Recently I was asked to facilitate a brief conversation about what Millennials expect from a Leadership Coach. First we established basics: what are Millennials and why do we care so much?
When I say “Millennial” what comes to mind?
Participants in the conversation used terms like “helicopter parents” and “comfortable with change” and “they’re not locked into any particular path.”
What comes to mind for you?
Why do we care?
There are 80 million Millennials today (born 1979-99), of which approximately 45 million are employed. That’s 45 million voices, opinions and needs already creating a force for change in the workplace. (Forbes)
By the year 2025 Millennials will be approximately 75% of the U.S. workforce, and worldwide this generation will account for 50% of those employed. But wait, there’s more: the numbers are even greater in sectors like Professional Services (Consulting, Accounting, Law). For example: their own published study reveals that right now two out of three of the staff at PwC are in their 20s and early 30s, and that by 2016—two years from now–almost 80% of PwC’s workforce will be comprised of Millennials. (PwC NexGen Study 2012)
We CARE because this is a huge population of people who are commonly acknowledged as well-educated, entrepreneurial, tech savvy and idealistic. They take risks; they are bold and eager to make the world a better place. They are collaborative (vs. competitive, as their predecessors have traditionally been). They’ve let go of the elusive work-life balance, and instead they’re working toward optimal work-life integration.
These are the facts impacting our workforce, our Firms and organizations, our friends and family and the way we do business – globally. And so, of course we care. We want to understand them more deeply; they are a glimpse into what is possible.
***
Coaching and Leading Across Generations is a series of experiential workshops created with colleague Linda DeLuca. Interested in bringing this experience to your leaders? Contact us
