What Generation Y is Looking for in a Leader
September 16th, 2008 by 
beafields During the months of June, July and August, we surveyed 320 Generation Y careerists, ranging in age from 21-27 years of age. In the survey, we asked a few questions about leadership and what Gen Ys are looking for in a leader. Here is a synopsis of the results of the first 3 questions: ( As we finish the compiling the survey responses, we will make sure to post all results in individual posts and in one full report.)
1. How important is your own leadership development as a determining factor when choosing to stay with a company?
Very Important: 60.58%
Important: 28.85%
Somewhat Important: 9.62%
Not Important: 0.96%
2. How important is your own leadership development when choosing to work for a company?
Very Important: 54.46%
Important: 35.15%
Somewhat Important: 10.40%
Not Important: 0.00%
3. What leadership traits are you most looking for in the leaders in your workplace?
The top ten most common responses are (in order of the top answer down to the 10th most common answer:)
Top Answer: Number 1: Honesty
2: The ability to inspire
3: Integrity
4: Competence
5: Humility
6: Fairness
7: Respect
8: Visionary
9: Concern and care for employees
10: The ability to truly listen
Posted in Leadership | 
2 Comments »
September 16th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Bea,
While I accept that these are the key things that gen Y’ers are looking for in leadership, I would suggest that these three examples would apply to anyone in that level of position.
The first two questions are sort of self answering – would anyone answer anything other than the first two options? (obviously i rule out the idiots on that one!!)
I hope the other questions asked will be more conclusive in the answers.
Great book by the way – makes good reading, some great examples used.
Andy
September 16th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Andy…you make a good point…that these leadership qualities are what most people want from their leaders. However, somewhere along the way, our Boomer and Gen X leaders have gotten the impression that all Gen Y wants from the companies and leaders they serve is a great salary and lots of perks. From this survey, they are saying that they have some intangibles (honesty, inspiration) that are at the top of their leadership wish list.
We conducted this survey, and we asked for 1-2 word responses, and we did have over 300 Gen Y responses. We will be giving you the other answers soon, and all will be in one report. If I am a corporate leader looking at this list, I would take these qualities and start running a few 360 Degree Feedback surveys to find out how my leaders are stacking up on this list.