Managers, from entry to executive level, face a different set of challenges today than ever before.  Economics, demographics, globalization and the fast pace of change have created new expectations.  But, along with these new expectations come new opportunities for hiring talented employees.

What makes an employee talented?  Certainly a set of fundamental, industry-specific skills to complete job tasks.  More than that, talented employees contribute positivity to the culture of the organization.  They exude a great attitude that is infectious to their entire work team.  Some researchers call it "Emotional Intelligence."

Talented employees also intrinsically understand how to work with others to accomplish goals.  They know how to get the job done while getting along with people.   These employees are efficient and productive as they collaborate and communicate their way through one project after another.  They are also priceless.

Hiring the best and the brightest for your team doesn’t have to be difficult.  It just has to be deliberate.

Today I have the distinct honor of speaking to the NAIFA, a group of independent insurance and financial advisors, at their quarterly awards luncheon about building trust in a multigenerational world.  The post below is a reprint of one created for the Des Moines Register on the topic of multigenerational diversity.  Enjoy!

"The older generation thought nothing of getting up at five every morning- and the younger generation doesn’t think much of it either!" – John J. Welsch

When coaching leaders and managers, one of the most common concerns I hear from them is how to manage and motivate other generations.  Miscommunication and misperception abound. This can lead to loss of productivity. What is a manager to do?

For the first time in history, there are four generations in the American workplace.  If you understand the differences between the four generations, then you can set realistic performance expectations for each.  Ignoring the differences will only cause frustration for both you and the people you manage.

• "Traditionalists"range in age from 62-85.  They value hard work, respect, sacrifice in the work place.  For them, duty comes before fun. 
• "Baby Boomers" range in age from 43-61.  At work they value personal fulfillment, efficiency, working for a cause. 
• "Gen X’ers", age 27-42, value self-reliance, but usually need highly structured environments and direction to succeed.  Our youngest generation,
• "Gen Y", is made up of those under 26 years old.  They are extremely entrepreneurial, technologically savvy, and always asking "what’s next?"

The key to motivating people is to understand what is important to them, and then tap into those values to help them perform better in the workplace.  Many of the new managers that I work with need some help with this success principle.

If employees feel understood and appreciated for who they are and what they believe, they will go well above expectations to perform.  You will have a very happy, productive work team.  Go ahead, give it a try.

Photo from Flickr

Wisdom for Wednesdays

Professional and personal lives can be so hectic and hurried.  It is tough to know with certainty what to do and when to do it;  How to solve a problem and get the results that you really crave.

To that end, WfW was born.  This is my own little contribution to the world with bits and pieces of wisdom that I have collected, given and received over the years. 

I hope that this series will nourish both your head and your heart; and also get your brain firing on all cylinders to  Lead well, Live well, and Do well. 

WfW:

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him, his own."  -Benjamin Disraeli (1818-1881)

Whose life can you make a difference in today?