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Five things Millennials never want to hear

The workplace has a recurring habit of throwing generations together and forcing them to cooperate. As Millennials (age 18-30), one of the largest cohorts in modern America, join the labor force, GenXers, boomers, and seniors are having to learn how to get along with their new employees. It isn't always easy. Millennials usually have broader experience with technology than their older colleagues do and are widely regarded as competitive, collaborative, and passionate, but also persistent and self-possessed to the point of feeling entitled to promotions they haven't earned. So here are five things not to say to these young and talented workers along with suggestions on how to improve the communication:

Mary Knox Merill/The Christian Science Monitor/File
In this file photo employees Heather Grill, Chris Dembro and Colette Monahan converse in the offices of Ernst & Young in Boston, MA. The company, which specializes in professional tax and accounting services, has been cited on numerous published lists of Best Companies to Work For.

1. 'I don't use social media'

Tim Post/Minnesota Public Radio/AP/File
In this file photo, a computer shows a LinkedIn graphic at a social media workshop at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Older bosses who ignore or diss social media can be a major turnoff to their Millennial employees.

  • By Jim Finkelstein (boomer) Contributor
  • Matt Finkelstein (Millennial) Contributor

Get with the program! The power of social media is unbelievable. Look at how the world has been changed by Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google. Saying this suggests to Millennials that you’re out of touch with the world. Millennials are all about the experience. They don't want to work with people without some sort of shared context. Instead, show how hip you are and connect with your Millennials on social media sites. You must learn the boundaries of appropriate use, however, and this means not prying or using social media as the sole means of communication. 

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