It is the era of the ‘great resignation’ and the ‘great never applying in the first place’, particularly in the USA, but felt all over the world. Millennials, Gen Y, Gen Z and all the other letters of the alphabet have far more options when it comes to personal income than previous generations could imagine. The idea that you slog for a long time at a job you don’t particularly enjoy, putting on a brave face and a stiff upper lip, and soldiering on, isn’t something that many entrants to the workforce would even consider today. They are more aware of their mental & physical health, aim for work-life balance and prioritize themselves.

This workforce requires a different kind of leadership. The process-driven, cookie-cutter, standardized management of fifty years ago that treats everyone as a quantifiable resource in their designated boxes, is no longer accepted by a more emotionally intelligent staff. This is the problem with the schooling system – a one-size-fits-all solution that doesn’t prepare learners for a very varied workplace (but I’m not going to get sidetracked talking about the education system!)

It is time for individual person-centered leadership, where each person’s personality, learning styles, challenges, motivation, ways of working etc. are considered to enable them to perform their function to the best of their ability. Hybrid working, standing desks, and music in the office, are all trends that have evolved to meet the needs of individuals. Obviously, these accommodations for a variety of working styles have to be negotiated with others who are affected and have to be within reason and within what is possible for the organization.

Although knowing how each person works takes time, energy and intentionality, the benefits are worth it. As a result of feeling heard and acknowledged staff turnover and absenteeism decreases. Increased well-being and improved practices increase productivity and work output. And it’s not difficult to do. It just takes having conversations with people that initiate their introspection on what would make them more productive, listening and supporting their ideas. So go and have a chat with an employee today and find out how they work best!