Kevin Stevick is the President and CEO of SteelCraft, a Materials Manufacturing company based in Hartford, WI.
As new generations enter the workforce, they inspire a new sense of company culture and corporate leadership. The modern workplace holds drastically different values than previous eras, emphasizing compassion and communication instead of the dog-eat-dog strict approach of predecessors. To run a successful business, leaders must foster an inclusive environment where employees feel valued.
To keep up with the evolving cultural and business landscapes, we leaders must advance with the current needs of our communities and the people we employ. In earlier days, colleagues often described my style as “the bulldog” or “take-no-prisoners” approach. However, this mindset and method started to change over the years as I became more familiar with the needs of emerging workers to reach their maximum potential.
Take a compassionate approach.
Being a kind and compassionate leader with exceptional communication skills is paramount for effectively leading the current generation of workers, especially millennials and Gen Z. Exceptional leaders demonstrate empathy, not only out of moral obligation but because research has shown its connection to improved engagement, retention, mental health and more. A large part of this shift in mentality was sparked by the pandemic and the fact that we must support each other and be adaptable and resilient to navigate uncharted waters.
As I have steered my role as an industry leader, my guiding principle has always been to remember where I got started. Consider your upbringing and how it led you to your first job. Remember the struggles and challenges faced, who you relied on for support, and what resources were required to flourish.
By viewing your employees and connections with this approach, you can put yourself in their shoes to better advise, direct and collaborate to reach innovative heights. Regardless of where you started, every leader has had a manager at some point. Emulate what you enjoyed most about working for this person, which will likely carry over to those who work for you.
Communicate clearly and effectively.
Open communication is critical in any space or partnership—this element has not changed over the years. Effective communication is the foundation of success, and it’s crucial to recognize the best way to resonate with people to cultivate a productive and positive environment.
Especially in my current position as the CEO of SteelCraft, I have realized that various groups view things differently, which is why I try to communicate with younger employees slightly differently than the people in the boardroom or use differing terminology depending on the expertise of some team members compared to our long-tenured employees on the shop floor.
Leaders must seamlessly navigate conversations to keep everyone on the same page and operations running smoothly. The first step to doing this is simple: listen to your team.
Whenever you are communicating, try to understand any question or concern and attempt to respond in a similar tone. Do not risk being perceived as out-of-touch by using archaic references or some obscure pop culture tidbit—this is not only ungenuine but the person you are communicating with will likely shut you off immediately.
To connect with people and establish trust, you must act authentically, and you can do so by communicating with people in their style or level.
Show that you value your employees.
No matter the department or the employee, every person responds positively to respect, honesty and integrity. Cultivating a culture that prioritizes people can enhance business profitability and boost employee retention and overall job satisfaction.
Another excellent way to show employees that you value their dedication is by investing in them via upskilling. For example, we offer employees training, benefits and resources that serve their needs and our business needs. I’ve found this approach generates trust, boosts collaboration and inspires loyalty, keeping the workforce engaged and striving toward a joint mission.
Keep learning.
This year, I completed my master’s degree in business analytics. The program offered me some of the most excellent tools to develop my leadership skills in the contemporary workplace. It greatly influenced me by enabling me to understand the technological changes since my undergraduate years. It also put me in a pool with much younger fellow students, allowing me to see new perspectives that helped shape how I communicate and connect better with others. The experience was positive, both educationally and through the opportunity to interface with a younger generation.
My advice to other business leaders is to embrace being a lifelong learner. There are ample opportunities throughout industries, from taking new courses to attending global events to share skills and knowledge and so much more.
The crucial part of having a growth mindset is understanding that what you study is not nearly as important as taking that step to learn something new. Keeping your skills up to date makes you a better leader, giving you more wisdom and perspective to tackle problems, devise new solutions and share that insight with others. If you never embody or encourage complacency, the people you lead will aspire to take on that same approach.
Remain resilient.
Regardless of their background or role in the company, leaders must treat everyone respectfully and create diverse and inclusive spaces to remain resilient against global crises, health challenges, and changes in social values. By demonstrating kindness and compassion with open communication and support, leaders can bridge generational gaps and understand their team’s unique needs, fostering sustainable success and continued satisfaction.
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