Generation Y 'needs to work on its leadership skills'

Younger people are likely to lag behind their older counterparts in terms of leadership skills, it has been claimed.

A cross-generational study by Talent Q has suggested that people in their early 20s - characterised as generation Y - show better social awareness and greater accuracy than older generations, reports Online Recruitment.

However, this age group needs to work in its leadership, planning and negotiating skills, the research claimed.

Roger Holdsworth, chairman of Talent Q, asserted that generation Y shows less adaptability than older generations, which he indicated could be due to the disappearance of the 'job for life' trend, in comments that may interest people recruiting for sales jobs.

"The 20-somethings we studied were also less resilient, less confident at negotiation and decision-making, less influential in a leadership capacity and less able or willing to follow the rules – all of which is concerning for the future," he told the magazine.

The study has been released after Martin Sloman, the learning and development advisor for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, claimed that poor communication skills is a flaw that exists across all age groups.

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Filed: 27-08-2008