Published: April 05, 2008 05:13 pm            

VASICEK:Leadership crisis looming?

Today I am going to begin with Norman Clature. Do you know Norman? Well, I don’t. I meant “nomenclature.”

I know what you are thinking, “For this I subscribe to the Tribune?” But hear me out.

The terms “Generation X” or “Generation Y” sound like alien societies from Flash Gordon serials. What do I mean by these terms? Here goes.

Demographic experts label generations in an attempt to generalize unique trends and viewpoints. Although there is no one “official” breakdown, here is my stab at it.

We can define the World War II generation as the Builders, followed by the Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1963), Generation X (born between 1964 and 1980), and Generation Y (born between 1981 and 1999). From 2000 on is Generation Z (or “The Millennials”).

I am a middle Baby Boomer (born in 1956), the father of two Generation Y children. As a student of human nature, I am fascinated about how little some things have changed and how much other things have changed. Today, I want us to highlight one of the changes: leadership.

When I was a young man (and some people say I’ve never been young!), most ministerial students aspired to lead their congregations. Many started their professional careers as youth pastors, but they intended to eventually become senior pastors.

According to recent studies, the trend in seminaries and Bible colleges is reversed: Few want to ever become senior pastors. They intend to serve as youth pastors, worship leaders, family life pastors, or directors of Christian education for their entire careers.

This trend is not limited to divinity. Generation Y members typically avoid leadership roles in secular society as well. Leadership is out, team play is in.

Younger Americans are embracing a more feminine style of leadership. Sociologists tell us that masculine or feminine styles of leadership (which has nothing to do with the actual gender of leaders) vary from nation to nation and era to era. A feminine style views authority as increased when shared; one increases security by sharing authority. A masculine view of leadership suggests that power must be protected lest it slip away.

There is room in society for both viewpoints, and both have their pros and cons. America is currently structured toward a moderately masculine style of leadership; feminizing it will be challenging.

A recent survey, conducted by the “Girl Scouts of the USA” and publicized by “Channel One News,” suggests that today’s youth have less interest in assuming leadership positions than did past generations. When surveyed, youth rated “fitting in,” “making money,” “animals” and “environment” above leadership or professional aspirations. The report went on to say that today’s youth prefer situations in which everyone participates in decision making.

My guess is this: If you want to see how surgeries, directors’ meetings, or business choices will be decided in the future, I have a TV show for you. It is called, “Ace of Cakes” and appears on Food Network Tuesdays at 10 p.m. or Sundays at 11 p.m. Even if you have no interest in cakes (I don’t), this is an inside glimpse into Generation Y thinking and organization.

As mentioned above, I see both pros and cons to Generation Y thinking. On the positive side, workers will see their opinions actually count in the decision making process; this could increase the sense of “ownership” within organizations and encourage creativity. It works for baking cakes.

On the negative side, all followers and no leaders is like a couple planning a date, each saying, “I don’t know what I want to do. What do you want to do?”

And what about the few leaders who do take the helm? Since fewer Americans will be experiencing any sort of leadership role, they could swell the ranks of sideline critics who have unrealistic expectations for their leaders. This could “burn out” the few who do lead. The end result: incompetent executives, doctors, lawyers, pastors, counselors and professionals in general.

We might be surprised, but I think we are going to experience a leadership shortage.

Ed Vasicek is pastor of Highland Park Church and a weekly contributor to the Kokomo Tribune.

        

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