The X & Y of Leadership: An investigation into Australia’s emerging

leaders

Ros Sayers School of Economics & Finance

RMIT Business

The X & Y of Leadership

March 2003 – Dec 2005Aim:“To identify organizational strategies

needed to successfully develop leaders from the cohorts of

generation X & Y.”

The X & Y of Leadership

Research Questions What are the organisational strategies and structures needed to

successfully develop leaders from the cohorts known as generation X and Y?

a. How effective are graduate programs and high potential programs, used in Australian organizations to develop the next generation of leaders?

b. What issues need to be addressed in the above programs to ensure success in developing generation X and Y’s leadership potential?

c. What are the variables in these programs; when looking are a cross-section of Australian Organizations?

d. What is best practice, when developing young leadership talent within large organizations?

e. What are the characteristics of Australian leaders in the future?

The X & Y of LeadershipOverview of the research

Literature review (Generation X & Y Literature and Leadership Literature).

Expert opinion (To acquire a general overview of the problems currently being faced by industry in this area)

Stage 1 – DBA & MBA survey (490 enrolled around 100 to be surveyed)

Stage 2a – Interview Program coordinators and HR directors within a cross-section of industries in Australian organizations.

Stage 2b – Interview Graduates and high potential staff from the above organizations.

The X & Y of Leadership

The story so far• Gen X – 1965- 1980Individualistic, flexible, diverse,

entrepreneurial, socially responsible, value family life & Leisure.

• Gen Y – 1981-1995Optimistic, self confident, structured,

entrepreneurial, impatient, & street smart,.

The X & Y of Leadership Gen X & Y

•Individualistic

•Flexible

•Diverse

•Entrepreneurial

•Socially Responsible

•Optimistic

•Self Confident

•Demand a challenge

•Impatient

•Value Work/Life Balance

Emerging Leaders• Tech savvy • Entrepreneurial • Embrace change • Sceptical of

institutions• Social responsible • Direct

communication • Time over money• Mentoring and

coaching • Skill transferability • Acceptance of

difference