Unfairly Labeled

Chapter 6

Performance Management

Performance management refers to how a manager plans, reviews, and develops employees' performance. This chapter will identify generational assumptions, as demonstrated by the millennial stereotype, pertaining to performance management.

The Stereotype

Cassie is a stereotypical millennial. She needs significant hand-holding because her work ethic is not strong. She questions every assignment given her, incessantly asking the purpose of the assignment. She requires a lot of feedback on the work she produces (much more feedback than older employees require). She is also demanding about professional development opportunities. She expects the company to invest heavily in training to help her advance. In short, Cassie is a handful!

Advice on how to manage the performance of millennials is not in short supply. Managers often consider millennials one of the most high-maintenance generations in the workforce. This chapter will address ill-conceived advice regarding planning, reviewing, and developing millennial performance, as well as the stereotypes on which this advice is based. Finally, included is a review of performance management best practices regardless of generation. First we review the stereotypes:

Performance Planning

• Millennials have a poor work ethic so they are in need of clear direction and supervision.
• Millennials insist on efficiency, so they are constantly asking “why,” hoping to eliminate unnecessary processes.
• Millennials need ...