Beyond labels and towards a deep understanding of the Millennial generation.
Millennials are considered to be those born between 1980 and 1995. It is unclear whether categorizing a person and defining their profile based on their birth within a specific time frame is appropriate, as each individual has the ability to write their own story due to the freedom they possess, and the context varies for everyone, even within the same time span. To better grasp this concept, one can observe two trees planted 35 years ago in a global climatic context that is quite similar, identifying common elements. However, one of the trees grew in the arid Peruvian coast, while the other thrived along the Caribbean coast in Costa Rica.
While the unique developmental context influences an individual’s personality and life perspective, and particularly that of the so-called millennials, general characteristics or qualities can still be identified among a group born at a specific time with similar contextual backgrounds, influencing their current leadership. Two qualities will be emphasized:
The first is their social awareness, likely attributed to the generation experiencing the advent of technology. As stated by Jason Dorsey, a millennial expert and president of the Center for Generational Kinetics, “If you grew up in the pre-digital world, privacy and face-to-face communication will be more important to you than for those born in the digital age.” Pre-digital millennials place a higher value on interpersonal connections due to their upbringing. Consequently, their social awareness is evident in their leadership, with terms such as transparency, collaboration, commitment, and tolerance being actively incorporated into their vocabulary and mindset.
The second is their adaptability. The introduction of technology during childhood or adolescence represented a radical change to which they had to adapt without being fully aware of the transformation. They learned a new form of communication and how to utilize technology positively. While a percentage may view technology pessimistically, and others optimistically, the majority adapted to change to survive. Consequently, in the current era of considerable instability, they are the leaders who naturally adapt to organizational change.
In conclusion, this involves identifying two valuable qualities for today’s organizational world within a group born in a specific time and influenced by a similar global context. Do you believe that both of these qualities are present in the so-called millennial generation?
