Working well with millennials: a strength-based approach
If you want to run a thriving department or company, putting up with people complaining about millennials or saying “Ok, Boomer,” won’t cut it. Every generation has different strengths – which are more similar than you might think – and can add value to an organization.
Yes, millennials approach things a bit differently and they are changing the workplace. But it might surprise you to know that 3 of the top 5 CliftonStrengths of the millennial generation are the same strengths as the two generations that came before them.
The top 5 CliftonStrengths of millennials are:
ACHIEVER
EMPATHY
LEARNER
ADAPTABILITY
RESPONSIBILITY
The CliftonStrengths that have changed from the prior two generations are Empathy and Adaptability, both of which are relationship-building strengths.
People with the CliftonStrength of Empathy are able to sense other people’s feelings and have a high emotional intelligence.
People with the CliftonStrength of Adaptability like to be fully present, living in the here and now. They love spontaneity and, in an ideal world, they want every day to be different, to bring a new adventure.
As you might imagine, millennials with these CliftonStrengths can be great employees in times of change. They like to go with the flow, can easily adapt to new situations while they help others process the changes, and make good leaders when there are cultural, technological, or procedural shifts in the workplace.
Of course, not every millennial has these same strengths; this is merely an overview. Just as strengths of Generation Xers and boomers vary by individual, so do those of millennials.
The key to working well with employees of any generation is the same: When you focus on what each person is naturally good at, you’re able to assign them to roles that fit those strengths and create attainable goals that provide both personal and professional satisfaction. The result is happier employees who are more engaged and deliver better results to your bottom line.
So how can you use a strength-based approach to work well with millennials?
Encourage every employee to take the CliftonStrengths assessment.
Do an activity or team building exercise to help co-workers understand their strengths as a group, as well as individually.
Create a visual so your team can consistently use information about one another’s strengths to solve work issues.
Help your employees analyze and internalize this information, so they understand how to use their own strengths, and tap the strengths of the team as a whole, to better meet your company’s goals
Millennial Guru can help you with each of these steps, respective to your business goals.
For example, we have a client who wanted to re-vamp their culture and boost employee productivity. To do so, Millennial Guru provided their entire organization with the CliftonStrengths assessment. We helped them understand everyone’s strengths and provided training on the best way to capitalize on those strengths. As a result, they re-assigned roles, in alignment with employees’ CliftonStrengths.
The outcome was fantastic! Their employees are more productive, more engaged, turnover is down, and profits are up. When you recognize what people do well, and allow them to do it, your company can reap huge benefits.
Give us a call today or set up a free consultation to find out more about how Millennial Guru can help you – and the rest of your staff – work well with millennials and get the most from employees of every generation.