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Q&A: Traits and Characteristics of Leaders Across the Different Generations
Hi Tammy,
I am in the process of completing my MA, Leadership and I am doing a 10 - 12 page lit review on the traits and characteristics of leaders across the different generations. Beyond that I am not sure the best way to focus the reseach paper. I see that you have done a lot of work in this area so I wanted to ask you ‘how would you narrow this down’? Would you focus on style in relation to industry or would you focus on style more in more general terms?
Thank you,
Gail
Hi Gail,
I’d suggest starting with style, or what I like to think of as the “lens” through which each generation sees the workplace. I write a lot about the lens of each generation; I think you’ll find it easy to obtain that background. I’ll also provide a list of key characteristics, below. (Note that these are U.S. characteristics; I also write about the generations in other countries, but I’m assuming you’re looking at the U.S.)
Traditionalists:
Joiners—eager to “join the world” and get a piece of the pie
Loyal to institutions
Accepting of hierarchy and rules
Accustomed to using money as a metric of success
Boomers:
Competitive
See life as a game of Musical Chairs—a zero sum world
Anti-authoritarian
Idealistic
Generation X’ers:
Self-reliant
Mistrustful of institutions
Tribal
Dedicated parents
Generation Y’s:
Immediate
Confident, upbeat and determined
Tolerant and spiritual
Family-centric
Then I’d suggest looking for articles that describe the leadership practices of various individuals of different ages and see what parallels you can observe. I wouldn’t limit myself to business applications, since many Gen Y’s may be leaders in non-profit or other environments outside corporations.
I hope that helps! Good luck with your work. I’d love to have a copy of your paper when you are through, if you’re open to sharing it.
All the best,
Tammy
Related Reading:
Collaborating in a Multi-Generational Workforce
Filed under: Comparisons Among the Generations | Published: 03/20/12
Q&A: Are Gen Xers Good Leaders for the Y Generation
What do you think the relationship would look like when a Y works for an X? Will X’ers be good leaders for the Y generation?
Regards,
Omar
Dear Omar,
I’ve found a wide range of relationships between members of Gen X and Y. In some cases, the X’ers are invigorated by the Y’s and enjoy the new ideas and “push” they bring to the workplace.
However, in many cases, I’ve found that X’ers are annoyed by Y’s. It’s important to remember that X’ers entered the workplace at a time when few people were worrying about how to keep them happy. X’ers slipped into whatever slots were available, given the large number of Boomers who had preceded them, and have had to work hard to advance. Many feel that the priority companies have placed on attracting and retaining Y’s is a bit unfair, since there was little of that thinking when they were newcomers. Many also find the Y’s unrealistic in their desires to advance, and secretly worry that the Y’s will advance right past them.
My hope is that a better understanding of why people approach work they way they do will help reduce any irritation, and allow the generations to work together more effectively. X’ers and Y’s have the potential to make a great team—for example, they both use social media and are committed to integrating it into their business activities.
I’d love to hear more about your thoughts and observations.
Best,
Tammy
Related Reading:
Generational Perspectives Can Strengthen Your Strategy
Filed under: Comparisons Among the Generations | Published: 03/07/12
Q&A: The Generations in Brazil
Hi Tammy!
I read an article on the magazine HSM Management here in Brazil where I could read also an interview you gave about Generation Y and the generation conflits in the companies nowadays.
Then I’d like you to answer one of my questions: are the situation and the results the same for this age group in emerging countries, like in Brazil? Because here these young people started working before, when they were 17 years old usually, so could this fact influence anyway?
Thanks for your attention!
Thaís
Dear Thais,
Because the generations are shaped by the events that occurred during their formative years (roughly ages 11 - 14+), they vary significantly from country to country around the world.
A summary of my research on Brazil is included, below. I hope you find it helpful.
Warmly,
Tammy
Brazil
The four generations in Brazil’s workforce today developed under conditions spanning from the Vargas dictatorship of the 1940’s, through the military coup of the 1960’s, to today’s democratic government. Under these varying political environments, young people’s early experiences with authority and views of institutions were significantly different, as were the economic opportunities they were able to pursue. They developed different attitudes toward risk, varying investment horizons, and a range of expectations toward the workplace.
During the Traditionalist’s formative years in the 1940’s and 1950’s, Vargas’ rule nationalized natural resources, created the country’s first industrialization plan, and saw the growth of small local industry. However, after his death in 1956, a rapid influx of foreign investment and capital rapidly shrank domestic industry. This generation grew up accustomed to a dominant authority, with modest expectations. Members had limited expertise or confidence in how to build a business; most were more comfortable being part of the multinational enterprises that dominated the economy after Vargas’ rule.
The economy struggled during the 1960’s and 1970’s, marked by hyperinflation. A right-wing military coup d’état expanded the executive branch’s powers, giving the leaders unchecked authority over the country’s direction and radicalizing a generation of left-wing student groups in opposition. This generation of Boomers developed idealism for a better future and an anti-authoritarian point of view, although most were cautious about expressing their true feelings. Worried about the economy and in constant fear of hyperinflation, this generation developed a short-term orientation and became excessive consumers.
