Employee Coach for The New Generation of Millennials
Millennial Employee: “I’m sorry I’m late, Mr. Johnson. My alarm clock didn’t go off this morning.”
Employer: “Brad, this seems to be a common occurrence and it has to stop.”
Millennial Employee: “I’m sorry, Mr. Johnson. I’ll try not to have it happen again.
Employer:“Try. Try. I can’t afford to have you try. I just need you to be on time and do your job.”
Millennial Employee: “I’m sorry. I understand. It’s just that I was out late last night and I guess I just slept through my alarm. It won’t happen again.”
Employer: “One more thing, Brad. It has been reported to me that you are spending time during work on the internet for your personal use. That is unacceptable and it has to stop.”
Millennial Employee: “Why?”
Employer: “Why? You have to ask me why?”
Millennial Employee: “Well, yeah. I’m getting my work done aren’t I? And besides I’m just looking for a new car so I can drive to work. That is part of the reason I am late all the time.”
Employer: “Brad, that doesn’t really matter. I expect you to be here on time and while you are on my clock, my payroll, I want you to keep to company business and refrain from using your cell phone and the internet for your personal use. Do you understand me?”
Millennial Employee: “Wow. Are you saying that I can’t text my friends during work?”
Employer: “That’s right. You can do that during your lunch break. Is an hour enough time to get that done?”
Millennial Employee: “I have to wait until lunch to text my friends?”
Employer: “Yes, that is what I am telling you.”
Millennial Employee: “Well then, I quit.”
Employers: Does This Sound Familiar?
To an employer, does any of this sound familiar? The familiar seeming unfamiliar? What is it about this new generation of Millennials that suggests they have privileges that no one else enjoys. It almost appears to be a modern day Twilight Zone. What was once an acceptable standard in the work place is being challenged day after day by this new worker that feels they have entitlements that seem completely unreasonable. Fact or fiction? The answer: a little bit of both.
Employee coaching is on the rise and it is not surprising. More and more employers are seeking outside consultants to help recruit, train, and retain these independent Millennials that believe another job is awaiting them with open arms.
After all, no one can operate a computer like they can. After all, no one can run the business better than they can. At least, they think so. So why are they being treated so poorly? It is time for employers to recognize they are not speaking to the self-starters of the Generation X. Like it or not, this generation will respond more favorably if they are nurtured like a loving parent.
Employee Coaches are teaching both employers on how to communicate and interact with the Millennials and educating Millennials on the reality of the responsibility of holding down a J.O.B. Employers, frustrated with the learning curve, are contracting Employee Coaches to hold brownbag presentations and evening workshops for both themselves and their unruly employees.
In some cases, for larger companies, these Employee Coaches are working with upper management and supervisors with communication skills and ways to implement work environments that promote higher levels of performance. For those companies struggling hopelessly for a bridge between work and play, etiquette and enjoyment, restlessness and responsibility, many of them have turned to corporate retreats that include both the employees and their supervisors. The results have been proven to be successful by making a difference between sheer frustration and synergistic work environments where performance is defined in a whole new way.
Employers are recognizing that a new form of communicating is making all the difference in the world. Consider the outcome of the earlier scenario with the following.
Are you willing to make the change?
Millennial Employee: “I’m sorry I’m late, Mr. Johnson. My alarm clock didn’t go off this morning.”
Employer: “Bummer, Brad. Is there anything that I can do to help you?”
Millennial Employee: “Thanks, Mr. Johnson. I appreciate that but I just need to get my act together.”
Employer: “How so?”
Millennial Employee: “I think I was so tired that I slept through the alarm.”
Employer: “Can you think of a way that you could overcome this challenge?”
Millennial Employee: “Uhm? It’s just that I was out late last night and I guess I just slept through my alarm. Maybe I should set two alarms.”
Employer: “Sounds like a good idea. Would it help if you went to bed early the nights you have to go to work?”
Millennial Employee: (Chuckle) “That would be a simple solution, huh?”
Employer: “It’s worth a try. You do know it’s really hard on me and the other staff when you are late. If we need to explore other options, please let me know.”
Millennial Employee: “Wow. Thanks, Mr. Johnson. I really appreciate that. I won’t let you down.”
Employer: “One more thing, Brad. It has been reported to me that you are spending time during work on the internet for your personal use. You are not alone. It seems like a lot of our employees are spending time on their cell phones and the internet so we are having a brainstorming session after work tomorrow to discuss solutions. Can you make arrangements to stay after work tomorrow and bring some ideas?”
Millennial Employee: “I’d love to. In fact, I was thinking about that because I have been feeling sorta guilty. I was wondering if it would be possible to have more frequent breaks to text my friends and take a shorter lunch break.”
Employer: “That sounds like a reasonable option. Let’s discuss it tomorrow.”
Millennial Employee: “Awesome. You’re a cool boss, Mr. Johnson.”
Employer: “Thanks. Now get your butt in there and get to work.”
Millennial Employee: “Okay. Okay.”
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By Mark C. Hughes, Teen Life Coach for Parents & Teens @ The Karma Institute: http://www.beyourverybest.org
Tags: employee coaches, employer coaches, Employing Teens, mark hughes, Millennials, portland life coach, teen life coach