One of the greater challenges that managers face in the modern workplace is how to engage with their millennial workers. Companies are struggling to retain their younger employees and adapt to the changing nature of the workforce. With millennials set to count for 50% of the workforce by 2020 overcoming this challenge is only going to become increasingly important.

Managers need to equip themselves with the tools and techniques necessary to motivate and engage millennial employees. One of the most powerful techniques that managers can arm themselves with is coaching. Using management coaching techniques when working with millennial employees is highly effective and can yield great results.

Here are 3 reasons why using coaching techniques with millennial employees will help engage, motivate and retain younger generation workers.

1. Expectations and outcomes

Millennial workers have high expectations from their jobs and the companies they work for. They have been raised to believe they can achieve anything and are very goal driven. Coaching focuses on the goals or outcomes of the individual and the steps they can take to achieve them. This appeals to the millennial workers need to feel that they are moving towards their greater goal.

2. Providing structure

Millennial workers need structure, they’ve grown up in an age where information is everywhere. The internet has provided them with ‘how-to’ guidance on how to do pretty much anything, from becoming a lawyer to looking after a house plant. Without structure millennials can quickly become lost. Coaching provides a clear framework that helps the individual structure their thoughts, whilst encouraging them to define clear action plans.

3. Feeling listened to and included

Millennials want to feel listened to, and that their contribution is valued. This is true of any generation, but none more so than millennials. They are used to doting parents who have encouraged their children to express their feelings and opinions. For this reason millennials will respond very badly if they feel they are not being listened to. Coaching is all about listening to what the other person has to say and showing that you understand and value their opinion. It encourages the participant to formulate solutions to their own problems, this is important for millennials as it allows them to feel that they are making a valuable contribution.

Millennials are massive consumers of online learning and often favour this format of learning to a traditional classroom approach. They want to learn in their own time, on their own terms.