Dealing With Millennial Communication Gaps
Staffing is a major challenge in the 21st century, particularly due to the recent economic problems being faced the world over. While many companies are simply finding that there are so many applicants that selecting a good one is just the leg work of finding them, other HR people are running into a problem that has never been faced before: talking with Millennials, those who were born between roughly 1980 and 2000.
These individuals bring about a special set of needs, and sometimes the stereotypes associated with this generation are well-deserved. Hence, most companies employ recruitment firms, such as Accounting Principals finance staffing agency, in dealing with applicants who belong to this group. Fortunately, any problem can be overcome with enough tinkering.
Millennial Problems
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Traditionally, Millennials have been seen as short-sighted, demanding and high maintenance people who are barely worth what it costs to attract, keep and work with them. While this is naturally going to be true for some individuals without regard for their age bracket, there is evidence that these stereotypes have a ring of truth about them with this generation. However, stereotypes are not always accurate by any means. In fact, as Millennials get older and gain some workplace experience, their problems are beginning to homogenize with the more satisfying qualities of their elder co-workers.
Communication Is Particularly Challenging
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Communicating with Millennials is often a frustrating ordeal for people used to the more understanding qualities and refined social skills of more experienced generations. While you might not be old enough to remember this, Generation X also faced similar issues during their early years in the workforce. However, Millennials are especially challenged by the fact that they were born and raised with technology at every turn, making interpersonal communications a more challenging affair. Despite these challenges, however, employers have seen a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of more mature Millennials who are both willing and able to step into leadership positions.
Growing Communications
Often, helping your staff to discover their inborn communications skills boils down to removing the crutch of technology from their hands for a time. While technology is like a drug, its removal generally forces a person to develop coping strategies and work within a new set of limitations. A great way to remove technology is to force younger workers to physically visit their co-workers instead of merely texting, emailing or otherwise using virtual means of communication. Your own creativity will help dramatically in this regard, but fear not — Millennials are beginning to learn that there is life offline.
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