The Management Tip of the Day from Harvard Business Review

 

December 10, 2014 To Retain Gen Xers, Put Them in Charge Many employers are at risk of losing some of their most valuable talent – Gen Xers. Now in their late 30s and 40s, Xers make up the bench strength for management. Xers are frustrated because their career progress has been blocked by Boomers who won't retire and impatient Millennials who want to jump ahead. If you want to retain these talented and experienced workers, consider these steps: Put them in charge. Gen Xers value having control over their work. They're highly self-reliant and work well in situations where conditions are constantly changing. Placing them in charge of high-visibility projects is a way to spotlight their abilities. Show them the route to the top. Offer mentoring and sponsorship programs that match mid-level managers with senior-level executives. These opportunities help them develop important relationships. Offer flexibility. Extreme jobs – 60-hour workweeks, unpredictable schedules, and tight deadlines – are the norm for Gen X. Consider offering more flexible work arrangements. Adapted from “4 Ways to Retain Gen Xers” by Sylvia Ann Hewlett.

BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials | HBR's 10 Must Reads Ebook Boxed Set | HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations Ebook + Video Case Study | HBR Guide to Better Business Writing | HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done

FEATURED PRODUCT HBR Guide to Office Politics HBR Paperback Series EVERY ORGANIZATION HAS ITS SHARE OF POLITICAL DRAMA: Personalities clash. Agendas compete. Turf wars erupt. It can make you crazy if you’re trying to keep your head down and get your job done. The problem is, you can’t just keep your head down. You need to work productively with your colleagues—even difficult ones—for the good of your organization and your career. How can you do that without compromising your personal values? By acknowledging that power dynamics and unwritten rules exist—and constructively navigating them. “Politics” needn’t be a dirty word. You can succeed at work without being a power grabber or a corporate climber. Instead you’ll cultivate a political strategy that’s authentic to you. You’ll learn how to: Gain influence without losing your integrity; Contend with backstabbers and bullies; Work through tough conversations; Manage tensions when resources are scarce; Get your share of choice assignments; Accept that not all conflict is bad. Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, from a source you trust. Buy Now

FEATURED PRODUCT HBR Guide to Building Your Business Case Ebook + Tools HBR Press Book This enhanced ebook version of the HBR Guide to Building Your Business Case includes downloadable tools and templates to help you get started on your own case right away. You've got a great idea that will increase profitability or productivity – but how do you get approval for the budget and resources to make it happen? By building a business case that clearly shows your idea's value. Available exclusively through HBR.org. Buy Now

ADVERTISEMENT

HBR.ORG | THE MAGAZINE | TOPICS | BOOKS | CASES | STORE | SUBSCRIBE TO HBR UNSUBSCRIBE | NEWSLETTERS PRIVACY POLICY | CONTACT Copyright © 2014 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing 60 Harvard Way Boston, MA 02163 CUSTOMER SERVICE: 800-545-7685 (US/Canada) 1-617-783-7600 (outside the U.S. and Canada)