Friday, November 30, 2012

Don’t Treat Your Firm’s Millennial Lawyers Like Wanna-Be Boomers!



As your Boomer partners, lawyers and staff retire, you are dealing increasingly with the Millennial generation, no longer the “babies” of the group, since they are now hitting 30.

You are no doubt discovering that these young lawyers, soon to be partners, aren’t going to become Boomers. Their interests, work ethics and personal values are very different.

Don’t treat your Millennials like wanna-be Boomers! Respect what engages their hearts and talents.

Millennials are driven by meaning, by the ability to make a difference in the world, and although they certainly appreciate decent compensation, it’s not what gets them to be productive or to excel.

For example, when you assign work, make sure to point out the meaning, the value of this work, be it to the client or to the community. Especially to the community, for societal issues are pertinent to this generation, and they will gear up on its behalf.

Provide lots of ongoing positive feedback, along with whatever suggestions for improvement are required. Make sure you offer opportunities for growth and learning. Millennials are generally very accepting of a Boomer’s experience and knowledge, and can benefit greatly from a mentoring relationship.

Don’t begrudge Millennials their tenacious enthusiasm. It is what fuels their willingness to put in the hours and the brain-power you need.

The Millennials are an exciting, powerful generation. Respect them as such, and they will soar – and your firm along with them.

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A Winning Case Dr. Noelle Nelson recently consulted on:

Congratulations to Leila J. Noël and A. Barry Cappello of Cappello & Noël (Santa Barbara) for their successful $4,800,000  Settlement which the Santa Barbara County and Santa Barbara County Sherriff's Department agreed to pay to the survivors (and their parents) of a wrong way driver accident, involving a Sheriff's Deputy, that took two lives and seriously injured two others.

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