The economy continued to struggle in the late 1970’s and 1980’s, resulting in strikes for higher wages. Opposition to authority became more vocal and widespread. Civilians protested to end the military government rule and demand a direct vote. In 1989, the first democratically elected president in 29 years brought free trade and privatization, although the transition was fiscally arduous. This difficult path left members of Generation X risk-adverse, with a strong sense of self-reliance and a strong commitment to their families.
From the mid-1990’s forward, Brazil’s economy has stabilized and grown. Brazil has emerged as a major player on the world stage with strengthening international relations, although charges of corruption have tainted the local government. Generation Y’s developed with excitement about participating in the global economy and proud of Brazil’s emerging international status. Although disdainful of politics, this generation is optimistic and immediate, with a desire to make things better and gain success now. Like other Gen Y’s around the world, they grew up as “digital natives,” highly comfortable with today’s technology.
Related Reading:
Filed under: Comparisons Among the Generations | Published: 01/15/11
Q&A: The Generations in Eastern Europe
I have some associates on a team that are from a few Eastern European countries. They don’t feel like they fit the “American definition” of the generations. Do you have any information on the generations of other countries?
Thanks,
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
I don’t think that the characterization of generations in the U.S. extends around the world. Generations are shaped by the events that happened during an individual’s formative years (roughly ages 11-14+). The events that were occuring in Eastern Europe over the last half century were very different from the events in the United States during this same period.
I haven’t studied most of the Eastern European countries in detail, however, I’ve included (below) a short piece on the generations in Russia that illustrates some of the differences. I hope this helps.
Warmly,
Tammy
Russia
As World War II came to an end, Russia was part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), a strict socialist society under Stalin. Conditions in the 1940s and early 1950s were extremely difficult: starvation, forced labor and ethnic persecution. The generation shaped during these years was fatalistic, enduring, and hard-working. They developed a practical attitude and became savvy about affiliating with the “right” people, always cognizant of the dominant authority of the Communist Party. After Stalin death, Khrushchev assumed power and liberalized some policies.
“Khrushchev’s Thaw” continued into the 1960s, easing life slightly. Within the country, opportunities became available for the best and brightest. The generation shaped during the 1960s and 1970s developed a strong sense of competition—the system selected who would advance educationally and politically. They saw the escalation of the Cold War, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, Brezhnev’s investments to build the country’s military-industrial complex, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Soviet Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space. This generation developed a sense of patriotism and pride at USSR’s leadership role on the world stage. The lingering scars from the trauma of the war made many women possessive mothers.
In the late 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s, President Gorbachev brought political openness and economic reforms – glasnost and perestroika – to the country. Western relations improved, the Afghanistan occupation ended. In late 1991, Gorbachev dissolved the USSR and established the Commonwealth of Independent States. Yeltsin becomes president of newly formed Russian Republic and instituted a dramatic set of free market reforms. The generation shaped during these years is independent and self-reliant, often with a sense of hyper-responsibility for caring for their parents, still struggling with the psychological aftermath of the war. This generation tends to be entrepreneurial, willing to assume risk, and eager to generate wealth quickly in the rapidly-changing economy. This is a pragmatic generation, short-term oriented and able to deal with chaotic conditions.
The events of the mid-1990s through the late 2000s were marked by a significant economic downturn through the 1990s, followed by a rapid boom in the early 2000s, creating an uneven distribution of wealth. The generation shaped during these years is optimistic for the future, sees opportunity in the more open economy, and is hard-working and willing to sacrifice work-life balance for career advancement. During these years, Prime Minister Putin centralized power in Moscow, took a hard-line stance against Chechnya’s desire for independence, and sent tanks to support Georgian-attacked separatist regions and severs diplomatic ties with Georgia. The violence, including the Beslan school massacre, left this generation feeling a sense of immediacy like many of its contemporaries around the globe.
Related Reading:
Filed under: Comparisons Among the Generations | Published: 01/15/11
Q&A: The Implications of Widely Available Information on the Generations
I enjoyed your session.
If you take your age groups and run a line down the middle. This line is “We now know the price of everything via the internet.” We know what everyone’s house cost—car, boat and everything they own is. We can also figure out about how much every one makes.
So now your example you have a promotion with relocation is skewed. I will look up and see exactly what it costs to live there during my thought process. I will also be able to study the community and know every thing about the area in minutes. I think the knowledge of the price of what everything is affecting the economy in a new way. If someone is laid off they will not relocate so quickly to an area that is doing better.
Before the internet we would go for it with confidence and make the best of it. Now we will hesitate and might not risk as much with this new information we have. I am just wondering if you think this knowledge is changing us.
Thanks
Mark
Hi Mark—
Yes, I think you are absolutely right. There’s no doubt that access to widely-available information is changing behavior. One of the key traits I list for members of Generation X is “information savvy.” By this I mean that members of this generation are far less likely to take the word of someone in authority on any topic—they will double-check it through their own channels. This applies to the cost of relocation, as you suggest, and to many other activities in the workplace, including the best way to approach a particular task, the most reputable data, and so on.
Thanks for your comment.
Warmly,
Tammy
Filed under: Comparisons Among the Generations | Published: 01/15/11
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