--- title: Managing a team of millennials? The top 5 things you must know description: The millennial generation is the biggest cohort that has ever existed. Here are the top 5 research-driven insights to help manage and retain millennials. image: https://blog.flock.com/hubfs/Managing%20a%20team%20of%20millennials.jpeg --- [![Flock](https://blog.flock.com/hubfs/FlockBlog_Logo/Flockblog-v2-inverted.svg) ](https://blog.flock.com/) [![Flock](https://blog.flock.com/hubfs/FlockBlog_Logo/Flockblog-v2.svg) ](https://blog.flock.com/) × × ##### Try Flock today! 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You are the hybrids of golden worlds and ages splendidly conceived. #### It’s no secret. Employees who feel *appreciated and welcome at work *are more likely to be engaged, creative members of teams. As a manager, you have to know what each demographic in your team cares about, so that you can deliver an employee experience that encourages collaboration and communication. [![Get More Done Take teamwork to the next level with Flock's Guide to Workplace Collaboration Software](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4323997/cf901c43-25d4-472e-9791-06b74d4b1f5d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4323997/cf901c43-25d4-472e-9791-06b74d4b1f5d) “Millennials have a drastically different outlook on what they expect from their employment experience,” writes researcher [Jay Gilbert](http://iveybusinessjournal.com/publication/the-millennials-a-new-generation-of-employees-a-new-set-of-engagement-policies/). Having grown up in a period of rapid change, [millennials have come of age during a time of significant technological advancement](https://blog.flock.com/top-technological-advances-of-the-2010s) and have a set of priorities and expectations sharply different from previous generations. The millennial generation is *the biggest cohort *that has ever existed. Many of the perceptions about millennials at work emerge from stereotypes, while others are myths. Understanding the difference is *really important*. Here are the **top 5 research-driven insights **that should help you [retain a highly engaged millennial workforce](https://blog.flock.com/what-millennials-can-teach-you-about-workplace-communication): #### **Millennials have unique qualities** They’re taking over the workplace in droves. The values of millennials differ from those of their parents and grandparents, members of the Generation *X* and Baby Boomers. They may have a reputation as being fun-loving thrill seekers, but their generational qualities can actually lend a great deal of positive attributes to many workplace teams. Millennials are known to be: - Passionate about their interests - Not afraid to take risks - Able to prioritize a positive work-life balance - Mission and values-oriented - Spontaneous - Global thinkers and cross-cultural communicators Millennials’ love for new experiences and cross-cultural relationships can enhance a company's mission to go global, while their love for disruptive ideas and challenges can result in disruptive product development. **They're motivated** Millennials aren't shy about their desire for growth—this generation is actively in search of challenging new career opportunities and chances to learn at work. [Forbes ](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefffromm/2015/11/06/millennials-in-the-workplace-they-dont-need-trophies-but-they-want-reinforcement/#2213461653f6)writes that millennials **prefer two-way relationships **with their managers, comparing the millennial's [ideal direct manager as more of a ‘coach’ than a boss](https://blog.flock.com/boost-employee-engagement). This means that millennials often aren't shy about sharing ideas on opportunities for improvement or asking for new challenges when they're feeling bored. **They prefer positive feedback** Millennials are *notoriously sensitive to feedback* and may perceive constructive criticism as an attack. Researcher [Joanne Sujanski](http://iveybusinessjournal.com/publication/the-millennials-a-new-generation-of-employees-a-new-set-of-engagement-policies/) believes any feedback regarding improvement that is given to millennials needs to be very carefully phrased to avoid potential misunderstandings. **Millennials may be growing up** As the oldest millennials approach their mid-thirties, certain workplace values appear to be not entirely different from older generations. A [recent study ](https://www.adp.com/tools-and-resources/adp-research-institute/research-and-trends/research-item-detail.aspx?id=E7851020-9881-442B-B3D5-99F0B2B14E68)indicates that older millennials are concerned about health care costs when making decisions about whether to stay with an employer. While certain millennial values, like [a strong focus on company culture](https://blog.flock.com/dissecting-aways-toxic-use-of-messaging-software), remain the same, this generation is becoming more focused on the quality of the work itself as they age. **They have no tolerance for bad tech** Though no one likes aging legacy software, millennials grew up with internet-based technologies and have a particularly low tolerance for confusing technical processes. [Wired](https://www.wired.com/insights/2013/08/the-rise-of-the-millennial-workforce/) writes that millennials loathe spending time searching for documents, searching for the right point-of-contact for a task, and trying to find their coworkers' contact info. Millennials prefer lighter-weight team communication apps, such as team messengers, to act as a workplace companion. **Conclusion: Manage millennials well** As managers look toward the future of the workplace, understanding millennial traits is important to [a highly engaged workplace](https://blog.flock.com/boost-employee-engagement). With an understanding of millennial values and tech preferences, it's possible to keep your younger employees happy. 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