Tips For Leading A Multigenerational Team

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Employees representing different generations often do not agree on many subjects and ideologies. However, occasionally, individuals of varying ages need to work in conjunction to perform certain tasks or complete specific projects. Leading a team of persons comprised of the old, young and middle-aged can prove challenging. However, the task might be easier provided the leader adheres to the following suggestions:

Do Not Assume

Executives overseeing multigenerational employees are strongly cautioned to avoid rendering preconceived assumptions. Age differences amongst employees does not guarantee that staff members are incapable of working together. Leaders should allow relationships to develop and execute adjustments when circumstances warrant.

Embrace Differences

Effective employers of multigenerational staffs will encourage the embracement of differences. Employees, like people in general, are different. Reputable leaders realize that the differences people possess can prove valuable in any number of ways. Effective executives will also convince staff members to accept each other’s differences for the good of the team.

Establish Common Ground

Everyone possess differences and similarities. Unfortunately, however, the discrepancies are typically the viewpoints that garner the most attention. Successful multigenerational team leaders will instead focus on establishing common ground. There is a good chance that all employees share similar aims such as the desire to perform well, reaching specific goals, being part of a successful team and advancing in their careers. Executives who foster an environment where these commonalities are stressed stand a greater possibility of helping individuals of varying ages see past their differences and demonstrate a willingness to work together.

Promote Communication

It is understandable that frustration and confusion might develop amongst groups comprising different ages and other backgrounds. That said, effective leaders will foster an environment where communication is encouraged. In many instances, providing employees a forum to voice their concerns brings festering issues to the forefront but also increases the possibility of identifying viable solutions to such issues. On a simpler scale, communication is often the first step to forging relationships, especially amongst people with differing backgrounds.

Respect The Contributions Of All Parties

Many people, successful leaders included, might fall into the trap of valuing one employee’s contributions over another. For example, an older superior might trust the word and opinion of seasoned employees more than younger staff members. Such actions could precipitate resentment and greater divide. This potentially harmful pitfall can be avoided by valuing everyone’s contributions.

Handle Entrepreneurial Stress like a Professional

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geoffrey-byruch-stressIn being an entrepreneur, you have to learn to juggle many different ideas, projects, and tasks all at the same time. This must all be done while you are also trying to build up your own company and create success within your business. One of the significant issues that come into play when entrepreneurs are dealing with multiple things at one time is stress.

Stress is something that hits us all in different ways when we have too much on our plate. The way we handle stress is essential to whether we are successful or not. Not managing your stress can lend itself to a great deal of failure in the entrepreneurial world, and your business will suffer because of it.

Understanding the effects of stress and what causes stress are the first steps to success and also healthily dealing with stress. When you are stressed, your mind automatically begins to think negatively and therefore, shuts down the possibilities of innovation and utilizing your brain to its full capacity. The best thing you can do is realize you are indeed stressed and make a choice to think positively with a small amount of stress. This way, you will continue making plans and ideas that will push yourself and your company forward.

Another way to handle your stress is by removing unnecessary worry. A lot of times, entrepreneurs and business leaders take on a lot at once, and many times, they worry about things that are out of their control. Take the time to make a list of everything that is currently on your mind and stressing you out. Then go through and either delegate things to others or shift your focus from the things that aren’t yours to handle to the issues you can personally deal with.

Instead of continuing to take on project after project or even more clients than your company can handle, just to grow your business, only take on what you can complete right now. If your business is not ready for the influx of clients, then do not take the extra work onto your plate. The same goes for projects. Learn to delegate and take work off of your plate and give it to others who have the extra time to do it. This removes the continued downward spiral of work piling up on top of the work that is already there. It will also help to remove that stress for you.