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How Leaders of Today can Retain Leaders for Tomorrow
By Chandra Leavitt
Twenty four year old Sam starts a new job on Monday morning and he’s already decided, before he gets his first paycheck, whether he wants to stay or find another job. Why is this? What is it about our young people ? How can you, as a manager, retain young employees?
Gen Y’s, or young people born after 1980, have grown up in an entirely different world. A world where communication is faster, where everything is immediate - including gratification -and confidence in oneself is much more evident at a young age than it was for boomers and Gen X’s.
So how do you as leaders build the bridge to new young leaders coming into the workforce? Dr. Karyn Gordon, a leading authority on understanding the Gen Y’s, gives 7 tips for the traditional managers today. 1. Earn respect. Respect is earned not given or expected.
2. Accept responsibility. Boomers created the Gen Y’s. We have overindulged, given them everything they need and helicoptered every move they have made and never allowed them to fail. The time to shift perspective to be open enough to learn from one another is now more important than ever.
3. Engage them. Gen Y’s may want you to think they know everything but sometimes they just want to be asked how they feel.
4. Be clear. Never assume that initiative is common sense. Be clear with what you need, when you need it and why you need it.
5. Set boundaries. A sense of order and clear expectations of how to act, what to wear, how to communicate and a clear job description is essential.
6. Infuse challenge. New challenges often motivate gen Y’s to stay engaged and stay with your company.
7. Build relationships. Take time to talk and really listen and truly care about your employees. Ask them what they want and what makes them tick.
Michael Adams, President of Environics and well known author explains the generational differences well. 1. Boomers grew up with authority as the norm. Gen Y’s are seeking autonomy.
2. Boomers grew up deferring gratification. Gen Y’s have been conditioned to live in an instant gratification world.
3. Boomers grew up with hierarchy being the norm. Gen Y’s expect equality.
4. Boomers are used to rigidity. Gen Y’s know and embrace flexibility.
5. Boomers are more rules oriented. Gen Y’s want to think for themselves and embrace creativity.
6. Boomers work for compensation. Gen Y’s work for fulfillment.
Keeping employees is an issue today not only in our local communities but in our country. Following these simple steps will save you tons of continual recruitment time... For more information on how coaching, offering workshops to young employees and helping Gen Y’s excel in their careers, give us a call. Coaching works.
Chandra Leavitt BN CPCC
Life Coach
506-847-4199
Toll Free: 888-747-4199
www.visioncoachinginc.com
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