Millennials Millennials By: Dr. Nels Lindberg, Production Animal Consultation
By: Dr. Nels Lindberg, Production Animal Consultation The subject of “millennials” has been a topic of serious The subject “millennials” has GenXers been a topic of serious concern or of frustration for many and Boomers concern or frustration for many GenXers and over the last decade, me included! We say, andBoomers I’m just over the last decade, me included! We say, and I’m as guilty, that they don’t know how to work, they just onlyas guilty, that they don’t know how to work, they only care care about themselves, and they’re lazy! about themselves, and they’re lazy! Many of us have been frustrated beyond oblivion, and have been andfrustrated out of ideas of what to do. But Many of usconfused have been beyond oblivion, and there are many “thoroughbred” or “rock star” millennials have been confused and out of ideas of what to do. But out there doing“thoroughbred” great things or or capable doing great there are many “rock of star” millennials things! out there doing great things or capable of doing great things! We must understand there are ways to improve upon our abilities lead them.there Remember, as we We must to understand are ways to educate improve upon ourselves subject, must do so as are the our abilitiesontothis lead them.weRemember, as they we educate largest generation out of all generations, topping out the ourselves on this subject, we must do so as they are the boomers by 1 mil, from 75.6 million Boomers to 76.6 largest out They of all are generations, toppingour outnext the milliongeneration Millennials. our next leaders, Boomers by 1 million, from 75.6 million Boomers to 76.6 head cowboy, our next mill manager, our next feedmillion yard’s millennials. managers. They are our next leaders, our next head cowboy, our next mill manager, our next feed-yard’s managers. Keep in mind, the number one factor why millennials are who in they are the is based on one For are Keep mind, number one thing, factor technology. why millennials those of us older than the millennials, we weren’t raised 12
who they are is based on one thing, technology. For those with phones. If you were likewe me,weren’t an 80s and 90swith of uscell older than the millennials, raised kid, didn’t get cellphones until college or and after,90s andkid, cell we phones. If you were like me, an 80s they darn sure didn’t have internet. We didn’t have we didn’t get cellphones until college or after, andemail they until Buthave these sort of We technologies have helped darn college. sure didn’t internet. didn’t have email until form whoBut theythese are and they operate.have helped form college. sortshow of technologies who they are and how they operate. For us to be successful in employing millennials, to have excellent retention of them, and to help them achieve For ussuccess to be successful employing to have great at their job,inthere are keymillennials, areas we must excellent retention of them, and to help them achieve address. The number one key area is to form more than a great success atrelationship. their job, there keyto areas boss-employee Theyare want know we youmust and address. The understand younumber first. one key area is to form more than a boss-employee relationship. They want to know you and understand you first.them with strict rules, protocols, and Before you hammer SOPs, let them get to know their team leader. This doesn’t spend allthem day with means spend Before mean you hammer withthem, strictthis rules, protocols, 30 minutes with them getting to know them, their family, and SOPs, let them get to know their team leader. This their passions, and what theywith wantthem, out ofthis lifemeans currently doesn’t mean spend all day spend and their job.with They want to betomore than justtheir a number, 30 minutes them getting know them, family, they to be part a team be out a valuable of theirwant passions, and of what theyand want of life part currently the team. and their job. They want to be more than just a number, they want to be part of a team and be a valuable part of Millennials want us to be real, they want us to be the team. authentic. They want us to be ourselves, and not be perfect. As leaders of millennials, we must be willing to Millennials want us to be want real, they want usfailures. to be authentic. admit our mistakes, they to hear our They want us to be ourselves, and not be Anyone that can do those things will be moreperfect. real, moreAs leaders of millennials, we must be willing to our personal, and more successful at leading anyone,admit not just mistakes, they want to hear our failures. Anyone that 12
