The Pros and Cons of Being a Millennial Worker

Millennials are the highest number of new entrants into the workplace. Most of them have been in the workplace for a decade or so, while a few are just showing up. Just like the generations before them, there are certain traits that point out who millennials are. Some myths are attributed to millennials. The negative ones are that they lack the drive and ambition. They are also believed to lack work ethic, they don’t respect authority, and they don’t want to grow up.

They’re Confident. To the contrary, millennials are confident and bullish about life, relationships and their prospects. They have grown up in the age of technological revolution and the widespread availability of opportunities thanks to the internet. They also have higher confidence in their abilities and skills. This trust can be harnessed and use to explore new frontier through innovation and creativity.

They’re Proud to Work. Nearly nine out of every ten millennials say they can tell that their work contributes to the overall growth of the company. This sense of usefulness and big picture thinking makes them feel proud of their work. Moreover 83% search for jobs that will take advantage of their strengths, skills and capabilities. That’s what makes millennials quite reliable and engaging at the workplace. They are keen to know that the work they do helps to make the company grow and most importantly make the world a better place.

They Invest in Strong Culture. Millennials are drawn to team-based social courses. They are also more likely to join social activism if they know their friends have joined or want to join. Their spirit of friendships, collaboration and teamwork, comes in handy in the workplace especially when there is a need for greater integration of efforts. This strength also makes them prime brand ambassadors for the company and they could generate greater visibility for the business.

They Have Low Literacy. On the downside, most millennials have grown up in the age of user-generated content. Therefore they are more expressive partners than thoughtful listeners. This makes them one of the most educated yet illiterate populations in history. They mainly lack knowledge regarding their nation’s history, global consciousness and a good grasp of current affairs.

They Absorb Tabloid Culture. Millennials are a talkative and social generation, who admit to discussing, relationships, sports, politics, other co-workers and celebrities with their closest colleagues. The downside to this gossipy nature is that it can create a vibrant grapevine that destroys reputations and fuels animosity. At best you have to provide healthy platforms of airing views to undercut this grapevine.