"I don't believe that a 'do this, do that' approach works at all. I think if you really want to have a lot of success you have to take on board the knowledge and ideas of people around you" - Sir Peter Blake
Liv Dolls
Online Store ing
Winter Collection In Store Now
Engagement, empathy, encouragement and challenge, these are their bottom line expectations of their boss.
Gen Y's want to be informed about the business, where and how it is going and what
the challenges are it faces. Not the sensitive detail but enough to make them feel trusted,
included and part of the decision-making processes. Share new ideas and business possibilities with your staff. Nothing erodes their trust and morale more than lack of communication, closed door decision- making and holding information to a few. Constantly keep your team in the loop and don't delegate the important messages to others to pass on – not unless Chinese whispers among your staff is the outcome you want.
Encourage your staff through scheduled
fortnightly meetings. A regular one-on-one should aim to tell someone how well they are
doing, what you expect of them going forward, where they need to develop and how you might help that. In my experience these meetings provide staff with a sense of ownership over their contribution to the business.
Take time in these meetings to empathise with your Gen Y's about their ambitions, life outside
work and their sense of job satisfaction – Gen Y's want to know what their training will look like and where
future opportunities lie in the business.
Incentivise your Gen Y's. Their world has been, and will be, way more competitive than
yours. So look for how you can create challenge and stretch them, and put an incentive around that. It doesn't always need to be a bonus – look for other forms of recognition and don't be afraid to ask them what they think would be fair. You, after all, can always say no. Few will ask for more than you can give. Engage your Gen Y's in your business and adopt Sir Peter Blake's wisdom to keep your team on board and not lost in your wake. Rachel Harris ywboard.vpweb.co.nz
Mark Orans, Blake: Leader, Random House New Zealand, 2009, p. 27. www.annahstretton.com
Now your favourite fashion store is online. Browse through our Annah.S and Annah Stretton ranges
