Managing the “Millennial” Workforce

With today’s evolving workforce, a traditional “boss” will not succeed. So says Bill Hoopes of Grass Roots Training. He spoke to contractors Nov. 12 at the Ohio Landscape Association’s WinterGreen Conference & Expo in Cleveland, Ohio.

There are 40 million “millennials” in the working world, and they have a different mindset than those in generations before them, Hoopes says.

“The mindset is ‘it’s all about me,’” Hoopes says, adding those who manage them get frustrated and say “We were not managed that way. If we were told to do something, we did it.”

That mindset needs to be adapted to be an effective manager with today’s breed of worker, Hoopes says. The keys to successful leadership include teaching instead of telling and explaining how things are done and why they’re that way. Employers should coach employees rather than act as a traditional “boss,” he says.

The coaching should start the instant an employee is hired, he says. Take the time to personally train new hires or have a trusted employee do it so he or she doesn’t become disinterested or disillusioned right off the bat.

Remember to give employees reasons to want to do quality work.

“People go to the job thinking, ‘what’s in it for me?’” Hoopes says. “Don’t allow yourself to believe they’re there to make you a success.”

Here’s a step-by-step guide to coaching employees:

• Inform each employee they’ll receive ongoing coaching and team support
• Assess each person’s individual skills and needs. “We don’t all come to the job with the same tools in the tool kit,” Hoopes says.
• Provide mandatory training and confirm learning skills before assigning tasks
• Conduct follow-up coaching on the job in realistic settings, not in the office
• Find time for one-on-ones with each employee to address any concerns and prevent problems from getting bigger. Hoopes suggests asking employees, “How are you doing and how can I help you right now?”

Other highlights of the two-day WinterGreen trade show and conference included keynotes by Ariens President Dan Ariens and JP Horizons’ Bob Coulter. Other professionals spoke as part of the show’s management, technical, design and recertification educational tracks.