Click here for a full transcript of the episode.

In episode 78 of “The JoyPowered® Workspace Podcast,” JoDee and Susan discuss the growing number of millennials that are moving into managerial positions. The generation is already the largest in the workplace, and 75% of the workplace will be made up of millennials by 2030, but they struggle to find jobs that engage them. This low engagement isn’t necessarily unique to millennials, but as the workforce becomes more and more millennial heavy, it’s important that we learn the best ways to engage millennial workers going forward.

As managers, millennials are inclined to develop environments that create opportunities to learn and grow, give frequent feedback, and change processes and policies that are no longer optimal. Though they are very task and project focused, millennial tend to struggle with micromanagement. To help JoDee and Susan better understand the millennial mindset, guest Lindsay Boccardo joins The JoyPowered® Workspace. Lindsay is a professional speaker who travels the country to work with organizations who are ready to maximize the talent of multiple generations, providing education, training, and laughter along the way.

It’s important to remember, Lindsay says, that while culture has evolved over the years, human nature has not changed, and neither has developmental psychology. An 18 year old 200 years ago still struggles with higher reasoning, just like an 18 year old does today. We’re all human, we’re just at different points of our development, and keeping that in mind is going to be key to relating to millennials for older generations.

One of the largest gaps in understanding between millennials and previous generations is the massive leap in technology that millennials lived through in their childhoods. While they understand the “real world” that Baby Boomers and Generation X always harps about, they also were the first generation to grow up with the virtual world at their fingertips, making them the first “bilingual” generation. This is a vital thing for millennials, but so much time spent on screens, says Lindsay, is often detrimental to soft skills like public speaking, clear communication, and conflict resolution.

In today’s listener question, JoDee and Susan give advice about how to create stronger bonds between remote teams. In the news, companies are hiring more and more people with disabilities, employment gaps, college students, retirees, and veterans. The reason? The minuscule unemployment rate. This is leading to flexible hours, work from home options, and waived background checks. When the unemployment rate is so low, prospective employees have more and more negotiating power!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Purple Ink
• Susan Tinder White Consulting
• JoyPowered^®: Intentionally Creating an Inspired Workspace by JoDee Curtis
• The JoyPowered^® Family by JoDee Curtis and Denise McGonigal
• The JoyPowered^® Team by Erin Brothers, JoDee Curtis, Peggy Hogan, Denise McGonigal, Laura North, Susan Tinder White, and Liz Zirkelbach
• “Defining generations: Where Millennials end and Generation Z begins”
• “Millennials are the largest generation in the U.S. labor force”
• Lost Connections: Why You’re Depressed and How to Find Hope” by Johann Hari
• “Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong”
• Lindsay’s website

Let us know what you think! Rate and review our podcast on Apple Podcasts – we love hearing your feedback, and it helps people find our show.