Gen Y Now: Millennials and the Evolution of Leadership, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER TWOFOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY

Leaders throughout history have always had to face and overcome challenges. This is the nature of leadership. When faced with an obstacle, leaders call on their teams, advisors, instinct, and past precedent to determine the best course of action. Rarely do leaders face a challenge that has never, in some form or another, been addressed by someone else. Usually, there is some sort of past experience to draw upon. Until now.

As a leader you are faced with a very unique challenge. One that has NEVER before in history been faced by business leaders. For the first time in history, there are four generations of workers in the workforce. Four distinct generations of people who bring their own personal and generational challenges to the work world.

You may or may not be leading all four generations at the moment, but it is a near certainty that someone you interact with employs all four. As we have worked with organizations around the world, especially when we are speaking to groups, it is very rare if all four generations are not represented in the room.

As a leader, you know how much of your time and energy are spent on directing your people and dealing with the interpersonal issues that arise. You now must not only lead through the traditional “people issues,” but you must also be aware of the generational issues that exist.

Having four generations in the workplace will not go away soon. In fact, there will soon be five generations as the ...