Managing the Millennials

CHAPTER 12

AMBIGUITY IS THEIR KRYPTONITE

Directing the Unfocused

They can be challenging. They definitely need to be guided and kept focused. My job is to keep them focused and keep them on task.

—A Dentist

 

There are things that I don’t feel like I should have to repeat. But I learned that if I want them to get it, I have to tell them over and over.

—A Police Lieutenant

 

We want clear direction, and then get out of our way.

—A Millennial

Millennials are Super-like. Not unlike the man who wears the big red S on his chest, they too have their kryptonite—it is called ambiguity. They hate ambiguity more than being micromanaged. With insufficient direction, they often exhibit a lack of focus, indecisiveness, and insecurity.

THE MILLENNIAL INTRINSIC VALUE

Millennials are aware that management perceives them as unfocused. They blame the perception on their ability to multitask. They truly believe they can do more than older workers because of their grasp of technology and the speed with which they can access information. Not only do they value doing many different things at once, they value doing many different things. They consider themselves to be focused, but not always on what management wants. They feel uncomfortable with managements’ orientation, which they consider to be: “Let’s just get things done.” Millennials believe that their attention is on personal development and ...