Leadership Update - The Gen Y Challenge

For many of us, change can rock our world. But spare a thought for the younger employees who are part of your team or organisation... for them, change can be seismic!

While it is not necessarily a generational factor, people who have joined the workforce in the last ten years are likely to struggle the most as organisations change, downsize or re-structure.

Most of this group are Generation Y (aged 30 years and under). Work has been part of their lives since an early age, with New Zealand statistics showing that more than 80% of under-25-year-olds have had paid positions since the age of 15. Many started by flipping burgers or stocking supermarket shelves, and as a result this generation has developed clear expectations about their employment and the leadership style they need when they enter the 'real' workforce.

Gen Y has a distinct outlook and approach to business:

They are used to a New Zealand environment of full employment
Changing jobs with ease has not been a problem... it is almost the norm
They expect to be consulted every step of the way and expect to have their views taken on board
They are seeking constant feedback, but at the same time many seem over-confident
They are more loyal to the leaders than to the organisation or the brand
This generation has higher debt levels than any other

For older managers who worked through the late 80s to mid-90s, there is experience to draw from. Similarities between that period and the current economic situation mean that to some extent, they've been here before. But for Gen Y, this is foreign territory. So they need your support as their leader, and you need to be intentional in how you relate with them.

Help them move from denial to accept the reality
Appreciate that they have a different world view
Acknowledge that this scale of change is new and scary for them
Work with this "Two Minute Noodle" generation to help them accept that change takes time... there are no quick answers
Remember, they will be more loyal to you than to the organisation

Do you want to be able to help Gen Y through change? For more information about Nexus Partners' leadership programmes, email us or call on 0800 4 LEADERS. More information is also available here.