Collaborative workplaces have transformed the way many companies do business by breaking down walls both literally and figuratively. This move to the collaborative work environment has been largely motivated by the Millennial generation’s preference of a team culture over a competitive one. Why does this generation thrive when working together? Here are five reasons:
Innovating inspiration.
What happens when a group of Millennials comes together in the workplace? An open atmosphere is created where Millennials can share ideas and innovative strategies. In competitive workplaces, Millennials feel they have to keep these ideas guarded and close to their chest so someone doesn’t steal them and bring it to management first. In collaborative environments, this generation is encouraged to share and work together to arrive at new ideas, leading to a more adaptable, innovative and successful company.
Friendships.
When working in a collaborative environment, Millennials will undoubtedly become closer to their co-workers. Although managers may be wary of having employees become close friends at work, for the Millennial generation, friendship serves as a motivator in the workplace. It encourages Millennials to strive for greatness, to work harder, and it helps them look forward to coming into work every day. Strong friendships cannot be built in an environment where employees are pitted against one another, so choose a collaborative atmosphere for a team that is more like a family than a group of co-workers.
Mentor me.
Millennials understand and appreciate the generations that have come before them, and instead of being in competition with these employees, they would prefer to learn directly from them. In a collaborative environment, Millennials get the opportunity to work closely with other employees and broaden their knowledge of the industry and the world around them. Mentors are very useful to Millennials, and a collaborative work environment is the perfect place for this generation to pair up with one.
Flexibility.
Millennials don’t want to be bound to a set work schedule every day, so the thought of having to engage in an unspoken competition between coworkers of who works the longest hours is nauseating to this generation. In atmospheres where competition is not promoted, this feeling of having to outdo the person next to you doesn’t exist, so Millennials can choose to work the way they feel they are the most productive.
Show off their skills.
A collaborative environment gives Millennials the chance to show off their leadership skills to upper management. In these environments, it is natural for a leader to emerge from the pack to run the brainstorming sessions, organize a project timeline or be the main contact. Upper management will be watching to see which Millennials naturally take on these roles, something that wouldn’t be possible when teamwork and collaboration isn’t encouraged.