Five Generational Differences Shaping Leadership

Our youngest leaders matured in the glow of computer screens; our oldest in the shadow of the Depression and World War II. (Bennis & Thomas, 2002)

An interesting article that explains some of the reasons why our traditional approaches to leadership no longer work.

"For Generations X and Y, the old command and control leadership is passé. The top down leadership style that grew from a military model is not effective in today’s world of rapid change. Today’s young leaders act first and evaluate later, because a leader cannot afford to carefully evaluate first in the high-speed environment of today.

"This rapid response decision-making is a characteristic of today’s young people. They have been taught to act fast. Consider the video games young people have grown up with. They have played with simulations since they were very small, and have learned to act fast, watch what happens, and adapt. I remember a very early game my children played where a frog had to hop across the river without falling in the water or being eaten by the alligators. Do you remember Frogger?"