True collaboration needed
I have been interviewing new and established leaders about developing leadership qualities in new leaders. Here are some of the things I learned from these discussions:
| Established Leaders | Young, New Leaders |
| Young leaders are entitled | Feel are expected to know everything |
| Would like to see a desire to ask for help | Are reluctant to look stupid by asking for help, don’t know how/what to ask |
| See young managers get overwhelmed | Take responsibility seriously, so will do the work themselves for accuracy |
| Want to see better face-to-face communication | Resort to electronic media because it is familiar, have not been given clear directives to do otherwise |
| Are concerned about customer service | Like to have support when dealing with major customers |
| See avoidance for making definitive decisions or take risks | Are risk averse due to not wanting to fail or let anyone down |
| Observe what seems to be a lack of ambition | Don’t see the link between the work they are given and opportunities to gain real experience |
| Don’t think young managers listen | Feel spoken to, not included in discussions so that they can learn their way |
| Have a perception that new leaders don’t take direction | Like to know why things are done in order to feel like they are contributing |
| Find it hard to keep young managers engaged after failure | Take failure personally, will try to avoid it at all costs |
| Want them to build trust and confidence | Need leaders to set clear expectations so that they can succeed |
| Observe poor professional, public presentation | Are confused by a relaxed, casual environment and conflicting expectations for behavior |
| See communication and presentation skills diminish in the presence of senior leadership | Lack self confidence and experience with formal business expectations, want tools to gain these |
| Desire more for their young leaders | Want more from themselves |
This experience has been teaching me a lot. I would love to share these insights with you.
Email me at lyn@lyncikara.com for a free consultation if you have experienced similar challenges and want to help your young managers succeed.