Learning From the Millennial Takeover of the Workplace
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Learning From the Millennial Takeover of the Workplace

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Cinthya Alaniz Salazar By Cinthya Alaniz Salazar | Journalist & Industry Analyst - Thu, 10/14/2021 - 18:21

You can watch the video of this panel here.

 

Millennials have been following through with the task assigned to every emerging generation: questioning and breaking away from old and outdated norms. In the transition back to the office, millennials are the ideal teachers to mentor companies adapt to the hybrid work model. Although this prospect may seem unnerving to some, it is optimal and strategic say experts in the field.

“Millennials have new perspectives and ideas that they are willing to try—even if they don’t work, which is still useful,” says Martha Lucia Riquer Vargas, Organizational Development & Diversity of Enel.

Before this happens, however, employers should open a reciprocal channel of communication with their workforce to help the latter feel listened and engaged with, says German Peralta, Co-founder & CEO JOKR in LATAM. Strategically listening to what employees have to say is essential to developing company goals and culture that aligns with what millennial’s value in the work place says Miguel Castuera, VP of People of Conekta. From there, the task would be incorporating these identified values into practical terms such as daily objectives and company culture.

Fundamentally, taking into account what millennials value is the best way to keep them engaged. However, this is not to say that millennials should dominate the conversation, nor that they have nothing to learn from other generations. In fact, the ideal work environment should aim to create collaborative spaces that encourage peer mentoring because everyone has something to learn said Riquer. The importance of creating and nurturing this environment should not be underestimated, as it provides employees with the opportunity to network with people outside of their team, upskill, collaborate and build a sense of comradery.

The question for companies is how to create this open environment as they transition to a hybrid work model, while accommodating for employees who will be working remotely full-time. Ultimately, the goal is to actualize office spaces so they draw people in and incentivize them to come in for synergic work, said Castuera. This realization has made the hybrid work model the ideal standard because it offers the benefits of presential work without having to ask employees to compromise on the flexibility offered by working at home. According to Peralta, work environments should aim to emulate university campuses were there is a sense of shared identity and purpose where people go learn and contribute to the exchange of ideas. The real obstacle will be reproducing this sensation for fully remote workers but, again, this circles back to communication with employees. If companies want to know, they should ask!

In addition, companies must be conscientious that the communication highway developed during this period needs to maintained. It is easy to revert to old habits. This should not be considered one-sided task however but employers should be cognizant that the power dynamic is not the same. Employees need to feel as if they are able to speak freely and address any perceived grievances, if any. 

Overall, just like any individual person, millennials in the workforce are more likely to be receptive to companies that they feel are listening to them. Employers should be receptive to what their employees have to say in order to identify general values and incorporate them to company culture so that they feel valued and engaged. In turn, this poses to increase retention and enhance performance and collaboration. Creating such an environment is the current matter at hand. Nurturing this environment will be possible through continued communication and promises to have high returns.

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