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Leaders Should Learn About Employees 5-9 Activities to Recruit and Retain the Best Talent
Written by Buddy Hobart on April 19th, 2010
We recently discussed 5-9 jobs and how that might look in the future. After that post, we had a great deal of discussion as to how to strategically channel that type of energy for everyone’s benefit.
I do not believe that most traditional managers would be supportive of their employees’ 5-9 efforts. Many Gen X and Boomer managers would see this (and possibly rightfully so) as a threat. Most managers would be wary of their employees’ strayed focus and commitment.
My question to these managers would be “why are your people starting 5-9 jobs?” One of the first things we talk about in Gen Y Now is the need to create understanding then awareness. My guess is that these managers would be completely unaware of the lack of interesting and meaningful work for their employees during the 9-5 jobs.
I believe that if managers really begin to understand and become more self-aware, they would be seen as “leaders.” Once these leaders understand what is going on and become more self-aware, then they would understand the need to provide interesting and meaningful work. Once this realization is made, I believe Gen Y would focus some of their 5-9 energy into their 9-5 job.
For the sake of argument, let’s say that is not true. Let’s say that many Gen Yers will continue on their 5-9 path regardless of the positive leadership shown during their 9-5 job. Now what should the leader do?
One of the cornerstones of retaining Gen Y is understanding their vision. We talked a great deal about how leaders need to understand Gen Y’s long-term vision and constantly link the organization’s long-term vision to the individual’s vision.
Many Gen Yers will be pursuing their vision with 5-9 activities. A good leader will understand this and will try to learn more about the employee’s efforts. The reality is that whether or not the manager supports the after-hour activities, the after-hour activities will still occur. It will be important for leaders not to “put their heads in the sand” and pretend it is not happening.
By learning more about the 5-9 activities, leaders will be better able to align their workforce and channel their team’s energy appropriately. Ignoring the issue will not make it go away. Understanding it, and maybe even supporting it, just might help leaders recruit and retain the best talent.
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