Millennials seem to have a pretty bad reputation with many employers if one is to believe leading articles in mainstream media. Disloyal attention-hounds, short attention span, narcissistic, want a lot and offer little, etc. This does not reflect my experience working with young managers at all and a Millennial Study by IBM suggests otherwise as well.

My millennial clients are hungry for opportunities to learn, stretch and become actively contributing, valued members of optimization initiatives. They have grown up with technology, communicate differently with their peers than older generations, and they have learned by observation that hardly anything lasts forever anymore. The younger generations’ demands on management may be disruptive for traditionally managed organizations but let’s face it, our way of working is being disrupted continuously by advancing technology, changing policies or new market place urgencies.

I have been asked by a student organization at GMU to talk to them about what it takes for Millennials to be successful in today’s business climate, and specifically what college graduates can do to prepare for their transition from student life to the professional world. In preparation to the presentation, I am collecting short responses of what qualities, skills and behaviors leaders and managers in successful companies are looking for in the next generation that is entering the work force and for any new hire for that matter.

Here is your chance to contribute to the discussion:

• What would be your advice for soon-to-graduate students?

• What would they need to bring to the table to be successful in your organization?

• Are you seeing a pattern in the younger generation of potential employees that is noteworthy?

• What behavior to you wish to see more of? Less of?

I am looking forward to hopefully seeing a lively discussion in response to this request and I will share my keynote talk with all contributors upon delivery.

See other comments  HERE