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Are You an Effective Leader of Generation Next?

As many of you know, for the past few years I have been an avid researcher on issues and topics related to Generation Y (those born between 1977-1994), and I have listened to many different perspectives from men and women who serve as experts on generational issues within the workplace. Although I believe this generational workplace discussion is vitally important, one of the key solutions to many of these generational problems within the workplace is effective leadership. In essence, I believe that seasoned leaders who understand how to effectively influence, lead, and develop leaders of this younger generation will not only solve many workplace issues among different generations, but they will create more effective and powerful companies and organizations as well.

Ironically, after researching, reading, and listening to numerous generational experts, I realized that very few of these experts seem to be aware of the importance of seasoned leaders being able to effectively influence, lead, and develop leaders of Generation Y. As I discuss in my latest leadership book on this subject, A Call to Action, 14 Highly Effective Principles for Leaders of Millennials,I believe that there are four key leadership concepts that all leaders of this younger generation must possess in order to become highly effective at influencing, leading, and developing leaders of this younger generation in America. Here is a brief glimpse into these four leadership concepts that I strongly believe all leaders must possess in order to be successful with this emerging generation in America.

Leadership Principle #1
Leaders of Generation Y Must Be Ethical

If there was one leadership concept that I believe is truly vital for today's leaders to understand and practice when interacting with Generation Y employees, it would be ethical leadership, which I define as a leader who leads with values such as integrity, honesty, equality, fairness, and compassion for others. The reason why I feel so strongly about this leadership concept is because not only do members of Generation Y value this aspect of leadership highly, but I have seen organizations and companies run into problems because of unethical leadership. As a leader of Generation Y, make sure you are an ethical leader!

Leadership Principle #2
Leaders of Generation Y Must Adopt the Servant Leadership Model

If there was any major shift that today's leaders need to make within their organizations and companies across the country when working with members of Generation Y, it would be the adoption of a servant leadership model. The servant leadership model consists of leaders caring about their employees, being willing to make sacrifices for their employees, listening to their employees, desiring to better their employees, and leading from the standpoint of a servant rather than a high and mighty ruler that everyone in the workplace is actually scared to interact with on the job. Until seasoned leaders of Generation Y adopt this leadership style in the workplace, they will continue to talk about common problems with this younger generation and will have a very difficult time influencing, leading, and developing leaders of Generation Y.

Leadership Principle #3
Leaders of Generation Y Must Be Inspirational

When you think about the 2008 presidential election, one of the main reasons why President Obama became the first African-American President of the United States was because he was able to inspire the youth of America. In essence, he was able to motivate, encourage, and challenge them to make history. Like President Obama, if any leader desires to be truly effective with the men and women of Generation Y, they must be inspirational leaders who are able to motivate, encourage, and challenge their employees on a daily basis to become the best that they can be. One of the main reasons why this leadership strategy is so important is because studies have shown that 80% of Generation Y desire one day to make an impact in the world!

Leadership Principle #4
Leaders of Generation Y Must Be Exceptional Team Leaders

The final key leadership concept that I truly believe all of today's leaders who desire to be effective with this emerging Generation Y in America must possess is exceptional team leadership skills. Personally, I believe a leader who possesses exceptional team leadership skills is a person that has a vision, is effective at bringing different people together for a common cause, is effective at selecting the right people and positioning them to succeed, and has the ability to develop future leaders to carry out their tasks when they are away from the job. This concept is very important because studies have shown that men and women of Generation Y have a stronger desire to work in teams verses working independently.

There are many other leadership concepts that all successful leaders must possess, but if a seasoned leader is effective at applying these key leadership strategies, I believe they will be effective at influencing, leading, and developing leaders of Generation Y.