Gen Y less capable in leadership skills than Baby Boomers: Hudson

WHILE members of Generation Y (born 1980-1994) are highly ambitious and socially confident, a new study says they are "severely lacking in traditional leadership skills".

This is according to recruitment company Hudson, which on Friday released a report titled The Great Generational Shift. The study examines the changing nature of workplaces, based on an assessment of over 28,000 professionals worldwide.

"Generation Y is no longer the baby, Generation X no longer the middle child and (Baby) Boomers no longer the parent. Everyone is moving up a step. The leadership implications will need to be reckoned with," explained Simon Moylan, Hudson executive general manager of talent management - Asia-Pacific.

Unlike members of Generation Y, Baby Boomers (born in 1946-1964) were found to be strong on traditional leadership traits - such as being decisive, motivational, and persuasive. Members of Generation X (born in 1965-1979), meanwhile, were seen as a "counter balance to the more dominant characteristics of other generations".

Said Mr Moylan: "Organisations need to understand what it is that motivates their employees and connect the dots between the motivational drivers of those in different ages and stages ... Organisations should decide whether their leaders of today are the right leaders for tomorrow."

Hudson's study involved psychometric tests of Baby Boomers, and members of Generations X and Y. The firm's research looked at various personality traits including emotional stability, extroversion, openness, altruism, conscientiousness and professional factors.