THE CHAMELEON LEADER
By Dr. Ranya Nehmeh
Chameleons are small slow-moving lizards with an extended tail, protruding eyes and a long tongue. The most unique characteristic of the chameleon is its ability to change colour in order to adapt and blend into its surroundings. If we take these characteristics and use the chameleon as a metaphor for a leader, we have someone who is: flexible, adaptable, blends into the environment and understands the internal and external setting but is still able to affect change. That is the foundation of the CHAMELEON Leader.
In this constantly changing technologically advanced work landscape, to be able to lead effectively, especially in the workplace, we need to understand who is it that we are leading? The millennials, also known as Generation Y are now between 22 and 38 years of age. They currently represent 35% of the global workforce and data suggests that by 2025 they will make up the majority of the workforce, almost 75%. Needless to say, we need to know how to manage them, to keep them motivated and to get the best out of them.
Millennials have different expectations in the workplace than those of previous generations. This tech-savvy generation is much more open-minded, confident, self-expressive, and they don’t easily acknowledge limitations. They are especially passionate about contributing to something that matters. In the workplace, they want to be involved, to know that their views and opinions are valued and to receive continuous valuable feedback. In other words, they want to part of the process.
When their expectations of the workplace fall short, they have no problem leaving a job; they are notorious for job-hopping, which is in great contrast to previous generations who prioritised job security and stability. In fact, 43% of millennials envision leaving their jobs within two years and only 28% seek to stay beyond five years.
The topic of how different generations function and interact in the workplace has always been fascinating to me. I hear from all my Human Resource colleagues and notice from my own experience, young professionals that are barely recruited into a new job and already asking about promotions, salary increases, more responsibility and wanting to know how the organization is going to contribute to their personal growth and development. It is therefore no longer enough to hire talent, the real challenge is how to motivate and retain these younger employees.
As research for my book, The Chameleon Leader, I conducted a study on leadership and millennials with over 700 participants, to determine what this generation requires to feel satisfied in the workplace. An important part of my process when writing this book was to speak with the participants face-to-face in order to get a sense of what was important to them beyond the statistical data. I wanted the book to be accessible, hands-on and fun to read so that it would stand out in the sea of leadership books. For this, I had to go straight to the source. What I discovered were the nine leadership traits that millennials want their leaders to possess.
C – Communication: Surprisingly though, not via phone or email or any other virtual platform but rather straight up face-to-face in-person communication.
H – Honesty: Directness, transparency, authenticity, admitting weakness or failures, are traits that millennials value. So, share with them the whole information package, the good, the bad and the ugly.
A – Accountability: Millennials want their leaders to take responsibility for their choices, behaviours and actions.
M – Motivation: This doesn’t mean they want a cheerleader, as in ‘way to go buddy’ but it does mean they want mentoring and opportunities to develop their skills so they feel like an active component in the company.
E – Ethical: Millennials have a core belief that people and the planet should be treated with respect. They are drawn to companies that contribute to making the world better, are socially conscious and accountable. This also applies to their leaders specifically making ethical decisions and demonstrating good values.
L – Listening: We all know those people who can never hold a full conversation without either glancing at their watch or phone, perpetually distracted, never giving you their full attention. Millennials want to be heard because they believe they have something to say.
E – Emotional intelligence: This is a person’s ability to detect and label their own feelings as well as those of others and respond to them in a rational way. Let’s be honest, no one wants to work with that unpredictable person who may blow up at any time and struggles with empathy.
O – Overcome obstacles: Millennials want a leader who seeks out solutions to problems. For millennials it’s the experience and learning curve that counts so don’t sugar coat problems, tell them what is happening and let them contribute to the process.
N – Nodal: A node in an electrical circuit is that point where the pathways intersect. This got me thinking, why can’t this intersection be a person? A focal point for information flowing to and from team members? A person who interacts with everyone and is interlinked with the entire team, without whom the circuit would cease to exist. Millennials expressed wanting a leader who would be present throughout the process, knows when to get involved and contributes by providing guidance and making suggestions from the sidelines.
These chameleon leadership traits demonstrate a shift in mind-set, a more visionary approach, based on the notion of empowering and developing people, communicating and collaborating in an authentic way, being accountable for decisions and inspiring others through action.
About:
Dr Ranya Nehmeh, author of the book The CHAMELEON Leader, holds a Doctorate in Business Administration and a Master’s in Human Resource Management from the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE). She has over fifteen years of work experience in the area of human resource management. She currently works as a senior HR specialist in an international development organization in Vienna, Austria. The CHAMELEON Leader is her debut book.
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THE CHAMELEON LEADER
An essential book for anyone who wants to be a better leader to the millennials, and reap the rewards of this incredibly capable generation. Millennials make up a significant part of today’s workforce and we would be foolish not to embrace what they have to offer – a unique perspective, an ethical outlook, tech-savvy minds, and a ‘no fear’ approach to the workplace.
Top-down leadership is passé. Millennials need a leadership style that is current – collaborative, open, transparent and inclusive – which caters to their strengths. They want to be a valued part of the leadership process.
This book asks the question: What do you want in a leader? The answers, summarised into nine traits that were identified by hundreds of millennials worldwide as being of the utmost importance in a leader, comprise the CHAMELEON Leader. An informative, straight from the source, fully interactive, exercise-guided book that gives you the practical skills you need to be a better leader, and offers a place to self-reflect on your own existing skills and create a game plan to take action.
Category: How To and Tips
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