Behavioral Viewpoint

QUESTION

 There are several well-developed management theories that can be used by managers as guidelines in executing their roles and functions. One of the most prominent theories relevant to managing people at work even in the new millennium is behavioral viewpoint. In line with this argument, discuss how adopting the behavioral viewpoint can help managers to manage three different generations commonly found in the workplace (i.e., baby boomers, gen X, and gen Y). Illustrate using an appropriate workplace example.

ANSWER

Manager need to understand their employee especially when there are different generation are working together to achieve organization objective such as baby boomers, gen X, and gen Y. Baby boomers are ambitious and goal oriented who sets out to change the world and to "withdraw" it from the battlefield. They are passionate about their work. So that, they had been characterized as "workaholics" who "live to work".

While generation X are more comfortable with technology, diversity, travel and global awareness than Boomers. They are very different compared to the baby boomers. They have been characterized as "slackers" who "work to live". They also can be described as self-contained, adaptable and independent generation.

For Generation Y, the most significant characteristic is that they do not consider computers or other electronics to be "technology." Their world are always included computers, handphones, instant message, and Internet. They are generation with high-tech environment in which they communicate face to face are less because they prefer to write, instead of pick up the phone and call. They always rely on the Internet and social media.

By implementing behavioural viewpoint, it will effectively help the manager to understand their employees which has generation gap between baby boomers, gen X, and gen Y. Behavioural viewpoint is about the study of the sense of humour and the persons mind includes all the human needs and their behaviours towards the work. The focuses are not only on the productivity but also about the needs and morals of the employees. It also will help the manager making good relations with the employees and praising them for their hard work that also can contribute to increase company and employees productivity.

Good communication with employees from different generations play a major role in solving the problem of different generational groups in one workplace after understanding the behavioural of each generation. For example, to communicated with them manager must use different method and appropriate language. Together with appropriate means of communication, such as use old-fashioned business letters and phone calls for the baby boomers. For the gen Y and gen X they are more suitable to approach by using emails, short texting and social media channels to communicate with them. This is because manager need to use method that are familiar with their employees so that the massage that need to deliver can be reach and understand by their employees without any misunderstanding. Only in this way, managers will be able to attract and retain talent from every generation and to engage them within the organization.