Ask Timpo: promoting young bucks

by John Timpson - Thursday, 30th August 2007 -

Good young people are like gold dust. They are capable of more than you would ever imagine. They learn quickly, think on their feet, and have the confidence to have a go at any challenge you put in front of them.

You develop talent by giving more responsibility. Don’t worry about those 50-year-olds; if your young man has the potential to be a superb people manager, he will keep even the oldest employee happy. Without doubt, you should give him the job, but there is a proviso.

Supervise him closely, and give him all the support you can muster. He will certainly learn from this experience, but don’t leave him to make mistakes without a lifeline, and certainly don’t give him a job you couldn’t do yourself: an impossible mission will destroy his confidence and kill his ambition.

Despite government claims of better GCSE results and excellent A levels, the school system still produces a wide variety of recruits from potential superstar to useless drongo. You have a gem here, and you must look after him.

Give him the freedom to get experience, but watch him carefully, and, above all, be patient. Despite his talents, he is probably a bit impetuous – just like you were at his age.

John Timpson is chief executive of Timpson. His books, including the latest, How to Be a Great Big Boss, are available from www.timpson.co.uk