Paradigm Shift in Management Styles: Meeting the Expectations of New Generation Workers

Companies are being encouraged to make a paradigm shift in their management style in order to meet expectations of the new generation of workers entering the work force.

Founder and managing director of the HR consulting firm Caribbean Catalyst Inc., Ros Jackson this week reminded companies they were in a new phase in which the young generation of workers was entering the work force with a different outlook. She suggested a change in strategy that would respond accordingly and ultimately contribute to future growth of the company.

Sharing the findings of a LITE (leadership to improve talent excellence) survey carried out by Caribbean Catalyst Inc., in which 20 companies participated, Jackson told those attending the breakfast meeting at Hilton Barbados that her company had done a “lot of research around what is driving new, young talent to want to work with an organisation”.

She explained the purpose was to explore “how are you purposefully and intentionally leading; to building a culture that takes you into the future . . . and to really get companies to understand what their people think of them in these fundamental behavioural leadership change areas and what can they do to improve it?”

Five companies with the most impressive survey responses, which were selected from among survey participants, were highlighted at this week’s event. Jackson explained three of those companies were selected based on “their best practices” as revealed in the survey, while the other two were selected “on the basis of the significant progress they have made”.

The five selected companies were SigniaGlobe Financial Group Inc.; Pirates Inn Barbados; JP Marshall Associates (Trinidad and Tobago); Chancery Chambers and Ready Mix & Ready Block Barbados. Principals from these companies showcased their best practices in brief interviews with representatives of Caribbean Catalyst Inc.

Jackson shared that the survey found that “people want purpose in their work”. She warned that “the job for life mentality does not exist” with the generation in question.

“We need to stop trying to hold on to people when they want to go somewhere else; or just throw more money at people, rather than treat them properly,” she said.

The survey also looked at values and Jackson advocated mutual respect and clear and purposeful communication with employees. She also touted fairness in the treatment of employees. “We have to understand what people are bringing to the table and how we treat with them to get the best of them, and when we are treating people fairly, then we can hold them accountable and that accountability will lead us to better success,” Jackson said.