Generational Conflict: Different Leadership Styles by Age
When hearing the phrase "generational shift," you would probably think of an experienced older person standing up for himself on the one hand and an inexperienced young person with little responsibility and a desire to change the world on the other. But this is not always the case.
Look at the presidential election in the United States in 2024. Current president, 81-year-old Joe Biden, has ended his re-election campaign as successor replaced 59-year-old Kamala Harris. The twenty-two-year age difference makes it a generational shift. However, many twenty-somethings may perceive both as older people.
It may seem that Republicans are next in line regarding candidates' rejuvenation, considering Donald Trump's age. Apparently, that is not the case. It's the same as with Joe Biden, wasn’t planning to resign until the Democrats put enough pressure on him. The old structures are clinging to power and not giving young people many opportunities.
A similar situation has occurred in some political parties in the Czech Republic. Almost every party has some form of the young – ODS, ANO, and CSSD. The last mentioned was the most progressive because it allowed Jan Hamacek, former chairman of the Young Social Democrats, into the Chamber of Deputies. The communists didn’t give young people much space and didn’t want to share possessions until it cost them seats in the Chamber of Deputies.
The generational shift affects all areas of human activity, the state apparatus, but also the church and, of course, companies, including family businesses. Each generation is slightly different, but they still have something in common.
Conflict as a Challenge to Every Generation
Joe Biden belongs to the generation of Builders, also known as the Silent Generation, who had to build an economy and society after the Second World War and the previous economic crisis. Both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris belong to the powerful post-war generation, impacted by the significant economic expansion of the Western world. In both generations you may notice different leadership styles. While Biden as president oversees the executive branch of government, Trump has tried to manage it.
Today, Gen Z is in the spotlight today. There are at least two reasons. First, the most significant generational gap conflict occurs between Zoomers and Boomers, slang for Gen Z and X. Second, as a powerful generation entering a productive age, Gen Z is reshaping the economy and making an attractive target group.
The mentioned generation gap conflict has always been present in societies, described by philosophers since time immemorial. After the emerging generation gain some independence and enters the adult world, opposing commentaries on age follows.
Suddenly, Everyone’s a Manager
Belonging to Generation X, I remember vividly the lack of managers in the post-revolutionary 1990s. Extraordinary interest in the study of economics has occurred, followed by filling the managerial posts with inexperienced graduates. Yet they have made many mistakes, still retained their leading positions and contributing a demotivating attitude to young people.
This is best illustrated by the speech of Kristyna Drapalova, a young representative of the Municipality, and the subsequent reaction of her colleague Zdenek Kovarik. Mrs. Drapakova points to the difficulty of the young generation accessing private housing in the capital. According to Mr. Kovarik, she is talking nonsense and lying.
New Era, New Opportunities
Mr. Kovarik belongs to the same generation as Trump and Harris. He started his business after the revolution, apparently successfully. He could be among the first in line to get privatized apartments or houses. Some were successful, some were not. The new era brought opportunities almost like the American Klondike in time.
Yet today the situation isn't as stable as we would like to imagine. However, if we look at the Western economy, we find that only the genuinely wealthy people can own apartments or houses in Zurich or Luxembourg. The situation in Prague seems to be approaching the same problem. So, young people are asking for rent regulation implementation, like in Vienna or Berlin.
The problem is communication. If we, the older ones, think we are smarter, we should act like that. The only way to find out what’s bothering someone and to find the right solution to the problem is to care for others, not to judge them and to respect them.
Leadership with Empathy
It’s fair to mention a few less distinct generations – millennials and Generation Alfa. Alfa doesn’t have an emerging generation yet. Generation Y, as millennials are also known, is encircled by more distinctive generational rivals – the younger Z and the older X.
In terms of leadership, Biden oversees, and Trump manages, as I previously mentioned. Generation X is full of supervising project managers. For Generation Y, there is a trend away from managing to authentic leadership as millennials demand guidance. Generation Z works well when empowered and authentic. Generation Alfa hasn't reached productive age yet, but based on school data, we know that they seek inspiration.
Our Capacity to Overcome Challenges
When comparing leadership development across generations, empathetic leadership is the only way to rise, even considering the coming crises – social, environmental, and geopolitical.
To become authentic leaders, never leave your team members alone. Let’s pull together. Our goal is the same, and we are not enemies. Have the courage to entrust them with competence. Be their guides through the galaxy of business thanks to the experience gained.
That’s the only way to create a safe space where no one has to lie, and colleagues don’t have to distort their work out of fear or to hide vital information. Where they are not afraid to share original and bold ideas that move us forward.
Be empathetic. Be interested, listen, and respect. Asking questions is a way to get information, but the worst way of all. By remaining silent and interested in others, we learn much more. We can learn all this.
If corporate and national leaders are authentic leaders who continuously work on their personal development, they can motivate and effectively lead emerging generations. In my opinion, managers who project their personal problems into interpersonal communication, frustrations, and unfulfilled ambitions won't succeed.
