Digg This: Talking to Gen Y

(page 2 of 2)

I'm buried in work! I do not like you!!"

That's an extreme example, but it makes the point that many bosses spend more time managing to task and less time mentoring their subordinates. Adelson believes that 50% of a manager's time should be allocated to developing her staff. Yes, 50%. It sounds like a lot, but Adelson reasons, "If [managers] aren't doing that, then the headcount is wrong, the budgeting process is wrong, or the company has tried to create too much efficiency. You'll burn people out."

Help Them Reach Their Goals

How should managers spend some of this time "developing" employees? Young people don't want to show up every day to just "turn a screw," as Adelson puts it. They look for meaning—in their work, their lives, and their interactions with their bosses.

As the RainmakerThinking research indicated, members of Generation Y want to grow. Adelson argues that an important component of mentoring is to know your employees and understand their goals. One person's goal might be to express themselves creatively in their job while another person might aspire to a specific position in the organization or industry.

The key is for managers to find that sweet spot in the lives of their employees and to help them reach their goals. If the goal isn't in line with the job function, then the job is wrong for the employee. That, too, is the job of a manager—to help people find the right roles and to exceed in those roles.

Helping employees achieve their goals is a win-win-win situation. According to Adelson, the employee will be engaged, which leads to higher productivity for the boss and the company. The boss's boss will be thrilled because the manager is getting the most out of his staff. Yes, I repeat, it's a win for the employee, the boss, and the company.

A strong manager can be a mentor, generate respect among younger people, and also develop relationships with staff that foster trust and admiration by both parties. Adelson believes that it's not an option to develop this type of relationship with younger workers—it's required.

Gallo is a Pleasanton (Calif.)-based corporate presentation coach and former Emmy Award-winning TV journalist. He's the author of the book 10 Simple Secrets of the World's Greatest Business Communicators. Visit him online at www.carminegallo.com.