Each generation is look for something different in their work environment, and expectations for what defines a work environment have undergone a radical transformation. A key question that today’s top talent is asking when considering a new workplace is, “Will I thrive here?” It’s no longer acceptable merely to survive your company, harassing boss, or jerk co-worker. Today’s top talent wants your organization’s environment to be a place where they will flourish and grow their skills.

Traditionalists didn’t believe work was supposed to be the place you go to be happy, find fulfillment, and express your personality or life purpose. A Traditionalist says, “Work is called “WORK” for a reason. Work is a serious place you go to get a real day’s work done.” In the 1930s and 1940s, work environment laughter on the job was a disciplinary offense. You could be sacked at the Henry Ford Motor Plant for smiling or whistling on the job. (Whistle while you work was a Disney-invented fantasy.)

Boomers entered the workforce desiring an egalitarian environment that allowed for a free flow of ideas and opinions, a Utopia. However, their formative experiences of competing for every opportunity with their Boomer peers quickly transformed each job, bid, and client opportunity into a game full of politics and intrigue to be won at all costs.

Xers entered the workplace with great trepidation, and today, they are viewing the demand that they move into higher levels of management with the same caution. For Xers, moving up the “ladder” means becoming the enforcer of environmental protocol and policies they don’t believe in. Xers find navigating the political waters and intricate relationship mazes of the Baby Boomers exhausting and unfulfilling. They are creating their own environments that include: “No Jerk Policies” and “Results-Only Work Environments” (ROWE).

At the other end of the spectrum, the core of a Millennial’s definition of work is: “Work is a personally fulfilling experience of creating a solution from wherever I am the most productive.” For Millennials, work is a state of self-expression. It’s not a place where you go to do something; it’s what you do from wherever you are. They are looking for fun, friendly, and fast-paced environments that facilitate collaboration
and rapid advancement.

Creating an environment that launches you into a “Fastest Growing Company” has a lot in common with being recognized as one of the Best Places to Work.” Despite the tough economy, fast growing companies are not relying on the philosophy, “Our people are here because they have no other choice.” Fastest Growing Companies’ executives often cite as a core guiding principle, “People are our greatest asset.” We accomplish great things because of our people. “Best Places to Work” that are featured in business journals and magazines consistently report one three letter word that is central to the values of winning companies: “FUN.” Yes, fun is profitable.

Best Places to Work fun environments include the following common elements:
• Family friendly: Support active parenting practices
• Pet Friendly: Pet Policy allows bringing dogs to work
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is more than lip service
• Supportive of Volunteering: Financially and Philosophically
• Flexible: Workspaces (Virtual), Time-schedule (4/10 hour days, 3-day work weeks)
• Meritocracy: Rewards based on Results, not Tenure
• Technology Forward: Provide Budget of Professional Technology Upgrades