The more things change… - November 2009

The more things change, the more - inevitably - they stay the same. There are still those of us who try to get the best from people by firing off instructions about what they should do; where, when, how and with whom. In spite of the books and the courses that teach us how to improve communication, engage with people and participate with them in decision making, the reality is that one still hears a lot of “telling” going on. With employees who know the rules and accept the instructions, the work gets done and we get by. Now we’re faced with Generation X employees with all their assertiveness, ambition, creativity and communication skills. It’s tempting to think they need a different management style, when more of the same will probably do – so long as we get it right this time. Deal with reality Do your homework. Get all the facts at your fingertips. Do not assume you know everything: assume others may well know as much as you do. Ask for their input. Engage in dialogue Generation Xers are smart, bright and have fresh new opinions and ideas that you need to hear. If you make your conversations safe, they will speak up. Don’t tell them what you think. Ask them for their ideas and consider their answers carefully. Acknowledge Catch them doing things right, and give compliments. Don’t focus only on the negative. Disclose something of your own opinions and feelings, and ask for theirs. Acknowledge them at a personal level so you can develop better relationships. It’s more of what employees have always needed and wanted. All that’s different now is the pressure to get it right.