I am an Xer who manages a small but crucial team at my workplace (in an EU country). I had a lady resign last week, and I have another who may be about to resign or I may have to let go due to low engagement. They are both Gen Z. Today it hit me: the five years I’ve been managing this department, the only people I’ve lost have been from Gen Z. Clearly I do not know how to manage Gen Z so that they are happy working here. What can I do? I want them to be as happy as my Millennial team members. One detail that might matter is that my team is spread over three European cities.
Happy to provide any clarification if anyone wants it.
Edit. Thanks for all the answers even if a few of them are difficult to hear (and a few were oddly angry?) This has been very helpful for me, much more so than it probably would have been at the Old Place.
Also the second lady I mentioned who might quit or I might have to let go? She quit the day after I posted this giving a week’s notice yesterday. My team is fully supportive, but it’s going to be a rough couple of months.
I’m not sure if it counts but I regularly send positive feedback on my colleagues to my higher ups, mostly unprompted.
I’m not very knowledgeable or impressive in any way so I couldn’t mentor or help anyone really, but the least I can do is give them a push in the right direction even if it doesn’t affect me in the long run.
I’ve trained quite a few newcomers who have since risen above me in rank.
Of all the actions a person can do that lend itself towards engendering compassion, empathy or altruism there is none more so than effort.
Whatever you’re doing, even if you don’t know it all, even if it isn’t the best, simply make sure it looks like you care.
Small things. Like putting a potted lavender outside your front door, or whatever. It shows your attention to detail that primarily effects other people. It makes you approachable. It’s the difference between your neighbors knocking on your door when your too loud or them filing a complaint or calling the police, both of which could have ramifications down the line.
It’s a soft skill, sure, but it greases so many wheels I can’t even begin to detail.
My yard is kept tidy. It’s not finished, sculpted, or anything much special. But it’s on purpose. Not always clean, I usually have some construction or project I’m working on, but that’s always temporary. Im generally reclusive. I’d rather build my stuff and sell what Ive made or build for someone else and be left alone. But I’m always offering to help everyone with their projects. Rarely taken up, but like clockwork, I always extend help.
My obvious display of care over what’s under my supervision is, honestly, defensive. I get the benefit of the doubt. My neighbors don’t sick code enforcement on me, regardless of what I’m doing (which is all within code regardless, but county given the call will come out, Everytime.)
Again, it’s a soft skill. A subtle thing, but it’ll help you stand out, unconsciously at the very least.