JULY 2025AUTOTECHOUTLOOK.COM9their motivation.The less experienced, often younger technical professionals share certain aspects of the factors that motivate the more experienced technical professionals, but there are some unique differences. Back to communication... while the more experienced technical professional is more forward with their request for a challenge or an opportunity, the younger, less experienced technical professional is often not as confident in approaching their Leader with this request. This puts more responsibility on the Leader to understand that this need exists and to engage the younger, less experienced technical professional to understand what their needs are. As in the case of the more experienced technical professional, there are also several ways that the less experienced, younger technical professional is motivated. One way is through recognition for their participation in projects. While the `team', comprised of a variety of disciplines and experience levels, completes the project, we must acknowledge the value of the younger, less experienced technical professional. They want the affirmation that their role in the project was important and that their ideas were heard and valued. Another way to motivate the less experienced technical professional is to provide growth opportunities within their role. Trusting them in decision making, providing leadership opportunities in a project context or on a micro level when performing group tasks, or allowing them to implement technological advancements that may have uncertain outcomes are some of the ways they can grow and be motivated. As leaders, we need to allow for mistakes to be made in a controlled context, for implemented technology to not work out the way it was thought to work out and again, just as in the case of the more experienced technical professional, to invite and encourage creativity that may have unexpected outcomes. A final comment... whether leading a more experienced technical professional or a less experienced, younger, technical professional, the fundamentals of respect and appreciation are the same. Saying `thank you' for a regular daily task, expressing appreciation for a job well done for a regularly occurring assignment, and, in the case of a special project or unique opportunity, asking for feedback from the technical professional and listening. These basic communication fundamentals are key to a healthy Leader-Employee relationship and in addition to the points mentioned above, result in a more motivated technical professional. Whether leading a more experienced technical professional or a less experienced, younger, technical professional, the fundamentals of respect and appreciation are the same
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