How to Develop Management Trainees into Leaders with Passion and Purpose
With the development of new technologies, processes, and needs, the workplace continues to evolve. Naturally, we see talents from younger generations join the workforce and strive to contribute to their companies through their skills and knowledge.
Yet for many managers and supervisors, therein lies the rub. As senior management executives mentor younger trainees in the ways and traditions of the company, the results may not be as expected. Generational differences can create friction and communication gaps in the workplace, leading younger employees to feel unmotivated and uninspired. The result can be a lack of productivity, subpar results, and a high turnover rate.
While senior managers may chalk up the difference to the younger generations’ lack of grit and work ethic, that may not necessarily be the case. The workforce is changing. Millennial and Gen Z workers are driven by other values, qualities, and traits that mould their passion and purpose at work.
(Also read: Generation Z: A New Workplace Entrant)
What drives an employee to excel and remain satisfied with their work? Understanding the motivational factors of an employee is key to inspiring productivity, passion, and purpose. By tailoring a management trainee program that focuses on the intrinsic motivational factors of employees, a company can channel that passion towards achieving corporate goals. This can spell the difference between retaining valued members of the organisation and losing them to another company.
Igniting your management trainees’ intrinsic purpose
Dr Mike Crant, a University of Notre Dame professor known for his research on proactive behaviour in the workplace, says that determining the level of intrinsic motivation plays a large role in shaping job satisfaction.
According to a joint study by Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP), PwC, and peer coaching platform Imperative, the three characteristics of a fulfilling experience at work are relationships, impact, and growth.
Relationships
Employees motivated by relationships become happier and more fulfilled when they make meaningful connections in the workplace. They value camaraderie, collaboration, and a sense of belonging.
A 2018 study by HR advisory firm Future Workplace and digital health firm Virgin Pulse revealed that 60 per cent of respondents were more likely to stay with their company if they had friends in the workplace. This was especially true for younger employees, such as Gen Z (74%) and Millennials (69%).
Facilitate activities that forge bonds and cultivate relationships among colleagues, such as one-on-one peer coaching and informal get-togethers. Encourage open communication and make time to know trainees on a personal level.
Impact
According to a 2017 study by American Express, 62 per cent of millennials feel that it is important to be known for making a positive difference in the world. Clearly, work with purpose matters to the younger generation.
Employees driven by impact need to see a clear link between their efforts and the results. Knowing that their actions have directly contributed to an accomplished goal or objective gives them a sense of fulfilment. What they do holds meaning and makes a difference.
As your trainees rotate to different company departments, emphasise how each team’s daily tasks are aligned with the company’s vision. Share success stories of employees who made significant contributions to your organisation’s efforts.
Growth
Trainees feel job satisfaction and fulfilment when they know they can take advantage of available opportunities for development within the company. These employees look at the big picture and think long-term: where do they want to be in five years? They want to learn how they can move forward and assume a bigger role.
The key to making these employees stay with the company and hone their skills is assuring them that there are opportunities to advance and learn more from the organisation. Provide peer coaching and mentoring programmes that develop both their technical and soft skills. Introduce them to employees who have been recently promoted, allowing them to learn more about what it takes to advance in the company. Create a learning environment that encourages them to think outside of the box, express their ideas, and ask advice from their peers and senior management.
By emphasising these three elements in your training programme, you enable your trainees to discover their inner purpose--allowing them to grow into leaders that will propel your company to greater heights. They will excel in jobs that matter to them and to your business.
As younger candidates continue to join the workforce, it is more vital than ever to find the right management trainees to mould into your future leaders. Achieve recruitment success with Talent Search, one of the largest talent databases in Asia. Through AI and machine learning, Talent Search provides immediate talent recommendations once you post a job ad, allowing you to reach high-performing candidates who will grow with your organisation.
For more insights on employee motivation and expert advice on talent acquisition and talent management, visit Laws of Attraction.
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