Millennials, also known as Generation Y, are individuals born between 1980 and 1995. Millennial women exceed women of the previous generation in education, confidence and employability, according to Laura Cox Kaplan, Principal-in-Charge of U.S. Government, Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy at PricewatherhouseCoppers PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP.
Millennial women think and work differently, therefore organizations are encouraged to create a work culture that attracts this new generation of workers.
“Next generation diversity: developing tomorrow’s female leaders,” the study reported. Fifty-one percent of millennial women expect to will rise to the top of their organizations. As a result, they bring an egalitarian attitude to the workplace. Thus, a career progression that fulfills them personally and professionally is fostered.
Millennial women are redefining their priorities and what it means to climb the corporate ladder.
Because personal as well as professional fulfillment are equally important, contemporary millennial women are inclined to explore entrepreneurial ventures in which leadership is defined by achievement instead of hierarchy, in lieu of unfulfilling job opportunities.
Millennial women realize the necessity for women to engage in candid dialogue about what is important to them. Work and family are both high priorities for them and they are not afraid to make it known and go after this balance.
According to PwC, frequent conversations about career development and flexibility are steps that will help women reach their full potential in the workplace.
A study conducted by Bentley University’s Center for Women and Business cites failing to take a personal interest in their employee’s career aspirations as a reason for organizations failing to retain millennial employees.
Increasing the acceptability of such conversations is needed to change mindsets that hinder a woman's career development.
Millennial women are reversing trends of verbal communication in the workplace.
According to an article in the Women in Leadership section of The Guardian, “Women of the baby boomer generation were taught to speak apologetically and lean back from their careers.” Millennial women are reversing this trend by promoting an even-handed relationship in the workplace.
They were raised to believe themselves to be equals and seek out employers that embrace this mentality. Women of Generation Y are more self-confident and are excited to get ahead in the workplace.
Sources:
World Economic Forum Agenda. How young women are changing the workplace. 1 February 2015.
https://agenda.weforum.org/2014/10/millennial-women-changing-workplace
The Guardian. How millennial women are redefining leadership at work. February 1 2015.
http://www.theguardian.com/women-in-leadership/2014/jun/20/millennial-women-redefining-leadership-confidence-gap
Reviewed February 2, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith