Millennials, Gen X, Baby Boomers: we’re living in a world of diverse personalities. It’s likely that your organization employs a mix of these three groups. Managing a complicated workforce is a skill that takes time to hone. To be an exemplary leader, you’ll need to understand your people and identify their needs in order to manage your team effectively.
The Generation Gap
The construction industry employs many different kinds of people, but often each generation has an overall mentality on how they execute their work. Each individual has a different work style, of course, but there are general themes among each generation. Millennials, aged 18-32, are often known for their tech-savvy reputation and emphasize work-life balance. Gen X, those that are 33-47, tend to be great at independent leadership but lack some cooperation abilities. Baby boomers, 48-62, have decades of experience but may lack insight on the newest tricks of the trade. It’s likely you’ve got at least a few of each on your team. So how can you ensure a cooperative and productive atmosphere?
Hands-On Teamwork
Create a “task force” comprised of workers of all ages for tough construction projects. Construction workers will perform best when they can throw their weight behind a hands-on project. Whether it’s commercial or residential development or simply an inventory overhaul, use your task force to show your workers that they can benefit from others by learning their work style. Younger workers will learn necessary skills from seasoned veterans in the field and will be able to apply these abilities to other aspects of their job. Additionally, the rookies can teach others new insights they’ve just learned from training or help inspire others to embrace new construction technology, from inventory software to augmented/virtual reality tech.
Encourage Rapport
Construction is a tough business: more than anything else, you need your employees to be able to trust one another. This starts with a basic rapport on site, or back at the office. As a project manager or task leader, you should encourage staff to stay focused on the task at hand, but encourage some socialization when appropriate. If team members can’t be friendly and relate to their coworkers, it’s less likely they’ll be able to work together effectively. Consider a company picnic to improve morale, or even icebreaker activities when new employees are hired. Think of your workers as a family, or a tight-knit group that can depend on each other. You may see an increase in productivity when workers are amicable and trusting because they can count on their people to follow through and get the job done.
You’ve mastered the art of cooperative team-building, now you can kick it into high gear by expanding your staff. Looking to add more talented members to your productive team? Try utilizing the services of a top staffing agency like CCS Construction Staffing. If you’re seeking qualified workers for your team, contact us today.