Millennials are often branded as lazy, entitled and unfocused when it comes to work but one Business Relationship Coach is encouraging business leaders to give the younger generation a bit more credit when it comes to the workplace.

Michele Jones said instead of criticising and ignoring the views of millennials, business leaders really need to take a leaf out of their book.

“We’re always hearing about millennials being lazy and extremely selective when it comes to choosing jobs,” said Michele Jones.

“They’re refusing to take roles which are handed to them or follow in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents by working in a job they hate purely to make ends meet.”

“Careers and the workplace mean different things to millennials as opposed to those in their fifties or sixties”

“Everyone is so quick to assume that millennials have got it wrong, that their attitude to work and the workplace isn’t acceptable because it isn’t the norm.”

“Society is changing, the way we do business is changing and the way we balance our life and our career is changing.”

“More and more millennials are adapting their careers to fit around their lifestyles whether that’s by setting up their own business, being freelancers or looking for a career with flexibility.”

“Millennials are living their best life through their business and their career and everyone else could learn a thing or two from them.”

“Millennials don’t settle for any job, their career choices are based on very different factors to those factors that influenced their parents career paths.”

“When a millennial joins the workforce, their expectations are different also.”

According to the Deloitte Millennial Survey 2017, millennials feel accountable for many issues in both the workplace and the wider world.

It is primarily in and via the workplace that they feel most able to make an impact.

Michele Jones said millennials are dictating what office life should be like.

“When millennials enter a workplace, they feel invested and they want to make it the best environment it can be.”

“Instead of submitting to the “this is how it’s always been done” attitude, they are challenging the status quo and looking at how things can be done better and more efficiently.”

“What traditionalists see as risks, the millennials see as a no brainer approach to get the job done resulting in massive gains for a company, often thought not possible in the time frame.”

“Fast learners, an open mind about the future and embracing technology are all advantages of millennial workers.”

“They are also willing to learn from older colleagues as they value experience and use to their advantage what they see will make their job easier and quicker so they have more personal time to enjoy life.”

Michelle Jones has the following advice on how businesses can benefit from listening to millennials instead of criticising them:

Ask for their opinions: sometimes the old way isn’t the best or most effective way of doing things. Ask millennials how they would do a certain task. This will make them feel like they are really contributing and you’ll be surprised by the results

Give them freedom: Don’t micro-manage them. Simply tell them the end result and allow them the space to achieve it, you will be amazed at the creative abilities they have on offer to businesses

Team approach culture: They thrive on being in charge and are good at it. Makes them feel important and that what they believe and how they approach things is important and is making an impact on the business.

Environment: They need to believe the company is providing them with personal benefit and growth.

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