you think about how a single viral message has the power to catapult a business to the heights of success, it’s no wonder the boss will look to the younger professional. They are the ones who have the instant link with technology these days.
A Game-changing Solution
Reverse mentoring roles give millennials the opportunity to spread their technical prowess. Simultaneously, senior professionals can bestow their experience and work ethics upon the next generation. All this spells win-win for everyone involved.
Reverse mentoring can be empowering. It can close the knowledge gap, bring employees together and bring upon purposeful collaboration—and it doesn’t require new processes. Besides, it’s time to stay ahead of your competition, and these young professionals have the edge on how to do it!
