Never before has an era created so much confusion and contradiction.

The Millennials are facing discrimination on levels that haven’t been encountered since women entered the work force. Even though it’s different – it is still met with as much animosity and disdain as the thought of allowing a simple woman to occupy a seat at the executive table. Employers are at an impasse, tossing their hands in the air and not quite sure what the next move will be.

Did you cringe or head shake when I mentioned “discrimination”? Because if you are honest and look at the reaction and interaction with this generation you have to admit this is something that needs to be considered. This gap between management/owners and Millennials is more of a chasm or great divide which is only growing larger. And the only way to bridge it is with understanding, open mindedness – and education!

As a business owner or manager if you are not willing to 1)- admit there is a division and then 2) – take steps to change, then we are looking at a revolt.  The knowledge and experience of the older generation will be lost. Generations of wisdom that has been accumulated and passed down will end.  You can no longer turn up your nose and ignore the Millennials as spoiled or entitled.

Entitlement – It’s a word tossed around a lot lately, especially when discussing Millennials.  How do we now have a generation that is equated with royalty and welfare recipients at the same time? Entitlement can also be associated with laziness. We have to ask ourselves – how did we get to this point?

The fact being, Millennials were raised with an understanding that they were special and they deserved everything.  If they weren’t a part of a special team, one was created for them. If they weren’t excelling in something we lowered the bar and told them it was ok. Feelings became a priority over hard work and integrity. People scoffed at their ability to be detached and have their heads (and hands) buried in technology 24/7.  Technology that has advanced our nation faster than ever before has not been adapted to in a way that allows better working relationships.  This left the older set with their pride injured when achievements were made faster than they could read the manual.

Several intelligent people have delved into the ideology behind entitlement and Millennials in an attempt to find the best way to ‘deal with’ them. This is just the beginning of a series of articles on Millennials. Because no matter how you shake it, these Millennials are no longer the face of the future – they are our now!