The Millennial Generation in High Reliability Organizations (HRO)
Abstract
The Millennials (also known as Generation Y) were born between 1981 and 1997, and comprise 30 of the U.S. population, and 80 of the active duty military force. By the year 2025, they will lead High Reliability Organizations (HRO) throughout the DoD.1,2 They are the most educated, ethnically diverse, and technologically savvy generation to date, however, they use texting, and the internet to manage their relationships, they put self-interest above organizational interests, and they have a hard time making decisions that are not consensus driven, and prefer to work in either autonomous or semiautonomous teams as opposed to a vertical hierarchal management system.3 In this paper, I discussed how that tension between HRO principles and millennial characteristics can be shaped, and overcome through the establishment of trust, instilling a sense of purpose and developing a mindfulness culture throughout the organization. To research HROs, I conducted a retrospective analysis of case studies, lessons learned, and best practices in the medical, nuclear and aviation industries. To research millennials, I used case studies, opinion polls, and lessons learned, from media, commercial, academic, and DoD articles.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 13, 2014
- Accession Number
- AD1037694
Entities
People
- Stephen Dalal
Organizations
- Air War College