A Moment for the Team

MIKE BULLERT, Big Time Pest Control

If you’ve spent any time on a jobsite or in a team meeting lately, you already know what the research confirms: Today’s pest management workforce spans four generations. The same crew might include a Gen Z technician who grew up with smartphones, a millennial supervisor who values flexibility, a Gen X manager focused on autonomy, and a baby boomer with decades of institutional knowledge. That’s not a problem to solve. It’s one of our greatest strengths—if we lead well.

This issue of PestWorld is dedicated to the people side of running a pest management business, and I can’t think of a more important topic for our industry right now. Finding great people is hard. Keeping them is harder. And leading a team where the youngest employee might be 40 years younger than the most experienced one requires a kind of intentionality that doesn’t come automatically.

Our feature articles tackle these challenges head-on. You’ll find research-grounded insights on what motivates employees across generations and why the answers are more nuanced than the stereotypes suggest. You’ll find an honest look at leading through change, because organizational transitions are inevitable, and how leaders handle them determines whether teams come out stronger or fractured. And for those working to build their talent pipelines, our recruitment feature explores creative strategies that go beyond the job board, including partnerships with vocational programs and the military community.

At NPMA, we’re committed to giving you the resources to build strong teams at every level—from technicians entering the field to managers navigating complex transitions. Whether that’s through professional development tools, workforce programs, or the practical guidance you’ll find in these pages, we’re here to support the work you do every day.

The people in your company are your most important asset. I hope this issue gives you some new ideas for investing in them well.