Effectively Training Generation X & Y Leaders - Nu Leadership Series

"It's odd that you can get so anesthetized by21st Century," Hill and Stephens suggest that this
your own pain or your own problem that youEmergent-Workforce Leader must offer a
don't quite fully share the hell of someone close toparticipative, democratic environment for this
you."cross-generational workforce. Based on the values
Lady Bird Johnsonsubscribed to by this Emergent Workforce, I
What will happen will the Baby Boomers retire?theorize that this new leadership model will
Let's explore the issues with leading this Emergentencompass transformational leadership and
Workforce, primarily Generation X-Y. Some criticservant leadership. Therefore, if organizational
may argue that my warning is premature.leaders demonstrate these values, then future
Organizations have always weathered the culturalleaders will gain support from this Emergent
storms. Don't follow any of these managementWorkforce. If you don't, all "Hell" may break lose.
fads. This is no fad, Leader! Here's the problem.Don't lose this competitive advantage. Start today!
The current organization promotes a "top-down"Draft, organizational guru, argues, however, that
leadership approach, which elevates technologyorganizational change will only occur when
while devaluing employees. Bennis, a leadershipmanagers see a gap between actual and desired
expert, argues that although management claimsperformance. Will outright employee rebellion be
they are for worker empowerment, it smells ofthe only method to change this leadership
rhetoric. The current workforce desires aparadigm?
paradigm shift but lacks the power to implementReferences:
change.Bennis, W. (1999). The End of Leadership:
In contrast, Generation X-Y employees desireExemplary Leadership is Impossible Without Full
certain organizational values. I've heard businessInclusion, Initiatives, and Cooperation of Followers.
owners complain about young people leaving jobsOrganizational Dynamics. 28(1), 71-80.
because they were unhappy. Most traditionalDraft, R. (1995). Organizational Theory and Design.
managers simply cannot understand this mentality.St. Paul, MN: West Publishing Company.
The Emergent Workforce will not be so passive.Hill, R. and Stephens, D. (2003). The
They will not accept being invisible or "doing asCompassionate Organization in the 21st Century.
you are told, kid." These divergent viewpointsOrganizational Dynamics 32(1), 331-341.
create a crisis for organizational leaders. In the© 2006 by Daryl D.
article, "The Compassionate Organization in the