I read a cracking article by Bernard Salt AM in The Australian sharing advice for the next generation in the workforce. I couldn’t agree more and it aligns with the 5 themes Yasmine and I have written about at EGM: 1) Be someone people want to work with: - - - Skills are essential, but so are qualities like energy, social skills, and taking responsibility. 2) Lead with values: - Honesty, fairness, and pleasantness matter…people gravitate toward those who make work enjoyable. 3) Realise that leadership has evolved: - Today’s leaders are more empathetic. Lean into this shift to grow. 4) Work hard AND smart: - Hard work often is the key to success. The best people turn work into something they care about but remember, there’s more to life than work. 5) Stand out with confidence: - Package your ideas well, communicate thoughtfully, and bring some old-school grit. In a nutshell…Build your career on values, skills, and a touch of grit…and your future self will thank you.
Great summary. Leadership is about the experience you create for others. Inspiring and motivating others doesn’t happen by chance - you need to bring a balance of courage, vulnerability and confidence. Oh, and do the work - leadership is not a destination for the lazy.
Totally agree, Mark, particularly with your first point. We tend to think employees naturally gravitate to a manager or the ‘smartest person in the room.’ This is not always the case. Some employees gravitate to the other ‘leader’ - the person who demonstrates kindness, empathy and a genuine desire to work alongside others and be generous with their time and knowledge.
Absolutely agree, especially with the emphasis on leading with values and being someone people want to work with. It's not just about being skilled, it's also about bringing positive energy and responsibility to the table. This shift in leadership style towards empathy is crucial for growth in today's work environment.
Absolutely agree—traditional command-and-control leadership often fosters an undercurrent of fear that hinders the development of a positive, healthy culture. To truly enable everyone to shine and align with core values, organisations need an environment that empowers collaboration and open safe communication and led by example. Thanks for posting Mark
Great insights Mark Johnson I'd add that just on the first point, its really important to cultivate a growth mindset as well. I try to reframe the word "problems" into "challenges", which in the long run leads to innovation.
Excellent advice 🙌🏻
Thanks for sharing. Bernard Salt AM so true, love your insights. 👏👏
Adelaide, South Australia’s CFO and CEO Recruiter | GAICD | LinkedIn Top Voice
1moHere’s the link https://www.theaustralian.com.au/weekend-australian-magazine/hey-gen-z-employees-take-this-old-boomers-advice/news-story/e6ba297683c506ed09f225f0548619a8?amp