The New Face of Leadership

As the world becomes smaller through technology, social networks, and globalization, organizations are evolving in the same direction. Organizations must work differently to keep pace with the changing markets. Inevitably so, organizational members are more diversified. A once undiversified organization is now filled with four generations of workers under one roof (Appendix C, Workplace Generations) and as of 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that almost 30% of the labor force over the age of sixteen is Black, Asian or Hispanic/Latino (Appendix B, Bureau of Labor Statistics). This means that the face of leadership is changing with organizations. AT&T, Nissan, and Coca-Cola are a few organizations pioneering this leadership movement. Some of these faces include people of color, women and members of the Millennial generation. Of the three, Millennials are entering leadership positions at a quicker rate than their predecessors with many becoming free agent entrepreneurs. Donna Fenn best characterizes this entry as follows:

 

“This generation, at nearly 80 million strong, is poised to be the largest, the most educated, and the most diverse in American history. That gives its members special insight into the largest, the most educated, and the most diverse market in history. They are also fearless about technology. The kids of the '80s grew up with computers; the kids of the '90s can't recall (and shrink from imagining) life before the Internet. And they are idealistic and optimistic -- traits that influence their perceptions of business” (2008).

 

Source:
Jackson, Jenny (2010). Black Millennial Women in Leadership. Queens University of Charlotte. Charlotte, NC

 

References:

1. Davis, Bonnie (2010). “Minority Millennials are more pro-government, pro-family than peers.” Retrieved April 4, 2010. http://www.thegrio.com/news/minority-millennials-are- more-pro-government-family-than-peers.php.
2. Fenn, Donna (2008). Cool, Determined & Under 30. Retrieved April 21, 2010. http://www.inc.com/magazine/20081001/cool-determined-amp-under-30.html