7 qualities tomorrow’s leaders want in today’s leaders

The great generational divide is more easily jumped once today’s leaders understand what the younger generation is looking for, and expecting from, their leadership. Supervisors and peers that display these qualities will find it easy to gain employee engagement, dedication, and lifelong friends.

1.     Social skills.

A leader must be kind, understanding, and empathetic. They must be able to relate effectively to the people they seek to lead. Relationships are more important in business than at any time in the past. No longer will employees work for someone who has an attitude of “I'm the boss, do what I say.” They want, and will work hard for, someone who will relate to them on their level.

2.     Hands-on approach.

Leaders must lead Generation Y by example. Rolling up your sleeves and pitching in is a sure-fire way to gain the respect and productivity of tomorrow's leaders. You do not have to become one of the workers on a permanent basis -- you simply need to show them you care enough to help out at the start of a new process, or during peak periods.

One important side note is that they do not expect you to be as efficient as they are at doing the job. This generation understands the role of leadership is different from the day-to-day execution of work tasks.

3.     Deal with stress. 

A leader must stay calm in difficult situations. You do not have all the answers, but you must remain under emotional control in stressful situations.

4.     Communicate. 

Great leaders connect people with their vision through effective communication. If you keep Generation Y in the dark about certain aspects of the business, they will not view you as a partner in achieving goals.

5.     Listen. 

To lead, one must hear what the followers are saying. Listen to their words and body language every time they talk. They will indirectly tell you when they feel you're taking the wrong course. This is your cue to either change course or to clarify the goal.

6.     Exude confidence. 

Leaders need to believe in what they say and do. Believe in your mission and vision statements. Have full confidence in your organization and its goals -- but be realistic and setting and monitoring those goals.

7.     Ethical. 

Leaders need to be worthy of trust. Generation Y is extremely ethical. They will not respect you if you adopt the old attitude of “do as I say not as I do.” Today they want to see you do exactly as you tell them to do. This will create lifelong loyalty bonds.

This is an excerpt from “Life’s Leadership Lessons” a collection of 53 anecdotal leadership lessons, each with an anecdote and the application of the topic in your everyday life. It is designed for use in weekly staff meetings or for personal development.

About the author:

Rick Weaver has half a century’s experience in leadership development in retailing. He founded Max Impact Corporation, a leadership and business development consultancy company in 2002. His major accomplishments include working himself from stock clerk to director at a Fortune 50 retail chain and building a $40MM+ construction company in under 5 years. Today Max Impact offers staffing services as a franchisee of Patrice & Associates providing Executive Search, Management Recruiting, and Contract Staffing services.