Advertisement

Why younger managers are more effective

Shutterstock

Shutterstock

A new study has suggested Millennials (those who reached young adulthood around the millennium) are better managers than their older counterparts.

Despite this, younger managers are likely to be less respected and less trusted by older peers.

The research, conducted by leadership development consultancy Zenger/Folkman, collected feedback from superiors and peers on 456 managers aged 30 and younger.

The information was then compared with data on managers aged 45 and older – and the result was a landslide.

These cool offices will inspire you
Can workplaces affect mental health?
Labor digs in on penalty rates

According to Zenger/Folkman, the spring chickens among us have more to offer in each of the 49 leadership categories, including their ability to inspire peers, respond positively to feedback and welcome novelty.

Youthful managers also won out when it came to goal setting.

“Younger leaders are less fearful than older leaders of falling short when they set the bar high. As a result, they inspire their team to accomplish challenging tasks,” wrote the researchers in the Harvard Business Review.

The results weren’t all positive, however, with the research also revealing young managers to be less sensitive to others (due to them facing less challenges) and lacking strategic perspective that comes with experience.

Overall, an impressive 44 per cent of the younger sample ranked in the top quartile for effectiveness, compared to 20 per cent of the older sample.

It could be argued that the results of the project were skewed to the younger managers, as those who have been promoted at such a young age are likely to represent an above-average sample of their peers.

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.