Watch Generation Y Thrive in Collaborative Work Environments

by: Joanna Gammon | Client Relationship Manager
World get ready! The so called Generation Y, who hasn’t yet hit 30, is different than any who have come before! As a follow up to my first post, “How to Attract and Retain the New Twenty-Something Professional,” I would like to elaborate on the second recommendation which was “offering collaborative opportunities.”

Communication is key to any relationship, whether that be professional or personal. Without communication, there is no strength or bond to hold the relationship together. And in today’s world, with all the technology we have, it’s impossible to not have such a connection. Generation Y’ers own every gadget imaginable and can talk, walk, text, and listen all at once! IPods, BlackBerrys, laptops - they're almost like extra limbs!

Generation Y needs a team, not to mention cheerleaders, to do anything. We grew up playing on teams, so of course it is natural for us to seek these same collaborative opportunities within the workplace. When given team opportunities, leaders are formed and new CEO’s are found. Today’s 20-somethings crave recognition and working in a team is a great way to achieve it.

So how do employers create these collaborative opportunities? I suggest holding weekly team meetings where everyone can connect on a regular basis. Have a complex project to tackle? Try assigning it to a group and you’ll be amazed at the increased productivity; not to mention the innovative ideas that will arise from the group. In the end, answers will be found, leaders will be grown, and most importantly, the twenty somethings will thrive!