As we prepare for Gen Z (those born after 2000) to enter
the workplace the focus on the cohort before is shifting onto the way Gen Y (millennial's)
are becoming leaders and how we can
encourage them in their leadership roles. Two recently published books which
take this up in different ways are Leading the Millennial Way by Simon
Barrington with Rachel Luetchford and Generation Y, Spirituality and SocialChange edited by Justine Afra Huxley. I would argue that anybody seriously
interested in how this age group are emerging as leaders would find it useful
to read both books.
The former is a dialogue between a Gen Xer and a Millennial
where they explore report data they researched and produced at Forge Leadership.
They dig behind the data for the trends that are emerging and what this can tell
us about how millennial's feel about leadership, what they can learn about
leadership and how those in older generations can adapt to develop the new ways
of working which are emerging.
Whilst the make up of the sample used is not fully
discussed, that would require a separate reading of the report which is
available to download or buy in hard copy, it does reflect what other research
and empirical evidence is showing and so I believe can be trusted. There is an
implicit middle-class bias within this text, but that reflects the type of
young adults who are being referred to in the book, on the whole, and the nature
of British society at the moment.
The definitions used within the book are quite soft, but I
believe that reflects the reality of the subject and the move into a world
where influencers are now acting as leaders too. The move away from hierarchy to
flatter ways of working is one of the changes highlighted in the book. I understand
why this is, but I would suggest whilst we are moving to flatter ways of
working hierarchies are still in place which is why, as the book says, this
cohort is always looking to make sure they are progressing within their lives
and within the work place.
Much of what is being said here will not be new to readers
of writers such as Brene Brown, (who is quoted), for example. However, it is in
places developed, for example when talking about knowing your own core values. Whilst
the authors do have international experience they are writing from a very
British standpoint which is refreshing as a lot of these types of business and
leadership books come from the other side of the pond.
If you want to explore what the types of social projects that
the millennial leaders being referred to in the book are involved in further I
would suggest you turn to Justine Huxley’s book on Generation Y, Spirituality
and Social Change. As with Leading the Millennial Way Huxley’s book is written
by a Gen Xer ready to both engage and learn from the millennial's. Both books
have the benefit of realising the importance of inter generational communication
and learning.
Generation Y, Spirituality and Social Change is a book
which shares interviews, stories and testimony from a range of different millennial
leaders and change makers. They come a variety of spiritual backgrounds, reflecting
the role Huxley has as Director of St. Ethelburga’s which is a centre working
for reconciliation and peace, from an interfaith perspective.
The place of vulnerability in leadership was a core aspect
of Leading the Millennial Way and is an important part of the discussion of
leadership in part one of the book two. This part of the book includes an
interview with James Adams who is of Methodist background and who has developed
a range of social enterprise projects whilst training to be a doctor. This amazing
young mans story can be seen to embody totally what the former book was talking
about, as can many others within this book. The terms Huxley uses for the
leadership being discussed is ‘natural leadership’ and for the spiritual
ethical framework underpinning these stories she uses the term ‘sacred activism’.
The way that ancient teachings are reinterpreted or re-examined
for the digital age or in light of the current digital, consumer age we find
ourselves in is an aspect of the book I find particularly interesting too.
There is a clear link between tradition and the present in much of what is
being discussed as well as a firm rejection in many cases of practices that
were seen to be lacking in integrity or were oppressive.
Both books bring identity into the discussion and are
careful to reject the way that exclusion has occurred in the past because of gender
or sexuality. However, this book deals with this more explicitly and includes
the stories of LGBTQ people such as Orion Stephanie Johnstone in it too.
Another similarity between the two texts is the way in
which they talk of the importance of inner and outer lives and the relationship
between the two as people seek to have healthy and balanced lives.
As with the other book the one criticism you could make of
this book is that it again has an implicit middle class bias. However, as these
books are at the forefront of the genre I think others will come, and are
coming – particularly as we look at how to grapple with the problems of youth
violence many communities face with the Gen Z/ Gen Y hinge population.
I can highly recommend both books and than their authors for
their work. I would recommend that people buy both and read them in tandem to
get a clearer understanding of both the theory and what it looks like in
practice and how it is changing our world.
