6 Reasons Why Millennials Are Better Than Their Stereotype

Shaming our youth is a tradition as old as dirt. In recent history Generation X was known as a group of “Slackers.” Before Gen X, the original “ME” generation was the “Hippies”, the Baby Boomers who are now so worried about these “lazy, entitled, narcissistic” Millennials.  

You can’t understand anyone accurately when you’re judging them… and that’s exactly what we do when we rely on stereotypes.  

Greg Johnson, Chairman and CEO, Damar Services said, “I find that it is dangerous to overgeneralize this demographic. We have encountered many who are thoughtful, resourceful, open-minded and even visionary community stewards … Our challenge is to personalize the impact and engage them in ways that engender ownership and investment.”¹ And for contact center operations hungry for a young and tech-savvy workforce, Millennials are now the largest generation in the U.S. labor market—with 56 million now working.²  

Rather than putting a whole group of individuals into a stereotype and judging them harshly, get to know them as individuals. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. Who knows? You may even find common ground!  

You would think that over thousands of years we might have learned to dispel stereotypes. Sadly, we haven’t. This is one “way that it’s always been done” that it’s time to let go of, and here are 6 great reasons why.  

#1. Data doesn’t tell the whole story

Millennials get a bad rap. And though plenty of people think that they lack a strong work ethic, feel deserving of special treatment and shy away from commitment of any kind, the reality is that they are not that different from the generations that came before them.³ While the data we read may be statistically accurate, much of it has nothing to do with social science. Even the content that does come from social science—like the reliable statistics we read about from the Gallup Organization—while accurate, doesn’t tell the context of the Millennial experience.  

Why? Because these surveys don’t consider the fact that Millennials are going through a new life stage called “emerging adulthood”. According to Haydn Shaw, generational and cultural differences expert, recognizing that full adulthood begins at age 27 or 28 is important because, “if it’s the Millennials, then it’s a problem that needs to be fixed…if it’s a life stage, it’s a change that we need to understand and adapt to. And understanding that makes working together easier.”  

#2. Millennials work to live, not live to work

Millennials place a higher premium on the success of their personal lives—even above their careers. According to Darlene Corbett, a therapist and success coach, “like many generations before Millennials, marriage and family are part of the big picture for the Millennial population.⁴  

But there is more to this story. They want to spend time with their families and fulfill career aspirations. If companies want to tap the loyalty and the career aspirations of this generation for leadership development, they should create a work environment that respects personal values, especially related to family.  

Find ways to demonstrate that you care about the success of their family life and empower them to build a great career without damaging their personal relationships.  

#3. Millennials desire personal growth

Work-life balance is important to Millennials; they want to work for companies who prioritize the things that matter most to them—such as health, family and leisure time.⁵  

Millennials are looking for job opportunities where they can learn and grow. They crave continuous feedback and coaching and that’s a good thing! Instead of viewing it as a chore, capitalize on the opportunity to mentor them.  

Gen Y is attracted to leaders who clearly articulate the WHY, the purpose behind how work gets done every day. They are looking for coaches who will champion them, encourage them, inspire and motivate them, and challenge them to greatness.  

Companies have more and more knowledge and skill leaving the workforce and a whole bunch of young fresh workers who want to grow. Why not pair them up and be intentional about having those with expertise invest in those who need and desperately want to grow? Sounds like a win-win.  

#4. Millennials live their ideals

According to Jean Case, Founder and CEO of The Case Foundation, Millennials invest in the things they care about. A 2017 Millennials Report indicates that Millennials are even more invested in philanthropy than in previous years, and put an emphasis on CSR in the workplace.⁶  

A common adage in leadership is to “walk the talk”. Well, Millennials are doing just that! They are setting a great example. Cheer them on, or better yet, follow suit.  

Recognize that their genuineness will build a whole new generation of leaders in the workforce that leads by example. That is sorely needed in this age where distrust of leadership can wreak havoc in organizations.  

#5. Millennials number 73 million 

Millennials are projected to overtake Boomers as America’s largest generation in 2019, with 73 million individuals. In fact, as of 2017, Millennials were already the largest population in the workforce—with 56 million working or looking for work. ⁷

#6. Millennials are the future (like it or not)

As Padraig Cotter points out “Millennials are redesigning the future of work. They’re digital natives and it’s no longer a case of employees adjusting to their work; it’s about  the work adjusting to them. New ways of thinking are crucial, and Millennials can provide this.”⁸  

Oftentimes, fear holds us back – fear of the unknown, fear of change or just blind fear. But there’s a whole generation of young people brimming with talent and yearning for a chance to make their mark on the world. Let’s not succumb to fear and judgment just because we don’t know or understand them.  

Millennials and contact centers are a perfect match. Get behind Millennials, invest in them, and support them as they take you to places you’ve never gone before! Read the proven ways to recruit and retain this valuable and qualified workforce in  Alorica’s Decoding Millennials eBook.  

Here at Alorica, we’re looking forward to the adventure. Are you?  

SOURCES

1.  http://achievemulti.wpengine.com/mi/files/2015/08/MIR_KeyTakeaways-2.pdf
2. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/04/11/millennials-largest-generation-us-labor-force/
3. https://bestlifeonline.com/facts-about-millennials-everyone-gets-wrong/
4. https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2018/do-csr-initiatives-influence-millennial-consumers/11646
5. https://www.irishtimes.com/special-reports/future-of-work/how-millennials-are-redesigning-the-future-of-work-1.3624299