John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

We thought this was very poignant…and true.

In a time when society is motivated by instant gratification and the workforce is occupied by a generation of job-hoppers, how do you inspire greatness? How do you encourage loyalty? As managers, what can you do to better engage and retain top talent?

Let’s take a step back for a moment.

Millennials make up 1/3 of the current workforce. This is a significant piece of the pie…especially because 71% of them aren’t engaged in their current companies. Half of those unhappy campers are planning on leaving their jobs in a year.

Why Aren’t Millenials Happy at Work?

A lot of it has to do with management. 50% of all adults say that they have left a job to get away from their manager. Today’s professional, specifically the millennial professional, seeks a manager who is engaged and invested in their team’s development. They want to work in an environment where their voices are heard, their skills are properly utilized, their contributions are valued and their talent is recognized.

Below we’ve put together a list of six essential qualities leaders should possess, to help engage millennial teams. These tips will help to inspire employee happiness, satisfaction, and productivity as well as increase retention rates and reduce HR costs.

1. Have a Vision

As the President, having a vision for the country is paramount to building a platform and being elected into office.  Do you have this same type of vision for your employees? Having a long-term vision of what you want to accomplish, along with the smaller goals that will help you work towards that greater objective, is an important element of leadership and management.

2. Strong Communication Skills

Communication skills are essential in virtually every aspect of life—especially when it comes to leadership.  Being transparent in expressing expectations, plans, goals, and feedback will help your team clearly understand their team roles and objectives, while also promoting respect.

3. Ability to Collaborate

We’ve all heard the saying, “teamwork makes the dream work” and this rings true even for managers.  Being a team player is an invaluable asset to leadership as it allows you to build a solid team that you trust (and who trusts you!).  Don’t be afraid to ask for input from team members either…just because you are the leader doesn’t mean the team can’t benefit on the whole from the thoughts and ideas of others.

4. Confidence & Tenacity

Whether leading a country or managing a team, you need to be able to inspire those looking up to you and instill positivity and assurance during both productive and trying times. Diligence, determination, patience, and courage are essential qualities to embody as a leader. When the time comes to get results, or to stand up for decisions and work, having persistence and fortitude is indispensable.

5. Be Supportive & Accessible

One out of two employees will leave a job if they don’t feel supported by their manager. To provide meaningful feedback and focus on employee strengths, not weaknesses.

6. Reward Good Work

Always remember that a bit of gratitude can go a long way. Show gratitude as often as you can by developing an employee recognition program that rewards employees for their years of service, top performance and continued excellence.

For any of your additional employee engagement needs, be sure to contact Rymax today!