Old School vs. New School Leaders

In today's fast-evolving corporate landscape, a fascinating interplay between 'old school' and 'new school' leaders is evident. Both come with their unique strengths and perspectives. But instead of viewing these differences as a source of conflict, we should see them as an opportunity to blend the wisdom of experience with the vigor of fresh perspectives. Let's delve into the defining traits of each group and explore how they can collaborate for optimal outcomes.

Let’s look first at the definition of an old school vs. a new school leadership perspective. This is not an all-inclusive list but some thoughts on how they might lead typically.

Old School Leaders:

1. Experience-Based Decision Making: They rely heavily on past experiences to guide future actions.

2. Hierarchical Approach: Traditional leadership often follows a top-down structure with clear chains of command.

3. Value Stability: They prioritize consistent, steady growth and tend to be risk-averse.

4. Face-to-face communication: They value in-person interactions and often make decisions in physical meetings.

New School Leaders:

1. Data-driven decision-making: They utilize analytics, metrics, and real-time data to inform decisions.

2. Collaborative Approach: They often prefer flat structures, promoting a culture of collective contribution.

3. Embrace Change: Quick to adapt, they view change as an opportunity rather than a threat.

4. Digital Natives: Comfortable with technology, they leverage digital platforms for communication and management.

Now let’s look at how leaders in general can bridge the gap for collaborative success. Here are 8 suggestions for helping everyone be on the same page.

Mutual Respect: Both sets of leaders must respect each other's strengths. Experience is invaluable, but so is the ability to adapt and innovate.

Mentorship Programs: Pairing old-school leaders with their newer counterparts can foster an environment of learning. The former can offer wisdom and insights from years in the field, while the latter can introduce new tools and strategies.

Frequent Communication: Open channels of communication ensure that both parties are aligned in their objectives. This can be achieved through regular check-ins, town halls, or team meetings.

Hybrid Decision Making: Combine experience-based instincts with data-driven insights. For instance, when evaluating a new market opportunity, old-school leaders can provide insights from past market behavior, while new-school leaders can offer current data trends.

Flexible Work Environments: Embrace both face-to-face interactions and digital communications. This can be achieved by having a blend of physical meetings and virtual collaborations.

Training Workshops: Organize sessions where new school leaders can introduce emerging technologies and tools, while old school leaders share case studies from past successes and failures.

Celebrate Diversity: Recognize and celebrate the diverse thought processes that both leadership styles bring to the table. Encourage teams to share their diverse methods and approaches.

Joint Strategy Sessions: Periodically, get both leadership styles in a room to discuss long-term vision and short-term goals. This can lead to a balanced and comprehensive strategy.

In the end, the goal is not to determine which style of leadership is superior. Instead, it's about understanding that the fusion of old and new can create a dynamic, adaptable, and resilient leadership framework. By leveraging the strengths of both old-school and new-school leaders, organizations can navigate the complexities of today's business environment with a blend of wisdom and innovation.

What have you seen in your workplace with four generations of leadership? We’d love to hear.

Best, 

Manal

How Youth Can Ascend to Leadership

The torch of leadership is inevitably passed to younger generations, and today's youth, armed with technological expertise and a fresh perspective on global challenges, are primed to take the reins. But leadership isn't just about age or being tech-savvy. It's about mindset, skills, and the ability to inspire others. Let's explore how youth can ascend into leadership ranks and the essential skills they should cultivate.

As I work with youth, I encourage them to seek opportunities early on. Young individuals should proactively look for leadership roles, whether in school clubs, community groups, or entry-level jobs. These initial experiences lay the foundation for future roles in larger settings.

Mentorship is key to the development of tomorrow’s leaders. A seasoned mentor can provide guidance, share their experiences, and help navigate the challenges of leadership. Young aspirants should seek out mentors whose leadership style they admire.

Encouragement to be an avid continual learner is vital to emerging leaders as the world is changing rapidly. 

Leaders must commit to ongoing learning. This includes formal education, workshops, seminars, and self-taught endeavors.

This formal education, workshops and seminars will help youth develop their emotional quotient (EQ)as well as their intellectual quotient (IQ). As we know, leadership isn't just about making decisions; it's about understanding and managing emotions—both one's own and others'. High EI can lead to better team cohesion and improved interpersonal dynamics.

