The millennial generation and leadership

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Age does not define a person's ability to be a leader, but the generation in which they were raised may have a substantial impact on how they lead. This is particularly evident in structural preferences and communication styles. How we interact socially tends to reflect on the cultural values and norms of the era. Communication is also affected by changes in language and the methods used for communication. However, despite generational differences in communication, there are some communication skills that are universal across the ages.
I was born in the mid-eighties, making me a member of Generation Y, also known as the millennial generation. According to Ng, Schweitzer, and Lyons (2010) members of this generation tend to put focus on individualistic aspects of a job, rapid career development, interpersonal relationships and balancing their personal and work lives. A strong leader from the millennial generation is likely to value individuality and acceptance, personal development and hands-on interaction with their team. Studies also show that they are stronger than the previous generation at adaptability and customer orientation, while they are not as well organized (Sinar, 2013).
The shift in values from one generation to the next has had an impact on how organizations operate. Many organizations were not prepared for the influx of the millennial generation and the new ideas they brought to the table. Ng et at. (2010) explain that “changing North American demographics have created a crisis in organizations as they strive to recruit and retain the millennial generation, who purportedly hold values, attitudes, and expectations that are significantly different from those of the generations of workers that preceded them” (p.1). ...

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Clark, D. (2013). Leadership. Retrieved from http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark

KUBIATKO, M. (2013). The Comparison of Different Age Groups on the Attitudes toward and the Use of ICT. Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, 13(2), 1263-1272.

Ng, E., Schweitzer, L., & Lyons, S. (2010). New Generation, Great Expectations: A Field Study of the Millennial Generation. Journal Of Business & Psychology, 25(2), 281-292. doi:10.1007/s10869-010-9159-4

Robbins, S.P., Decenzo, D.A., & Coulter, M. (2013). Fundamentals of management (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ. Prentice Hall.

Sinar, E. (2013). IS THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION READY TO LEAD?. Training, 50(4), 20. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.csuglobal.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=89045539&site=ehost-live

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