Bridging the generation gap inspiring leadership

Lamp, The, July, 2008

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This year's NSWNA Professional Day in Sydney on 8 August aims to identify and foster leadership qualities while breaking down the 'generation gap' that inhibits communication and cooperation in the profession. The Lamp spoke with keynote speakers Avril Henry and Peter Sheahan, who are both renowned for their groundbreaking research and programs on leadership and cross-generational thinking in business and the workplace.

Avril Henry has worked extensively in many sectors, including health, and believes the solutions to today's leadership and generational issues lie primarily in a better understanding of Generation Y.

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'Gen Y is different,' said Avril. 'They look at us and see a bunch of workaholic baby-boomers who have devoured the world's resources at the cost of friendships and significant relationships--and they don't want that. They call us the stress generation and they make a good point.

'Gen Y'ers think and behave differently. Their beliefs and values are different to older generations. They are the workforce of the future and understanding what motivates them is important to the long-term sustainability of all organisations.

'Like their title suggests, their favourite word is "why" and that is often misinterpreted in the workplace as being disruptive, when really, they just want to understand.'

Peter Sheahan, also an expert in workforce trends and generational change, agrees. 'Gen Y'ers want to be inspired. They need to feel like their work matters or they will walk. They need to see respect, recognition and reward in the workplace and they want some control over their work and career.

'Studies into the cultures of health care suggest that control is very centralised and managers could be a lot more collaborative.

'While we can't change the system or the culture overnight, what we can offer on Professional Day are tactical things that we can do now,' said Peter.

According to Avril, Gen Y is driven by a strong ethical outlook and won't swallow pre-packaged truths like previous generations.

'They aren't being disrespectful when they question us; in fact it's all about respect for them. Peter summed it up beautifully when he said recently, "now and in the future power is out and respect is in". I say bring it on, it's long over due,' said Avril.

Both Avril and Peter see the understanding of Gen Y as the key to breaking down generational workplace barriers and developing a healthy leadership culture. As a 'card-carrying' member of Gen Y, Peter speaks from experience whereas Avril has gathered much of her 'inside' knowledge from her four daughters and their friends.

'We've had a deal for years, said Avril. 'Every Sunday night they'd come over and I'd feed them good food and fine wine and, in exchange, they would tell me anything I wanted to know. That was the deal, all or nothing!'

Apart from imbuing them with an appreciation of non-cask wine in their early 20s, it has brought mother and daughters closer together as two now work full-time for her consultancy firm, Avril Henry Pty Ltd.

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Avril graduated from the University of Cape Town in accounting and economics before migrating to Australia in 1980 with two suitcases and $500. She has since been a director of HR at some of Australia's largest companies where she has played a key role in leadership development, people management strategies, cultural change and integration. She is the former chair and co-founder of the National Diversity Think Tank and a past president of the Sydney Business & Professional Women's Club.

As a consultant she has assisted numerous government departments (defence, police, health) and private organisations (Toyota, CBA, IBM, Westpac to name a few). She is currently a strategic advisor to the Chief of Navy and is the only female and civilian member of the Australian Navy's Workforce Planning Committee.

Avril has written three books including, The Who What When and Y of Generation Why? and, Inspiring Tomorrow's Leaders Today: Breaking Down Generational Barriers At Work.

Avril last worked with Peter on the 'The Henry Report'--a ministerial review conducted by Avril into the recruitment and retention of staff in the army, air force and navy.

Peter is a passionate Gen Y'er who graduated in the top 1% of his school before starting his career in a large accounting firm. Totally uninspired, he left after eight days to clean toilets in a pub. Eighteen months later he was general manager of a multi-million dollar Sydney Hotel employing over 30 staff.

Today Peter has established a globally recognised brand as a leading expert in workforce trends and generational change. In just three years he has built a multi-million dollar consulting practice attracting clients such as News Limited, Google, Coca-Cola, L'Oreal and Harley Davidson. In 2003 he was named NSW Young Entrepreneur of the Year and in 2006 he was voted Keynote Speaker of the Year by the National Speakers Association (or to put it another way, he is the good-looking, young-gun of the motivational speaker circuit).