The Nine “C”s Of Connecting with Millenials

In a recent training workshop for the California Youth Advocacy Network, a statewide organization dedicated to a tobacco-free California for youths and young adults, it became clear how the power of understanding can deliver great results.  By helping Network managers better recognize how Millennials/GenYers think, they are in an even better position to succeed.

So what are the nine “C”s for engaging Millennials in a key public health initiative – or any other task?

1.         Coach – Millennials/GenYers are accustomed to constant feedback, and they respond favorably to it.  They don’t see coaching as a hassle, but rather a must. Providing routine feedback in a way that makes sense inspires Millennials/GenYers to reach higher.  Often, all that is needed is a quick answer communicated via text or email.  Millennials move quickly and don’t always need a traditional coaching conversation. However, they do recognize that there are things they don’t know about business, and your input is valued.  Coaching can also be a terrific path to building an effective business relationship. That’s crucial to this generation, who believe mentoring is a responsibility of those who know more than they do. The stronger your working relationship, the more likely Millennials will be there to meet a challenge or deadline.

2.         Communicate – Millennials/GenYers expect to be informed. They want to know what’s occurring, how it affects them and how it all fits into the overall plan.  Wanting to know is an inherent trait of being digital natives and in ferreting out information since they were in grade school.  Proactively sharing information with Millennials – keeping them in the loop wherever possible – will engage them on many levels.  The more you bring Millennials into your confidence, the more engaged they will feel, and the more they will communicate back.

3.         Collaborate – When you ask Millennials/GenYers to innovate or solve problems, they become invested in initiative in ways that will amaze you. This generation knows how to collaborate very well, having been trained at an early age to work in teams. They are good at partnering to move projects forward.  In fact, they understand how to collaborate in ways that are foreign to older generations of workers.  But first, you must draw out Millennials and bring them together.

4.         Create – Imagine growing up with the power to design and create projects that go far beyond what you could do with a paper, pencil, and pen! Millennials have been using sophisticated software tools since they were young.  Walt Disney’s adage, “If you can dream it, you can do it” is a routine way they get a job done.  If you challenge and encourage Millennials to create – and allow them to explore – you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results.

5.         Credible – Being credible with Millennials/GenYers is essential. It inspires trust and confidence; the opposite is also true. If you don’t know the answer, say you don’t know. In the long run, it’s better than fudging it, which will undermine your credibility.  By modeling transparency in your own actions and deeds, you foster that behavior with Millennials.  This is particularly important in today’s business environment, where transparency translates into trust and integrity. In fact, your customers and employees can find out a lot about you in a few keystrokes because information is readily accessible. Be as honest as you can be about what’s occurring in your business.

6.         Commit – To secure a commitment from Millennials/GenYers, you need their buy-in. That’s been true of all generations. But what’s different about Millennials is that simply aren’t going to comply just because you say so. This is a very confident and rational generation that is unafraid to question if they see a better way or need clarification. That’s unlike Traditionalists and to some extent Baby Boomers.  Millennials have a strong support system of parents and families who provide a safety net. If a Millennial is unhappy, he or she knows they have options. They move on and find a better place to work.

7.         Connected – Millennials are the most connected generation in history.  They are the pioneers of social networking, and they are connected during almost every waking moment.  The average Millennial has more than 220 friends on Facebook and can instantly access this network to solve problems, answer questions, and obtain data.  Their ability to tap their extensive network of contacts instantly is one of the key differentiators – and advantages – of this generation.

8.         Consistent – Millennials pay very close attention to consistency in actions and words in the work environment. If a Millennial was counseled for wearing a suggestive outfit, but another executive wore the same outfit on occasion, that inconsistency will be noted. It is also likely to erode credibility and hurt working relationships. One could argue that it’s not just Millennials who spot inconsistencies. However, because they are blind to hierarchy and believe every colleague is basically a peer, they will call out hypocrisy. And, unlike previous generations, Millennials can (and do) broadcast their displeasure via social networks.

9.         Capable – The vast majority of Millennials believe they can because they have been told they can do anything since they were babies.  With all their heart and optimism, Baby Boomer parents have ingrained in Millennials, “you can be anything you want.” When someone believes they can, they will find a way.  This can-do attitude is the reason Millennials are likely to be one of the most productive generations we will ever see.