For several months, our team at DMA was a “house divided.” No, not because we have under one roof alumni from many esteemed and sometimes rival universities. And certainly not because of a lack of team unity, synergy or collaboration. Our divide was actually a decade. About half our team members were 40-somethings (Gen Xers through and through), and the other half were Millennials in their 20s. This team dynamic required each group to understand the other, to find the common ground that would ensure our agency continues to advance our mission of increasing demand of fresh fruits and vegetables.
I’ve seen the blog posts and articles across the internet that list all the traits and behaviors that Millennials supposedly bring to the workplace. Most of those stories focus heavily on the generational differences and the challenges those differences may create. They provide advice for how to “deal” with this next generation of professionals. I now find myself scrolling past those posts and articles, because as a Gen Xer who gets to work with a group of talented Millennials, I’ve found that valuable experiences and growth opportunities for all involved far outweigh the challenges.
Here are just a few of the dozens of reasons that I truly love working with Millennials.
- They provide a new perspective.
It makes sense that someone born the same year that I graduated high school would view the world a bit differently than I do. These contrasting perspectives are terrific mind-openers, as they allow a birds-eye view and the opportunity to re-think, experiment, fine tune and improve. “I’ve never thought of it that way,” is the successful result of introducing original outlooks to your team, your processes and your work – and millennial minds deliver these in spades.
- They help us grow as managers/teachers/co-workers.
As managers, we are responsible for educating new team members – about the fresh produce industry, client relations, marketing strategies, and, in some cases, professional decorum. I believe that these interactions are just as valuable for me, as I’m reminded every day of the importance of the basics, the “little things” that make a big difference. Also, Millennials readily accept feedback and direction, and are eager to learn and grow. This enthusiasm is incredibly inspiring (and contagious) and makes celebrating wins with them a whole lot of fun.
- They are social and tech savvy.
You’ve probably seen that commercial where the grandparents are so excited for their grandkids to visit…. So that the kids can fix and/or set up all of their computers, phones, etc. Sometimes I feel like that couple when staring at the dashboard of a new platform or navigating the Snapchat interface (or, let’s be honest, pulling gray hairs). I’m fortunate to work among a group of millennials who are tech support and social translators rolled into one. When faced with onboarding that new platform, this group is not daunted. In fact, they’re frequently among the earliest adopters and have a knack for digital navigation which shortens the learning curve and saves precious time. Who doesn’t want that??
- They act as a built-in focus group.
As fresh produce marketers, we’re constantly identifying, understanding and communicating with target audiences. It’s a well-known fact that the millennial generation is a much desired demographic due to its influence and buying power. Millennial teammates offer extremely valuable insights into the interests, opinions and behaviors of this giant generation – the understanding of which is vital if you’re aiming for this audience.
I could go on and on about the benefits of a well-rounded team, and specifically one that features an all-star lineup of millennials; and I’m sure my list will continue to grow. I’d be remiss if I didn’t wrap up this post with a special shout out to my fellow DMAers, Mackenzie, Beth, Kelsey, Lacey, Allison, Kendra, Michael, Sharon, Sarah and Laura. Thanks for all the laughs and for making me better each and every day!
