Back in 2008, the Wall Street Journal published an article that shared five tips for effectively leading your team, irregardless of whether your team members were boomers, Gen X, Gen Y, or those just coming out of college (some call Gen Flex). These five tips include:
- Avoid surprises, especially when it comes to performance coaching,
- Be clear about what you want and expect. If you’re not clear about what you want, you can’t expect others to read your mind.
- Listen to what they are saying, verbally and nonverbally.
- Keep it loose. Try to keep it informal, rather than a formal performance review.
- Be prepared-keep notes on what was shared and what you agreed to do, along with what your colleague agreed to do.
Hite also found some interesting differences among the generations:
- providing detailed guidance in daily work was rated as moderately or extremely important by 65% of Gen Y, but only 39% of baby boomers.
- 85% of Gen Y want frequent and candid performance feedback vs 50% of Baby boomers. (Source: Hite, Employers rethink how they give feedback, Wall Street Journal, 10/13/08)
What lessons have you found that work especially well in effectively leading your teams?