There s/he sits in front of you or more likely in a text message, that “follow your dreams,” optimistic, confident, tolerant, ethnically diverse, born somewhere between 1976 and 2004, and from the most marketed to and most nearly technologically addicted, socially-networked generation in history. Now it’s up to you to coach him/her. But how?
You see, according to research recently reported by Success Factors http://www.successfactors.com/en_us/lp/oxford-economics-workforce-hub-pr... in conjunction with Oxford Economics, this generation of Millennials want monthly coaching, and want that type of feedback 50% more often than other employees. What’s more, less than 50% say that their workplace managers provide that level of valued feedback and coaching. Already sniff the opportunity for the savvy coach?
Millennials care more for workplace satisfaction and work-life balance than solely financial compensation. That helps explain why coaching and feedback may be so valued by this generation. They wisely don’t put up well with disagreeable work environs—and they’ll make certain their world knows about it through their life-long savvy use of social media. Given the right coaching, support and feedback they request they may also be the best public relations a company can imagine. They listen to each other continually and with a more open mind than they do to traditional PR and marketing waffling.
Here’s what I’ve gleaned from years of foreseeing, paving the way and helping Millennials discover and achieve their goals and overcome their limiting paradigms, learn new skills and tools to build a satisfying future and help them identify their challenges and partner with them to turn those challenges to victories.
1. Millennials are social and want to be encircled from the beginning of their work life with co-workers of who impart excellence, who are tolerant, positive thinkers and who are endowed with the capability to excel. Forget the old “sink or swim” mentality. This is the age of “let’s succeed together,” and “I can learn from you.” Just remember to begin with, “How would you like me to be most helpful with you?”
2. Selling more widgets without a mission-driven noble purpose does not work for Millennials. Coaching this group without these three intentions in your toolkit won’t be successful:
HOPE= Have Only Positive Expectations
CHOICE= Choosing How Our Intentions Create Experience
RADIANT= Reflecting A Deeply Illuminating And Noble Thought
3. Since Millennials want frequent dependable feedback, be willing to share your narrative in an inspiring, consistent, open and upright manner, including how you turned your personal stumbling blocks into victorious stepping-stones. Like any good coach, you aren’t there to tell your Millennial client what to do but rather to help her/him release his/her own promise and capabilities.
It’s a privilege, a treat and an honor to coach younger individuals to success and help them develop into impactful, contributing, self-sacrificing people of accomplishment. Millennials, perhaps more than any generation in memorable history, are searching for and welcome this coaching in their journey to meaningful achievement.
Michael R. Mantell earned his Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania and his M.S. at Hahnemann Medical College, where he wrote his thesis on the psychological aspects of obesity. His career includes serving as the Chief Psychologist for Children’s Hospital in San Diego, and as the founding Chief Psychologist for the San Diego Police Department. He served on the faculty of UCSD’s School of Medicine, Dept. of Psychiatry. After 40 years of diagnosing and treating mental illness, he has retired from clinical practice---and as he describes, is now “reFired” and “reWired.”
He provides advanced behavior science coaching for sustainable strategic outcomes in mindful, values driven and positively adaptive ways to business leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, individuals, families and organizations to reach breakthrough levels of success and significance in their professional and personal lives.
Michael is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the International Council on Active Aging, the Chief Consultant for Behavior Science for the Premier Fitness Camp at Omni La Costa, and served as the Senior Consultant for Behavioral Sciences for the American Council on Exercise. He travels the world speaking with fitness and health professionals to provide the most current thinking and tools for behavior change. He has been a member of SAG/AFTRA since 1981, having appeared regularly on Good Morning America, as well as numerous talk shows and weekly appearances on TV and radio news.
Michael is an Organizational Advisor to Fitwall, Rock My Run, amSTATZ, speaks for Rancho La Puerta and the Asia Fitness Conference and Expo, in addition to numerous other fitness-health organizations throughout the nation. He is interviewed frequently for fitness and health magazines including Details Magazine, Men’s Health USA and UK, Women’s Health US and UK, Weight Watchers, Shape, Natural Health, Real Simple, Women’s World, MetRx, Better Homes and Gardens and a host of others in the health/wellness/fitness world. He has written for, and spoken for the International Council on Active Aging, the Medical Fitness Association, Athletic Business, IHRSA, and a host of other professional organizations in the health and fitness fields. He has been a keynote speaker for the University of California FitCon and UCLA “Stress Less Week.”
He is a best-selling author of three books including the 25th Anniversary updated edition of his 1988 original “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, P.S. It’s All Small Stuff,” and his 1996, “Ticking Bombs: Defusing Violence in the Workplace.” Heis listed in greatist.com’s 2013 “The 100 Most Influential People in Health and Fitness.” His fourth book is due out soon.