Generational Truth for Leaders

 

For the first time in American history, we have five generations working and collaborating in the same workforce. Leading people the way they need to be led has never been more important. 

To lead in today’s world, you must know where your team is at before you can guide and lead them to somewhere new. This means you need to understand each motive and, core values of each generation. 

Today’s leader who does not do this will simply lose influence with their team. You’ll find disinterested followers under your guidance. So I put together a quick road map of the five generations to help guide you to being the best leader you can be right now.

For your team that was born between 1928 and 1945, they are in what is called the Greatest Generation sometimes referred to as the Silent Generation too. Their values consist of hard work, conformity, and working together for the common good. Their communication is more direct and formal. They prefer a letter, email, or face-to-face communication. They want clear goals and objectives for meeting them. Invite these people to share their wisdom and mentor others.

Next, we go to those born between 1946 and 1964, known as the Baby Boomers. They are optimistic but have a defined sense of right and wrong. They prefer you to communicate with them personally. Like the generation before them, they also want to measure results but want freedom in how they get to the end result. For you, let them do it their way while monitoring and verifying progress. 

Generation X was born between 1965 and 1980. They are highly entrepreneurial and perhaps not as loyal as the previous generations. To communicate with them, communicate directly but give room for their input. They want to know what is going on and how they fit into the larger picture. They value work but also have involvement in human rights and the community. 

Between 1981 and 1997, Generation Y (or Millennials) were born. They believe in success, want clear measurements of progress or failure, and prefer direct, meaningful feedback. However, they prefer to communicate through text or social media. Millennials are even more interested than their parents in making a difference and adding value globally. They need to know that what they are doing matters. They value work/life balance more than any other generation. 

Born after 1997, is a fully-fledged digital and mobile technology Generation Z. They are expected to have 12-15 jobs in their lifetime. They want to know how they fit into the bigger picture, how their work matters, and how to make a difference for good - environmentally or globally. They are amazing at teamwork and collaboration. 

Your job as the leader is to be intentional, deliberate and to connect with your teams of people, regardless of the generation they come from. 

Best, 

Manal