10 Things A Boomer Boss Should Know About A Millennial's Work Ethic

1) We have a dual-income home

I can't spend every day and night at work. My spouse is working too, and I need to get home to take over with the kids.

2) We're partnering in our parenting

With my spouse and I both working, we also share the parenting load. This means I'm running errands, making meals, and helping my kids get ready for bed. And we like it that way.

3) We value family time

We're going to push back on long hours because life is more than work. We want to enjoy nights at home with our spouse and kids more than we want to log more hours at work.

4) We've got an entrepreneurial spirit

We've got a small business or a side hustle. You may not know it, but we go home and log more hours. Everything has gone way up - housing, health insurance, retirement saving. Without multiple streams of income, we'll be priced out of everything and left floundering at retirement age. This is both a passion and a necessity.

5) We believe the data, science, and research around work

More hours do not equal better work. Many studies show that we're getting diminishing returns after about 50 hours a week. Rest and play are crucial to bringing our best at work.

6) We're highly productive

We've found ways to get more done in less time (often out of necessity). We're highly skilled in productivity, automation, systemization, managing time, managing energy, and delegation.

7) We're judged by results

More hours does not make me a better worker. I'm judged by my output and production. I'm judged by the value I bring and the results I get.

8) We're learning all the time

We're spending a lot of hours learning and honing new skills. We're spending our off hours digging into books, podcasts, and videos on YouTube, Skillshare, or LinkedIn Learning.

9) We value a Multi-Facited life

We value hard work. We also value our health, fitness, spiritual growth, life-giving hobbies, and time with family and friends. All of these come together for a rich, fulfilling life.

10) We're invested in our community

We're spending time volunteering in our city. A few less hours at work means a few more hours making a lasting impact.

(and one more for good measure)

11) We need to know why

A paycheck isn't enough to motivate us. Why is this important? Does it make a difference? What is the vision? Where are we going?