LEADERSHIP: OF GENERATIONS X, Y AND Z

School teachers often teach - and, therefore, have to lead - students of a common age. But, most of us lead teams covering a range of ages. So, why the fixation with the leadership needs of Generation X or Y, or any other letter of the alphabet? An effective leader engages people of all ages - and types. And, I'll bet X and Y are as diverse as any group.

In fact, if what I read about them has any validity, members of these younger groups will be good at seeing (and pointing out!) unwanted categorisations. But, again it's only a matter of degree: many older employees also pick up when they’re being boxed - or conned. And, not surprisingly, react badly - and so they should.

Leadership isn't about dragging people on a journey; it's about enticing them to follow by choice, and with commitment. Their first question before signing on will be "where are we going?" Answering this brings up others: "can we do it?", "what output is required?", etc. But, critical to engagement is: "where and how do we all fit in?" Answering this builds relationships and networks linking everyone together - within your team, and to relevant people in the broader organisation.

To engage others, the first requirement is self-awareness. This enables you understand and respond to the interpersonal needs of others. Sadly, most of us have only one or a few default approaches. But these will work with some people but not all. Effectiveness requires bridging to and engaging with every member of your team - and the full diversity of people you deal with elsewhere.

If you're going to deepen relationships and hold good team members, you also need to develop them; and, delegate so they can use their learning. You need to build teamwork. And, be an ambassador for your team and the organisation.

But how do you bring all this together and integrate it with the market-driven and other demands of your role? One way is to develop a Leadership Action Plan - integrating both the hard and so-called soft issues of your leadership.

That's the sort of thing Generations X and Y expect from their leaders; and, so would any worthwhile team member - of whatever age.

Categories for this Potshot:

Champion diversity, Create goal alignment, Lift organisational will, Set operating standards, Build teams and relationships, Be EQ-effective, Develop staff and succession, Build teamwork, Act as ambassador,

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