On Top of Real Recognition: Top 10 Insider Secrets for Motivating a Multi-Generational Team January 26, 2009
By Roy Saunderson
It's not easy motivating and recognizing the age diversity of employees in today's workforce. From entry-level Gen-Ys to seniors, the four generations of co-workers can be challenging to motivate, especially if you only have one uniform program. So, how can you keep each generation engaged and motivated? Learn from these insider secrets and stay ahead in retaining your multi-generational team.
1. Learn about the culture in each generation. Some may like Sinatra while others prefer JayZ, but as a manager you must respect them both. Pay attention, familiarize yourself with the icons and trends across the cultures and make sure everyone knows you are a manager who can talk to them in their "speak."
2. Understand what makes them tick. Seniors work for survival, Boomers for fulfillment, Xers work as a means to an end, and Millennials just want to develop skills and move on. Know what drives each generation.
3. Manage each generation right. Seniors just work hard at everything, Boomers work 9-to-5 and Millennials get the job done across a 24-hour clock. Respect the differences and draw upon them.
4. Bridge the natural differences. Educate and share each generation's differences, motives and commonalities through lunch-and-learn sessions. Understanding will instill better working relationships.
5. Common purpose drives everything. Unite all generations through a clear and meaningful business purpose. Next, spell out the actions each person must perform to fulfill that purpose.
6. Keep the communications flowing. There is no communication gap only a gap in communication. Use every available medium to inform, inspire and connect the generations especially telling about people and what they do.
7. Make more one-on-one time. If Millennials seem to be more expecting of one-on-one feedback, so what? Every generation would benefit from the same treatment of positive supervisory/management and employee relationships.
8. Dive into social networking. Instant messaging, texting and corporate networking technologies can be used to give instant feedback out to young and old. Tell the stories of great teamwork examples across the generations.
9. Mix and match. Have a Senior mentor a Millennial and watch the transfer of knowledge take on a new shape with the younger perspective. Get people working together to discount negative prejudices.
10. Link positive actions to recognition. Whether direct or indirect, use generational preferences as recognition opportunities. When sending a Millennial on a development course, state it's because of work they've been doing and the potential seen in them.
INCENTIVE online columnist Roy Saunderson, author of Giving the Real Recognition Way is President of Recognition Management Institute (www.realrecognition.com) which consults with companies on improving employee motivation leading to increased productivity and profits. He can be reached at RoySaunderson@realrecognition.com.
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