By Marjorie Clifton
Never before has the generation gap been more obvious in the workplace. Part of the chasm has to do with a workforce of Baby Boomers who choose to retire later, creating a
greater age range in the office. The other major change has resulted from the technology-driven culture of today's "Millennials." They have abruptly created a new set of
expectations and behavioral standards in the office environment, which are sometimes not well-received by clients and co-workers. But, is this apparent culture clash a result of
an aversion to change, or are the Millennials lacking the mentoring we once had as young professionals?
Either way, it's not a question of which way is better or worse. It is a question of how we create an environment that works. Our current businesses face a simple challenge:
Change or die. Successful organizations will redefine their office culture in a way that crosses the generational barriers.
In order to address the broader issues, let's first address some of the benefits and challenges of today's Millennials in a work setting.
1. Millennials can multitask and turn assignments around quickly. I recently dropped into the office of our summer intern to witness a dizzying feat of multitasking. She sat
at her computer with four windows open. She was simultaneously composing an e-mail, participating in a blog, watching a newscast and monitoring her Facebook profile. Completely
unruffled, she appeared to address each "project" and even managed to acknowledge my presence in the doorway. My challenge as her supervisor was keeping her busy enough to fill
an eight-hour work day.
Critical question: Does this environment breed focused and quality work?
2. Unmatched ability to network. The plethora of social networking tools online has created an unparalleled volume of opportunities. This Millennial generation has grown up
using e-mail, IM and Web sites to reach out to friends and communities on a daily basis. Today, those opportunities are only expanded to a global scale. The Millennials are also
comfortable with the idea of being virtually introduced to others and developing relationships over the web. In our global and sales-driven business world, this can be an
extremely useful skill.
Critical Question: How do we create an appropriate divide between personal and professional presence online?
3. Value efficiency. "If a day's actual work product is completed in six hours, why spend three extra hours watching the desk clock for face time?"
This was a question recently posed by a Millennial sitting across my desk during her interview. Her question revealed a mentality focused on convenience and output. Creating
sound policies that address these issues is a challenge management must consider in the modern workplace.
Frankly, there have been plenty of company policies that exist for no reason other than "it's the way it's always been done." In this new generation of sustainability and
efficiency, it may not hurt to rethink our personal economies. For example, is it worth wasting two hours in rush hour traffic when we can work virtually and leave later cutting
back on travel time?
Critical Question: Does technology threaten the quality of personal interaction and the opportunity to learn by being physically present in the office?
4. Being current on the issues and trends. The idea of receiving news articles over a cell phone seems unfathomable to many, but the Millennials are a generation that cares
about what's happening in the world, and they want to be kept updated by the minute.
Despite the assumptions of many, Millennials are readers. They may not read the traditional novels and newspapers, but they do keep up-to-speed on the latest fads and trends
in areas ranging from cooking to politics. They are very keen on the latest in the marketplace, and their technological agility allows them to be the first to know.
Critical Question: Is there depth or real understanding within this pace of information flow?
5. Demand for work/life balance. Workouts during the work day, stocked kitchens and additional paid vacation are not uncommon requests from the modern workforce. It is the
reason a former employer of mine offered lunchtime yoga and foosball tables in the break room. The Millennials value their time away from work and the quality of their experience
while in the office. In a competitive recruiting environment, it means companies have to accommodate. It could also be a valuable lesson to those of us who have historically
neglected quality of life to accommodate unhealthy work routines.
Critical Question: How do you maintain a professional and cohesive team in the midst of untraditional work schedules and break activities?
6. Value humor, counter-culture and visual stimulation. The lineup of award-winning television shows exemplify the shift in generational values: "The Daily Show," "Family
Guy" and "The Office" (to name a few). They break the mold by offering a comically sarcastic approach to common themes, while using traditional media in a nonconformist format.
These shows are politically relevant, controversial and provocative, much like the modern world of media.
The attention of the Millennial audience is held by high definition and the unconventional. Who would have thought cartoons and documentaries would become mainstream? What it
offers your PR practice: new and different. It's also a heck of a lot of fun.
Critical Question: How do we maintain these youthful values while still garnering the respect and trust of our clients and co-workers? PRN
Editors Note: This article is part of a two-part examination of generational communication issues in the workplace. The second article will explore some of the challenges that
arise when a cross-section of generations merge in one office.
CONTACT:
Marjorie Clifton is director of consulting services at Commcore Consulting Group. She can be reached at [email protected].