When 4 Generations of IT Collide - What Do Younger Generations Need?

What Do Younger Generations Need?

“The younger generations are not as easy to please, as they require organizations to make significant changes to their employee value proposition,” says TEKsystems' Webb. “Moreover, between what Generation X seeks and what the Millennials are looking for, there are some potentially conflicting differences.” For example, Generation X tends to be more self-motivated, compensation-driven and individualistic. They prefer to act autonomously, resist authority and appreciate an employer that says: "Do it your way” or “We are not very formal here.”

The Millennials, on the other hand, seek a high level of recognition, expect their leaders to teach them new information and strongly prefer a team-oriented environment. They are motivated by messages such as: "You'll be working with a team of bright, creative people" or "Our company values employees who will work together toward a common vision." Another key characteristic of Millennial workers is their desire for greater degrees of work/life balance and effective use of new or emerging technologies.

“Businesses and IT leaders will need to make adjustments to their resource management strategies to accommodate the varied demographics of their workforce,” says TEKsystems VP of Professional Development, Matt Hannigan. “You can’t expect to manage a new generation by old standards. Leaders will need to be vigilant in understanding what’s important to workers, what they expect, what inspires them and what stifles their passion.”

Hannigan further says, “Today, IT leaders must not only pay attention to technology trends, business drivers and budgets, they also must recognize and respond to social changes that will undoubtedly affect the dynamics of their workplace.” Clearly, times they are a changing. To stay competitive, IT leaders will need to invest the time, energy and resources required to change with them."