Every workplace has its motivational ups and downs, but among the most important leadership attributes is the ability to quickly move teams through those low points so everyone can get back on track.

That sounds simple, but what’s the best plan for motivating teams?  It all depends on company culture, of course, but one study suggests that if your team has Millennials on it, there’s a very clear answer to that question: cultivating a sense of belonging.

Millennials are the fastest-growing generation.

We’re all motivated differently to do a good job at work…some of us are internally driven to do our best while others react to praise, recognition, or other rewards.  Of course it’s hard to generalize, but when it comes to Millennials (also known as Gen Y), there’s a clear path to motivation.
The 2015 study referred to a couple paragraphs earlier was called “Unlocking Millennial Talent 2015” and was designed to help companies figure out which leadership attributes worked best on this generation, which is transforming the workplace and how we communicate (how we do just about anything, really!).

Millennials…you can’t ignore them any longer!

Understanding what drives Millennials is crucial for any business, as Baby Boomers begin to retire and the 80 millions or so Millennials begin to make their mark on the workplace.
Leaders, unlocking the right leadership attributes for connecting with Millennials will make your business better and your teams stronger.

Here’s what the study revealed.

The number one motivator at work for the Millennial generation was Sense of Belonging.  From small actions to large company-wide strategies, leaders who take pains to make their Millennials feel welcome and appreciated will be doing themselves and their companies a world of good.
Insights from the study suggest some of the following actions for creating a sense of belonging:

• If you hire a Millennial, make that first day very special, to let the new employee know you are excited to have him or her on board.  Some companies go the extra mile and get creative in order to create a memorable and unexpected first day at work.
• For top performers, dole out special invitations to company events which are usually reserved just for executives or senior leadership.  It makes them feel a true sense of belonging, and that they’re not just a number to the higher-ups, but a real face.

Do your leadership attributes include creating a sense of belonging?

How about you?  Do you do things at work to make your Millennials feel like they belong to your company?  Are your leadership attributes “Millennial-friendly”?