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Jul 24, 2024
Hey there, millennial managers!
If you're anything like me, juggling the demands of managing a team while staying true to your anti-hustle mindset can be quite the balancing act.
So, let’s dive into the top five challenges we’re all facing and how we can tackle them head-on without getting buried in busywork.
1. Overcoming the busywork illusion
Busywork is like the flu—it’s annoying, saps your energy, and seems to spread everywhere. Remember the days when staying late was seen as a badge of honor? Well, we’ve gone remote, and the real heroes are those who can distinguish between busywork and meaningful work. As managers, our job is to cut through the noise.
Pro tip: Advocate for less busywork by having open conversations with your team and those you report into. Prioritize tasks that drive outcomes. And, encourage your team to voice their opinions on how streamlining work or eliminating tasks that don’t add value.
2. Automating the boring stuff
AI, baby! It’s not just for sci-fi movies anymore. We’re talking about using AI to automate those mind-numbing tasks like scheduling meetings, document creation and formatting, and synthesizing data. Imagine having more time to strategize and less time filling out excel.
Pro tip: Here’s a list of AI tools beyond ChatGPT that will help with all those repetitive tasks. Trust me, your future self will thank you.
3. Navigating remote and hybrid work environments
Remote work is here to stay, and with it comes the challenge of keeping teams connected and motivated. It’s not just about Zoom calls and Slack messages; it’s about fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration.
Pro tip: Create virtual water cooler moments. Try team-building apps and schedule regular check-ins. Also, encourage your team to take breaks—burnout is the enemy of productivity.
4. Delivering constructive feedback
Giving feedback is an art, especially when you can’t just pop into someone’s office for a quick chat. Millennials value transparency and growth, so our feedback needs to be timely, constructive, and actionable.
Pro tip: Use tools that facilitate feedback. Platforms like Textio Lift can help maintain an ongoing dialogue with your team. Remember, feedback isn’t a one-time event; it’s a continuous conversation.
5. Balancing professional and personal life
We’re the generation that values work-life balance, yet we often find ourselves blending the two. The key is to foster the type of culture that respects and promotes boundary setting.
Pro tip: Encourage your team to set clear boundaries around their work schedules. Consider blocking one day out of the week for no meetings so that your team has time to brainstorm and work in chunks of time so that they aren’t working after days filled with meetings.
Lead by example: Be sure to unplug after hours, avoid sending non-urgent emails at night. Your actions will set the tone for your team, showing them it’s important to disconnect and recharge.
It’s not about being busy; it’s about being effective. Automate the boring stuff, foster genuine connections, and create a work environment where we and our teams can thrive.
And remember, stay strong and stay anti-busy.
