IT’S A PIeCe of CAke!
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 48)
Today, the “big C” in business is Collaboration, sometimes
called “social learning.” It simply means employees learning
from one another. Practitioners say that with the guidance of
managers, it’s a pragmatic and pleasant way to convey infor-
mation and knowledge. So, encouraging your employees to
learn from each other, will allow employees from different
generations to feel more connected.
4.
Recognize generational
needs. Workers with children may value a
flexible schedule, but so may those who are
responsible for aged parents. Moms and dads who want to
attend kids’ school events may appreciate flexibility, so let
them make up the time in another way. Workers nearing
retirement may want to reduce their hours, understanding it
will reduce their pay but not necessarily their input. Keep in
Call meeting only when
mind: what works for them works for you, paying off in
needed. Formal meetings are a pain, so use
increased staff morale.
them only when they’re really necessary.
Work-life balance is a buzzword we
Instead, keep your communication regular by
hear constantly, and it is becoming
inviting staff members to suggest alternatives.
People from all
increasingly important to millen-
People from all generations need to believe
nials, boomers and every
generations need to
they’re being heard, that their comments
believe they’re being heard, generation in between.
matter, and that they’re making signif-
To do any of these things
icant contributions. Have the group offer
that their comments matter, successfully, it’s wise to
ways to do that successfully.
educate yourself, hone your
and that they’re making
Even if you cut our regular super-
own interpersonal skills, and
fluous meetings, you should still provide
significant contributions.
constantly work on working
regular feedback to your team—and allow
Have the group offer
together. Let’s face it: working
them to give you the same courtesy. This
together is essential. All staff
ways to do that
back and forth will demonstrate that
members should understand that,
leadership clearly values every staff member,
successfully.
but it’s up to leaders to create a non-
whatever their age or differences. That means
judgmental
environment that makes
being conscious of constant change, not fearing it but
sharing comfortable, no matter your ago or
welcoming it. It means blending the best of your grand-
experience level.
father’s skills with today’s.
By now you may be thinking, “Yes, but all these general
stereotypes are so, well, general. Individuals are individuals,
Offer edu-perks. Offering education
with varying backgrounds and goals.”
and training options is a very important benefit
True enough. That’s why our metaphorical cake—
to millennial workers, but it also keeps workers
today’s
workplace—requires training, determination, creativity
from older generations more engaged and up-to-date on new
and patience. Combining the talents and smarts of diverse
processes and technologies. Providing educational opportu-
workers
may not be easy at first. Despite your best efforts, the
nities also helps maintain an employee’s interest in the
initial results may not be exactly what you hoped, and there
company.
may be more challenges as the years bring new generations.
Make it a priority to continue to educate yourself as well.
But
what you gain may be a new perspective on your role and
Updating skills is extremely important, and traditional views
professionalism that brings even greater job satisfaction and
of effective leadership are changing. When you continue to
pride.
Remember, even if the workplace is a piece of cake,
hone your craft, your employees will be inspired to do
success is not necessarily baked in. n
the same for themselves.
2.
3.
RITA B. CRAIG, CSP, SPHR-SHRM, is an inspirational “people” person with 40 years of career achievements—HR executive, consultant,
author, TEDx speaker, leadership coach—and she attributes much of her success to being raised in a bustling household with 10 siblings.
She taps into her extensive global human resources experience to drive individual and organizational success. Rita is the recipient of
many awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award for HR Excellence. Her company, Top Tier Leadership is focused on exceeding
expectations and creating individual and organizational success that people talk about!
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PULSE
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March/April 2018