Leadership Challenges, Part One

Someone recently asked me, “What are the common interpersonal and generational errors that leaders should avoid when managing a team?”. That is a huge question. However, after some thinking, I came up with four challenges that a new leader often faces:

1. Understanding how cultural differences impact a team

2. Using the Golden Rule

3. Learning to lead vs. manage

4. Learning the 80/20 rule

Let’s talk about #1, understanding how cultural differences impact a team. Diverse teams bring new ideas, unique perspectives and paradigm shifts to a project. They also can bring disharmony and conflict, if not managed correctly. Diversity can include many things, including generational diversity.

There are currently 4 generations in the workforce, each with their own personality, values and language. It is important to understand the generational differences and leverage each generation’s strengths. Many people ask about Generation Y, or Millennials, born between 1981-2000. Here is some background on them:

-Generally, Gen Y professionals are confident individuals. This stems from growing up in a positive environment with parents and teachers enthusiastically encouraging them to “be all you can be,” and assuring them that they have the potential to do anything they want professionally and personally. Therefore, Gen Y expects a lot from their employers.

-They are fast and savvy on computers. They may look down on older colleagues as luddites in terms of technology, without recognizing the skills that older colleagues have.

-They may not see the value in writing complete, grammatically correct sentences in internal emails.

-They may not have the same respect for office attire as an older colleague; they may also sport piercings and visible tattoos in the office. A general belief is that “the type of clothes I wear to the office will not affect the quality of my work.” Yet, older colleagues may take casual dress as an affront.

-They may address people, especially elders, more casually.

-They may expect to have more time for personal things – like the gym or long lunches.

-They are hard working and dedicated, if they are presented with challenging tasks and a measure of responsibility.

So how do you work with them? Here are some quick tips:

-Engage them as much as possible in an interactive way.

-Give consistent, regular feedback.

-Ask them to help find global practices that could solve a problem.

-Clearly explain expectations around the office. Gen Y are not intentionally disrespectful; they simply come from another “culture.”

-Gen Y works well in teams. Because they work fast, it’s important to have people checking each other’s work to ensure accuracy and next steps.

It’s important to recognize the challenges a new leader faces, and help them succeed. One of these challenges will be cultural diversity in all of its forms, not just generationally. My next blogs will cover the next challenge, using the Golden Rule. Stay tuned!