A Challenge for Leaders Connecting with Generation X and Y

Every journal and business magazine we read, every conference, workshop and seminar we go to and every manager we talk with raises concerns about “managing” Generation X and Y. As someone who had seven very exciting and innovative jobs in the first ten years after I left school, (the first being the only one I applied for) I have to wonder what’s new! Much of what generation X and Y are asking for are what organisations need to be providing for all their staff anyway - challenges, new experiences, the chance to develop professionally, to move within the organisation, to feel they are doing something that is making a difference. Generation X and Y are really challenging organisations to attend to the development of their people – as a high priority.

That aside, however, the considerable frustration and disappointment is understandable when an organisation does all the above for a talented, young, high achieving person, offering them every opportunity to grow and develop so that they will stay in their company – but they still seek something more in another organisation! Having talked with many managers who’ve been through this, there is a feeling of hopelessness, what’s the use, almost despair and sometimes even anger.

What do they do? They give up on them. What could they do? They could maintain contact with them.

Find an appropriate way to stay in touch.
Sometimes this can be difficult if they have gone to a competitor. If they have gone to a different organisation or overseas it is much simpler. They may be quite responsive to your on-going contact.

Continue a mentoring role with them.
Many Generation X and Y people are searching, searching for what will give their lives meaning and purpose and they often can’t articulate what that is. They can only say that they will know it when they find it. A mentor who offers commitment, consistent presence and enthusiastic support can provide considerable input into their searching.

Make it known that you are available to them if they need to talk.
Suggest they make contact if they are back in town. Tell them that if there is anything you can do for them you would be happy to do it.

Send them information you think they may be interested in.

Offer to write them a reference if they ever need one.

At some point maybe those Generation X and Y people, having discovered what they are searching for will come back to your company with much to offer. Older, wiser, with considerably more experience and expertise they now want to make a commitment to your organisation because it, and you in particular, gave their journey and their lives meaning and purpose.