Millennial Bosses: The Boss or The Friend
Boomers and generation X workers are retiring now. The new bosses taking over the work space are the millennial generation.
Millennial bosses are already rewriting the corporate rules. They pick huddles over scheduled meetings, prioritize work-life balance, and also menstrual leaves for women. Millennials are workaholics but also buddies that employees can go to drink with. Flexible, fun, and easy-going. But this is just the good part of it all.
Millennial bosses feel sandwiched between the older generation and the Gen Z. They find it hard to decide between whether they are the boss or the friend. Millennials definitely hate confrontation and of course appraisals.
Expert Hacks for Employees
Dealing with a millennial boss is not every employeeβs cup of tea. But with some hacks shared by Gen X and Millennials, it is possible to save the day.
Treat Them Like the Boss
Millennials do not like an informal attitude in the workplace, at least initially. They have a clear chain of command with Boomers. Millennials do not work in cabins and would have a meal with their employees. This can blur the boundaries sometimes. Remember to treat them like their boss. Challenge their authority but with great respect.
Take Feedback Seriously
Millennials never hesitate to give negative feedback. They fear themselves to sound offensive. Pay close attention to the criticism and the praise they offer throughout the year to avoid nasty surprises. They always drop hints. Read between the lines to understand what effort works best in their favor, high-quality work or speed.
Work Independently
Millennials do not like to give instructions. They want employees to approach them with a problem but also the solution. Employees can ask important questions and how they would rate the work done. They appreciate the employees who can work independently.
Live Up to Their Reliability Expectations
Age of the employees does not matter when the job is done well. Millennial bosses value their employees’ well-being and expect them to be disciplined. The millennial boss expects reliability, even the most flexible one of them. They value employees who can reduce their stress through clear communication and also by meeting targets as well as deadlines.
Show Up with Your Strengths
Employees should invest more time in solving problems at work. They can help Millennial bosses manage their social media strategy, even if it’s using AI or apps to streamline the tasks. They should show up to solve problems more often.
Donβt Expect Promotions Based On Years of Experience
Boomers definitely gave out promotions to employees only after they put in years of work. Millennials promote and empower deserving employees faster compared to Boomers. True growth at work does not happen overnight. To expect a quick promotion, employees should show their value first.