Picture this: It is your first day at a new job. Your anticipation mixes with apprehension and anxiety. All sorts of questions fly through your mind: \u201cIs this where I\u2019m supposed to be?\u201d \u201cWill people like me?\u201d \u201cCan I\u00a0really make a career out of this?\u201d Now flash forward 25 years. You have spent the last 2 and a half decades working for that organization, building a legacy that will live on even after your departure. You have helped your company build its brand and\u00a0increase revenue; you have empowered those around you through meaningful relationships; you have been successful by all definitions of the word.<\/p>\n
Every employer dreams of having an entire organization of this type of person. Managers often ask themselves, \u201cWhat made (or makes) them stay for the long term?\u201d Employee retention is one of the leading concerns of most organizations, yet we\u00a0think they are asking the wrong question. Instead of asking \u201cwhat\u201d makes people stay, perhaps the question should be \u201cwho.\u201d Over 70% of people leave their jobs because of the way they are led, not how much they are paid. It stands\u00a0to reason that if we want employees to stay, we have to become better leaders. But how? The trick lies in recognizing a few essential leadership roles.<\/p>\n
Like your washing machine, dryer, and life, employment comes in cycles. Your employees navigate key phases, performance milestones and challenges as they move from recruitment to departure. To be an effective leader, you must recognize what stage each
\nof your employees is in and respond accordingly.<\/p>\n
In each stage of the Employee Cycle, the individual has different needs that must be met and questions they ponder:<\/p>\n
Is this where I want to work? Am I a fit?<\/p>\n
Where do I fit?
\nAm I welcome here?<\/p>\n
Am I learning what I need to know?
\nDo I have the tools and information I need to do my job?<\/p>\n
Is my contribution acknowledged?
\nAm I motivated to accomplish my goals?<\/p>\n
Am I sharing my knowledge? Do you know what I know?<\/p>\n
Once you accurately assess which phase each person is in within their cycle, you can step up and engage them with the tips I have outlined here. Be prepared\u2014what follows is packed with a lot of powerful information that will challenge you to grow\u00a0as a leader and will equip you to engage employees of the multigenerational workforce. But it is only as effective as your commitment to taking action on what you read.<\/p>\n
This is arguably the most important role a manager plays. As the Talent Scout, it is your responsibility to recruit and hire the most talented individuals who are committed to the vision of your organization. This means that it is not only up to you to\u00a0accurately assess the skills of the prospect, but to clearly communicate the value of your organization to the person. If they are going to commit to the company for the duration of their career, they have to buy into the vision, mission, values,\u00a0direction, etc. of your company. It is up to you to help the best candidates fall in love with your company even before they first punch in.<\/p>\n
Engaging the generations in each stage may be difficult, but here a few ideas to help you out. Understand what attracts each generation to an employer, and then customize your communication to attract them. For instance, try these promises:<\/p>\n
Once your prospect joins your team as a new hire, your role shifts from one of recon to one of integration. It is up to you to help your new hire acclimate to the culture, embrace the position, and connect to the social network. The best managers\u00a0recognize the importance of monitoring and guiding the interconnections within the group, the socio-organizational norms that create (or diminish) the collaboration and cooperation critical to delivering a stellar product or outstanding service.\u00a0Truthfully, the first 30 days determine the next 10 years for new hires.<\/p>\n
Try these generation-specific actions to ensure that new hires of each generation remain committed:<\/p>\n
This critical role empowers employees in the Learner stage and guides them to the Performer stage. The Performance Coach is responsible for reinforcing positive behaviors and correcting negative ones. As the Performance Coach, you provide career insight
\nand on-the-job feedback to assist in development; you prepare your team members for future positions and are not afraid to have realistic career conversations; you are their advocate, cheerleader, and the voice of reason on a daily basis. Development is
\neverywhere\u2014you just have to commit to helping your team\u00a0members grow!<\/p>\n
Manage members of different generations in ways that are meaningful to them:<\/p>\n
The Engagement Expert is tasked with fostering one-on-one connections to keep the talent you fought hard to get and grow. Performers who are inspired, motivated, and challenged will continue to contribute at high levels. While the other managerial roles\u00a0listed here focus on the success of the group, the Engagement Expert needs to hone in on individual needs and be very deliberate about creating a strong, trusting relationship with each person. You must let each person know he or she is valued and\u00a0successfully motivate each to achieve organizational objectives.<\/p>\n
Try these techniques to engage members of each generation:<\/p>\n
THE LEGACY CREATOR<\/p>\n
Last but not least, the leader as Legacy Creator ensures that the know-how of employees does not get lost in transition. This managerial role assists Legacy Leavers in sharing their knowledge with others in the organization. As the Legacy Creator, you\u00a0are responsible for creating a talent foundation that is necessary for your organization to be successful in the future. You foster resilience, continuity, knowledge sharing, and teachability, and equip your team for whatever may lie ahead.<\/p>\n
Need ideas on how to effectively capture the knowledge of Legacy Leavers from each generation? Try these:<\/p>\n
Just as the wheels on the bus go round and round, so does the cycle for employees and managers alike. The challenge is for you to recognize what role best suits each of your employees, and engage the multigenerational workforce accordingly. You never\u00a0know\u2014you might just be investing in the success of the next Steve Jobs.<\/p>\n
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