Page 132 - How America's Best Places to Work Inspire Extra Effort in Extraordinary Times

The Real Job of Managers C119

Traditionalists (born before 1946)

: Tap their experience.
: Give thorough orientations, and provide clear expecta-
tions.
: Say “please” and “thank you.”
: Appeal to logic, sense of duty, the idea of leaving a leg-
acy, and drive for results.
: Coach respectfully.
: Communicate face-to-face and in a more personal way.
: Reward with visual symbols of status.
: Train them in technology.

Boomers (born 1946–1964)

: Show interest in them personally.
: Ask . . . don’t give orders.
: Tap their unique individual strengths.
: Challenge them to have an impact, leave their mark.
: Make the workplace warm, humane, democratic, harmo-
nious, and casual.
: Explain the larger meaning of the work.
: Link their pay to performance.
: Provide growth and learning opportunities.
: Acknowledge their contributions.
: Help them keep pace with new technologies.
: Provide nontraditional work hours and phased retirement
options.

Gen Xers (born 1965–1980)

: Challenge them early and often.
: Manage by objectives.
: Let them do it their way.