Why Millennials Need Mentoring

Once a person understands where a generation is “coming from”, then we can target our mentoring techniques to unpack solution strategies for salvaging troubled relationships When their backs are against the wall, we can teach Millennials how to ask the right questions.

Who are the Millennials?

Millennials (Born 1977-1998—75 million) celebrate diversity, assume technology. They spend a good deal of time online, and they are heavy users of tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and blogging platforms. They were raised in the most child-centric time our nation has ever known. For better or for worse, these Millennials were showered with attention from us as friends and family__the Boomers. They are new to the workforce, work well in groups, and often prefer this to individual endeavors. They view institutions as irrelevant.

Why do Millennials need mentoring?

They have learned how to master and maintain a social network online but often unable to follow a healthy relational flight plan. They “toss away” relationship like upgrading for a newer cell phone model. For instance, if their marriage or friendship is struggling, let’s say two months in,--they are to quickly unwind or untie the commitment they previously made to the other person and find a replacement.

They are definitely in need of mentoring, no matter how tech-savy and confident they are, they lack the structure and stability and struggle to find it within themselves I believe this Millennial behavior pattern stems their inability to ask the right questions.

What are the right questions for Millennials to ask?

Allow me to use a painting metaphor to represent relationships. Let’s say that you (the reader) are a Millennial. You’ve attended an art gallery and purchased a painting resulting from a first glimpse. You’ve made the decision, coughed up some cash, and took it home. Two weeks later, however, you decide it’s not a particularly attractive painting and questioned …“what was I thinking” at the time of the purchase.


Encourage the Millennial to take the option of replacement “off the table.” Then, ask two mentoring questions applicable to relationships.

1. What can I do to make this painting more eye-appealing for me?
Consider the frame. Then, consider the room or the wall where the painting could be hung and would be more “sight-appealing” to you. What furniture pieces contribute to the accessibility, viewing and enjoyment of the painting? How can arranging the room (your schedule, your spiritual reading and theological reflections) make a difference? Remember, creativity is a millennial’s participation platform.

Instead of thinking of “tossing” away your spouse or friend you already have, why not list some ways in which you can enhance the relationship —to shape it with your influence—to discard biases and pre-conceived notions and structure to your strengths and enjoy the differences, not just the similarities.

2. How can I add value to the significance of having the painting in my home or apartment?

Consider who else sees the painting and benefits from it. Children? Spouse? Friends?
While most Millennials expect immediate and ongoing feedback, it is equally rewarding to give feedback to others. Becoming comfortable enough in your “own skin” to use a pragmatic approach to enjoy the people who are in your life already by not giving in to the temptation of substitution.

For Reflection:

List some additional questions you can ask to sharpen your mentoring technique for serving and equipping Millennials?