Part A
Question 1: what is the difference between a transformation and transaction leader?
The current leadership styles are related to two major types of methods: Transactional and Transformational leadership.
Transactional Leadership: Transactional leaders are goal-oriented and expect quality performance. They maintain the performance standards through the use of rewards and punishments1.
Transformational Leadership: Transformational leaders focus more on their employee’s motivation and engagement level. They try connecting employees’ sense of self with the company’s values. These types of leaders usually lead from the front.
Question 2: Millennials are interested in money but want more than just monetary compensation. Based on the lectures, what would you say are two areas they look for outside of money?
Of course, people work for money, but apart from that, millennials also look for benefits from the company, such as loan options and healthcare. They want retirement investment options for their old age. They also value loyalty and care for an employer who provides them with a steady career. Furthermore, they want a job that allows them to give time to their families. Overall, not all millennials care for free lunch, most of them want a steady employment that will enable them to prosper and live a healthy life2.
Question 3: what is a common area between traditionalists and baby boomers?
Though both traditionalists and baby boomers are a lot different from each other in many ways, they agree on certain things. Both groups value hard work. Both consider that if they work hard to get a job done, they should be praised and rewarded. However, the problem is that different generations do not communicate with each other, creating a gap.
Question4. What are two ways to get employees to accept change in a workplace?
Change is not an easy option. Most people get used to their old ways of life and resist change. The difference is something that most companies cannot impose on their own; they need help from professional mentors to make employees accept it. To make employees receive change, employers should talk to them and make them realize how the new system benefits them. Secondly, employers must accept feedback from employees. Understand their views on the issue and talk to them on their level.
Question5. What are two ways to help different generations in the workplace get along?
Employers should encourage healthy conversation between the two to help the different generations get along in the workplace. A discussion that allows the younger generation to understand the older generation’s ideas and vice versa will help both groups to be on the same page.
Part B
Scenario: An organization specializing in financial forecasting and investment that has been in the business for 50 years, led by the founder, who is male from the traditionalist generation, now faces a massive leadership change. The organization’s founder is retiring, and his replacement is his youngest daughter, age 27, who is a graduate of Columbia University with an undergraduate degree in Economics and Master of Business Administration (MBA). The staff of the organization, although multigenerational, is mainly made up of
traditionalists and baby boomers on the management side. Rumors have already started swirling in the organization. Fear of change is healthy amongst regular staff. The more significant concern is amongst management. The child as staff throughout refer to her had never worked before, and will now be the leader of a very profitable organization that has been around for a half-century. She has been at the company before, with her father, but mainly as a visitor to be babysat, and not since she was in her teenage years.
Essay 1: 1. As the leader, how should the new organization leader calm the waters amongst management? What type of leader should she be? How does she get management on board with her as leader of an organization that has been operating successfully for 50 years?
Apparently, the organization and most employees are older than the young daughter. They had been there long before she was even born. Some of them also babysat her when she was growing up and consider her as their daughter. In such a situation, becoming a demanding boss will not be wise. The senior employees will feel humiliated if the young boss makes them follow her orders. It would be wise to apply the typical style and ask for suggestions from senior, seasoned managers.
Essay 4: knowing what you have learned about millennials, what type of leader (transformational or transactional) would be best for them? Why? To support your argument, you can also compare to past generations and their goals. Make sure millennials are the primary focus
of your essay.
Considering millennials, it will be best if their leader leads them from the front, instead of giving instructions from the top. Millennials feel more energized when they see their leader among them. On the other hand, traditionalists do not need to be reminded about quality they value it and base their work on it. Hence, millennials are better off with a transformational leadership style.
References
- 5 Types Of Organizational Change – Change Management Tools. Change! Change Management News & Tips. https://change.walkme.com/5-types-of-organizational-change/. Published May 30, 2017. Accessed December 11, 2017.
- Creasey T. Incremental vs. Radical Change. http://blog.prosci.com/incremental-vs-radical-change. Accessed December 11, 2017.
