Joanna NewmanHead of Innovation and Transformation , Telecoms| VodafoneCholderton, United Kingdom
We're seeing millenials enter the job market and baby boomers starting to exit. How are you managing multiple generational teams in the workplace? Or perhaps you have a question on "how" to manage such teams. Please post your views, stories and questions here. Saving Changes...
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Rebecca BraglioCommunity Engagement Specialist II| Project Management InstituteNewtown Square, Pa, United States
I'm fascinated by this topic Joanna - thank you so much for raising it.
Personally, when I first started working with "millenials" I was very easily frustrated. It took me some time to realize that these co-workers just had an entirely different approach...not necessarily better or worse, just different.
My biggest struggle has always been on how to get a team motivated to "manage up" or to be self-starters. To ask for forgiveness instead of permission. As a professional, I'm very against the idea of having to "baby sit" to make sure a team is doing what they are paid to do. Any tips? Saving Changes...
Joanna NewmanHead of Innovation and Transformation , Telecoms| VodafoneCholderton, United Kingdom
Great points! You are not alone with your frustrations. I think that sometimes we need to remember that we were once new too. It may be useful to think of it as the reverse of the "Pay it Forward" strategy - we're paying back (with interest!).
The process of bringing a team together to a performing standard requires more time than most people expect. However, doing it properly will always save you time and energy in the long run and gain you a reputation for high performing teams.
The trick is to build trust. Most managers *say* ask forgiveness, but that's usually within a strictly codified framework of acceptable activities. Give your team the chance to try things out. They will get some wrong, but if you provide clear immediate feedback they will learn to trust that you say what you mean. Try using some of the examples as talking points in group meetings so that the team can arrive at the best understanding. Good Luck!
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Stephen MayeSenior Vice PresidentVa, United States
Hello All! The rise of the Millennials has been interesting for me in my consulting work. More often than managing them, I am coaching and advising them, collaborating with them, and serving them in various ways as clients (as more of them rise through the ranks).
Although there are differences, I have been impressed by the intelligence and raw horsepower of many of the young people with whom I've worked.
That said, I'm very interested to hear about the experiences (and experiments!) of others regarding Rebecca's Millennials question: "...how to get a team motivated to "manage up" or to be self-starters..."
What is working (and not) in your world? Saving Changes...
