In every workplace, there are four basic generation of staff you will come across. As an Employer or Manager, it is essential that you are able to identify and categorize them, motivate them, win their loyalty, and channel their strengths and characteristics for the over all interest of the Organisation.
They are the Baby Boomers, Gen X-ers, Millenials, and the Gen Z-ers.
Baby Boomers are those born between 1946-64. We seldom have many of them left but they have strong work ethic, optimistic, and they enjoy mentoring. All they ever desire is respect, opportunity to mentor others given their experience and grow through the ranks, they are not desperate or overtly ambitious but appreciates when their employers are loyal to them. Baby Boomers will be loyal to you when you publicly recognize their dedication and efforts they put in to grow your business. You will find them useful when you offer them opportunities for collaboration, make use of their advice, leverage on their experience and most importantly ensure you make provision for their gratuity and pension.
Gen X-ers: [1965-1979] These categories of staff are great Communicators and can work without supervision. You will bring out the best in them when you offer them problem-solving opportunities and freedom to operate bringing their creativity to play. They love working independently and also have critical thinking skills. The Gen X-ers are comfortable when they know their employers and Managers can be trusted.
The Millenials are those born between 1980-95. Those are the Tech savvy staffs who believe in collaborative efforts for the greater good of the Company. They love flexibility in their work to enable them try their hands on many things. They do not appreciate if you take their shine off them. As a manager or employer they will thrive under you if you assign them with mentors and great influencers at work. Millennial love feedback so don’t delay in replying them. Get to know them, their goals and areas of interest. Carry them along when decisions concerning them are being taken if you want to keep them.
The last set are the Gen Z-ers who are born after 1996. They are not emotionally tied to a place and therefore you will work hard to keep them for long. They are digitally efficient, can multi task and thrive where you put them.
Offer them great mentorship, Good and Competitive remuneration, consistent training to advance their skills or they will move on to where they will get those.
Give them opportunity to grow and lead them by example.
Which generation do you belong?