Changing of Guards



Frankly, I do not envy leaders of today. There are so many challenges confronting the competitive eco-system that they compete in. Today, successful leaders have to be very knowledgeable and also very "multi-skilled" and hence "multi-tasked".

Having to "multi-skill" means they have to be hungry to new learning and skills. In other words, they have to be able to perform and have further capacity, energy and time to acquire relevant knowledge and skills. They must always be ahead of the pack if they are to be successful in market dominance.

With the advent of new technology, comes high expectations. Customers demand quality products and services with speedy and accurate, error-free, deliveries. Products are more sophisticated and technologically designed and precise. There is also time contraction as technology utilisation speeds up processes and deliveries along the value supply chain. Business is now "customer centric" and demands high ...

Stress level increases as well. More leaders are harnessing technology resulting in more productivity, efficiency with more manageable and predictable outcomes.

Out of the complexities of these demands and operations, there is an important component that will always remain consistent since the agriculture age to the present ie the human factor.

Today, leaders must invest, build and nurture knowledgeable. There is a challenge for skill human capital for business sustainability. New leaders must be able to manage and steer the changing eco-system with changing demographic population, dwindling resources and rapid technology advancements.

Currently, many "baby boomers" are still on top of the management pyramid, and undeniably, the new generations are expected to replace more of the "baby boomers". To ensure seamless and successful transition into leadership roles, large organisations had taken the initiatives to understand and have programs that meet the behaviour and training needs of the new generations ie Generation X and Y ... not too far away will be millennial babies.

Leaders belonging  to the "baby boomers" era must realise that the mentality and behaviour of the new Generations need to be addressed differently. Thus, "old" leadership style must change or modified accordingly. It must be less of "brick and mortar" but more space, empowerment, knowledge and technology driven leadership.

There are also differences in cultural behaviours between the Gen X and Y. Leaders must be sensitive and learn to hire, manage, lead and integrate them accordingly.






Post a Comment