In only 12 years, 75% of American employees will be Millennials. By then, even the last of the Baby Boomers will be 66 and on social security (though a few of us might still be working). Generation X is a smaller cohort and some of its 54-65 year olds will already be retired. The oldest Generation Zers will only be 34 at that time. Yes, in 2030, the Millennials, aged 35 to 53, will be the backbone of the economy and country.
What an exciting time to be alive! Can you imagine all the changes that may occur in the next 12 years? Just consider that just 14 years ago Blockbuster Video had 9,000 stores and is now down to one last store in Oregon. 2004 was also the year Facebook was launched.
Yes, new reality can be exciting and challenging. The Millennials bring with them their own expectations of life, work and values. Those organizations and communities that embrace generational diversity will undoubtedly thrive in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous future.
Jennifer Brown, author of “Reversing the Generation Equation: Mentoring in the New Age of Work,” indicates that Millennials “possess the most diverse attitudes, tendencies and requirements of any preceding generation and they are bringing that to work and life and demanding to be welcomed, valued, respected and heard.” They’ve grown up with being in the center of the activity and expect to stay there.
The Pew Research Center’s “Millennials in Adulthood” takes a look at just how unique this generation is and how the social, political and economic realities in their formative years have shaped them. Due to a disconnect between Millennials and many organizations not willing to meet them half-way, it’s no surprise that Millennials have experienced greater job dissatisfaction than Generation X and Baby Boomers.
A study conducted by Deloitte showed that 56% of Millennials have “ruled out working for a particular organization because of its values or standard of conduct.” 49% have declined a task assigned to them that was thought to go against personal values or rules of ethics. According to the study, Millennials are seeking a good work/life balance (more than monetary compensation), their own homes, a partner, flexible working conditions and financial security. Furthermore, this group does not necessarily defer to seniority as seen in previous generations. For them, respect must be earned. Which brings us to the concept of “Reverse Mentoring.”
Jack Welch of GE was one of the early pioneers of reverse mentoring. Twenty years ago, as technological changes were sweeping our country, Mr. Welch encouraged 500 top-level executives at GE to reach out to people younger than them to learn about the internet. Since then, reverse mentoring has gone beyond technological learning and expanded into ideas, advice and insights. Organizations such as PWC and AARP are among those who have launched programs.
At PWC, the young mentors are in their early 20s and have been working long enough to understand how it works and short enough to still have a fresh perspective. The AARP Foundation created a Mentor Up program in 2013 where teens and young adults come together with older generations to keep them current and connected with the younger world. The young mentor the older mentees on technology and health and fitness. They also exchange Valentine’s Day cards. In short, intergenerational connections were made, skills exchanged, understanding obtained and mutual respect and admiration were achieved.
At DWM, we have two excellent young team members; Grant Maddox in Charleston and Jake Rickord in Palatine. We are just starting a reverse mentoring program at DWM where Grant and Jake will be the mentors and Brett, Jenny, Ginny and I will be the mentees. Once a month, we set aside lunch time for the mentor to share a topic, theme or idea they are interested in sharing and to explain two-way learning opportunities. We invest time to learn, get to know one another better and increase our trust and respect for each other. We are also starting to dismantle the old paradigm that “seniority always knows best.”
Our goal is generational diversity and respect for all. Yes, the Millennials are coming. And, yes, they come with the most diverse attitudes, tendencies and requirements of any preceding generation. As they say in World Cup Champion France, “Vive la Difference.”