MPW Insider is an online community where the biggest names in business and beyond answer timely career and leadership questions. Today’s answer for: What is one piece of advice all millennials should take before entering the workforce? is written by Julie Larson-Green, CXO of applications and services group at Microsoft.
In my experience, helping any new hire (including millennials) to succeed requires clear expectation setting and continuous open communication. Here are a few ways millennials can thrive as individuals in the workforce and successfully contribute to a larger team:
Keep your promise. Being on a team is helpful, but it’s also a commitment. Understand why your team members depend on you. It’s important to deliver what you’ve committed to and understand how your work fits into a certain project. And make sure you don’t over-promise, which is easy to do when you’re enthusiastic and excited about a project. Be reliable.
Ask for feedback. It’s one of the best ways to continually check in with your collegues, get reassurance, and grow. Embrace critical feedback —it can sting—but it’s essential when first entering the workforce. Recognize your strengths, areas that need investment, and where to change your behavior to be more effective.
Invest in your company. Have a clear understanding of your customers needs and what drives business. Be proactive; take advantage of your leaders and managers. And more importantly, when you feel that you don’t have the information you need, don’t be afraid to reach out.
Read all answers to the MPW Insider question: What is one piece of advice all millennials should take before entering the workforce?
Recent graduates: Why it’s okay to be unemployed after college by Maren Kate Donovan, CEO of Zirtual.
The downsides of technology in a hyper-connected world by Cheryl Cook, vice president of global channels and alliances at Dell.
The perfect job doesn’t exist, so focus on this instead by Erin Ganju, co-Founder and CEO of Room to Read.
Barbara Bush: How to find a mentor by Barbara Bush, co-founder of Global Health Corps.
What you can actually learn from getting fired by Gay Gaddis, CEO and founder of T3.
Why social media is a blessing (and a curse) by Pam Wickham, vice president of corporate affairs and communications at Raytheon Company.
The most important thing to consider when accepting a job offer by Lisa Donohue, CEO of Starcom USA.
6 key benefits of having a mentor by Carolyn Rodz, CEO of Market Mentor.
The myth behind climbing the corporate ladder by Shiza Shahid, co-founder and ambassador of Malala Fund.
The one word that will boost your career by Jennifer Steinmann, Chief Talent Officer of Deloitte.
6 ways to determine if you’re in the right career by Debby Hopkins, CEO at Citi Ventures.
There’s no such thing as a linear career path by Trish Lukasik, Senior Vice President of Sales at PepsiCo.
Want to succeed in your career? Get uncomfortable by Kathy Bloomgarden, CEO of Ruder Finn.
Listen to your gut — it could make you CEO one day by Kara Goldin, founder and CEO of Hint Water.
Why millennials have the power to change the workplace — for good by Lauren Stiller Rikleen, President of Rikleen Institute for Strategic Leadership.
Why passion may not be enough to build a successful career by Sarah Leary, co-founder and vice president of marketing and operations at Nextdoor.
How to build a career, not just a job by Alyse Nelson, president and CEO of Vital Voices Global Partnership.
Best lesson from your first job: discovering your weaknesses by Ann Marie Petach, Senior Managing Director of Solutions Group at BlackRock.
3 ways to get noticed at work by Liz Wiseman, President of Wiseman Group.
Can millennials revolutionize business? by Erica Dhawan, co-author of “Get Big Things Done” and CEO of Cotential.
Girl Scouts CEO Anna Maria Chavez: My best career advice for millennials by Anna Maria Chavez, CEO of the Girl Scouts of America.