The things youth can develop are communication skills, critical thinking, teamwork and collaboration abilities, time management, adaptability and ethical judgment abilities. 

Being able to convey ideas clearly and effectively is paramount. This includes mastering both verbal and written communication and becoming adept at public speaking. Leaders are often faced with complex challenges. The ability to assess situations from various angles and find innovative solutions is invaluable.

Leadership is as much about listening as it is about guiding. Working harmoniously with diverse teams and understanding group dynamics is crucial.

Prioritizing tasks, setting goals, and efficiently managing time are essential traits for any leader. These skills ensure projects move forward and objectives are met. In an ever-changing world, adaptability is a hallmark of effective leadership. Young leaders should be open to change and ready to pivot when necessary. True leaders lead by example, making decisions based on ethical considerations and demonstrating honesty in all actions.

Some additional skills to be built over time and with experience are networking skills, and visionary thinking.

Building and maintaining professional relationships can open doors to opportunities and collaborations. Networking is not just about taking, but also giving back and supporting others. While dealing with day-to-day tasks is essential, leaders also need to have a long-term vision. This means setting a clear direction for the future and inspiring others to join the journey.

The path to leadership for today's youth is rich with opportunities, but it demands dedication, self-awareness, and continuous growth. By proactively seeking experiences and cultivating the right skill sets, young individuals can not only rise into leadership ranks but also make lasting, positive impacts on their teams, organizations, and communities.

What youth are you mentoring right now? 

Best, 

Manal

How to be a Better Leader in Today’s Virtual World

The advent of the virtual world has transformed the traditional workspace, demanding an evolution in leadership styles and methods. In an era dominated by video calls, instant messaging, and online collaboration tools, leaders must adapt to maintain team cohesion, morale, and productivity. Here’s how you can step up your leadership game in today’s virtual world.

Here are some of my thoughts on how to be a better leader in today’s virtual world. 

Embracing the right technology is a gift you can give your team. Equip your team with the best tools. Whether it’s Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Slack, ensure everyone has access to, and understands how to use, the platforms chosen.    Regularly update software and address technical glitches promptly. A smooth virtual environment is as essential as a well-maintained physical office.

Over-communicate as virtual environments lack many of the casual communication moments we take for granted in physical spaces. Share clear objectives, feedback, and updates. Use written summaries after meetings to reiterate key points.

Establish clear boundaries by respecting time zones and personal time. Just because someone is online doesn’t mean they’re on the clock. Encourage regular breaks to combat virtual fatigue.

Foster inclusivity by ensuring that everyone, regardless of location or rank or title, has an opportunity to speak and contribute in meetings. Recognize contributions and give credit where it's due.

Prioritize emotional intelligence. With limited non-verbal cues, tuning into the emotional and mental well-being of team members is crucial.  Regularly check in on your team, not just about work but also about their overall well-being.

Create virtual bonding opportunities by organizing Zoom calls, virtual team-building exercises, coffee breaks, or book clubs. These informal settings can help bridge the connection gap.

Stay adaptable. The virtual world is continuously evolving. Stay updated with new tools and practices, and be willing to adjust strategies as needed.

Set and manage expectations. Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and deadlines. This clarity will prevent misunderstandings and ensure everyone is aligned.

Invest in professional development! You know I am a fan of this. Offer online training sessions, webinars, or workshops. This not only enhances skills but also demonstrates that you value your team's growth.

Lead with empathy always!  Remember that everyone is navigating the challenges of the virtual world, often coupled with personal stresses. Patience, understanding, and compassion will go a long way.

Promote a healthy work-life balance. Encourage your team to have dedicated workspaces and set work hours. This can help maintain a distinction between 'work mode' and 'home mode'.

Seek feedback continually. The virtual workspace is new for many, and everyone’s experience will differ. Regularly solicit feedback to understand what’s working and what isn’t.

The shift to a virtual world poses challenges, but it also presents opportunities. Leaders who adapt, show resilience, and leverage the strengths of virtual platforms will not only survive but thrive in this new environment. By embracing change and leading with empathy and clarity, you can ensure that your team remains cohesive, engaged, and productive, no matter where they log in from.

I’d love to hear what you are doing.

Best, 

Manal