A Proven How-To Guide for Millennials at Work

Need an easy conversation starter? Ask any leader or member of management to share their thoughts about and experiences with Millennials in the workplace. Undoubtedly you’ll find yourself engaged in a timely and often-opinionated discussion. On the other hand, sit down with a Millennial employee and ask them to share their experiences since entering the workforce. How different are the points of view expressed by each side?

If it’s a topic you haven’t delved into yet, it’s only a matter of time until you’ll have the opportunity to do so. I’ve done multiple seminars on Managing the Millennials. I’ve discovered that much of the “chatter” is unproductive in nature. So we spend countless hours training managers to understand and harness generational diversity.

That’s why I want to make you aware of a new project I’m supporting on Kickstarter, a book published by Franklin Covey and privately distributed and funded by the very people who want to see this up-and-coming generation find success at work. But it’s not only for their benefit — it also provides insight for the men and women managing them; you and me!

The book is called Millennials@Work and reads in a way that’s as unique as the generation it’s written for. Set up like a conversational text book, it’s full of info graphics, tips, statistics, research, and the personal experiences of Millennials shared from around the world. It is written by my friend, colleague, and co-author of Managing The Millennials, Chip Espinoza.

Millennials@Work is the product of years of study regarding the challenges Millennials face when they start off on optimistic career paths. It also identifies the strengths and gifts that are so unique to this technologically- and socially-driven generation. And they want to make a difference!

Join me in getting the word out about Millennials@Work and see how you can get involved. I personally recommend this interesting and engaging book to any parent, manager, teacher, or coworker who has an interest in contributing to Millennials’ successes at work.

And if you are a Millennial, YOU. Need. This. Book.

As Millennials and managers, we have a rare opportunity to be part of something bigger than ourselves. So, in the spirit of social involvement (a key attribute of the Millennial generation, by the way), my goal is to share the principles in this book with as many Millennials as possible.

I encourage you to check out this link to the Kickstarter and see the unique ways to get involved.

And have some fun. If you’re a Millennial, take the Quiz. My colleagues have created a fun quiz for Millennials and post your results to Twitter and Facebook. I took it (You don’t have to be a Millennial to take it :)).

Both managers of Millennials and Millennials themselves, need to understand one another at the intrinsic value level in order to bridge the values gap. Managers need leadership competencies to lead this generation, and Millennials need essential skills to overcome roadblocks to achieving their greatness in the workplace. Let’s address the tensions and highlight the synergies so that we don’t just individually survive, but collectively thrive.

Generational diversity in the workplace is not a curse. It’s a blessing and the key to enrichment. Working together we can take advantage of the opportunities.

(Mick Ukleja is the co-author of the book Managing the Millennials: Discover the Core Competencies for Managing Today’s Workforce)