How to manage tech-savvy Millennials in the workplace

You’ve just completed your profile on LinkedIn when everyone starts asking about your Twitter plan. Your what?

You hire an expert to help you define your social media strategy.

In terms of executing it, this seems like a perfect piece to delegate to your team.

Who better to navigate this world than people who grew up in front of the internet?

In fact, the Millennials––those born in the 1980s or early 1990s––have largely driven the explosion in social media itself. Perfect.

You’re happy to have this Twitter business off your plate so you can focus on the big picture.

But the generation gap, you find, can pose problems in the workplace when you’re managing and trying to communicate with people who have had a very different life experience from you.

It’s important to understand the world in which Millennials were raised in order to effectively manage them.

“Millennials grew up with video games, doting parents and a trophy for every kid on the soccer team. They expect frequent feedback and worry that they’re failing if they don’t receive any,” says career expert Lindsey Pollak. “However, this is a great opportunity to help shape your employees and increase communication overall.”

Barbara Poole is founder and CEO of Employaid.com, an online community and resource for small-business owners, employers and employees.

She says, “Millennials value authenticity. They are confident, tech-savvy and highly mobile.”

They are also well-connected and always online.

They grew up digging around for answers to questions and take pride in their ability to do so quickly.

How best to manage this unique generation?

Get their opinions, and tread lightly when it comes to criticism.