How might we understand the GEN-Z’s “Approaches to Work or their Work Style” using “Leadership Compass”?

“When I dare to be powerful—to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important  whether I am afraid.”
—Audre Lorde

Highly ENGAGING, WIRED, and FLUID these are some characteristics of emerging market known as “The GEN-Z or The Generation Z”. These youngsters were born between the year of 1995 to 2010 who spend most of their time using their powerful smart phones because they are always online and engage in border less world.
for our “SideTrip” let us visit the kingdom of the DIGITAL NATIVES

Here are the fast facts in my study:

The survey is given to students who currently enjoying the current academic year 2018-2019.

There are 118 individuals who participated in the survey and majority of them are females.

The survey conducted using Google Forms and share the link to target audience using electronic platforms such as: Facebook Groups, Facebook Messenger and Edmodo Class. Privacy is a BIG deal in conducting the survey so the respondents can always terminate or discontinue their responses and or may decline the invitation to participate in this study.

The respondents can have multiple responses.

To measure their work styles we use “Leadership Compass” to assess their:

1. Action
2. Analytical
3. Vision
4. Empathy

The questionnaire used was adopted to assess students’ work style using leadership compass. You may check the link below under references.

Female dominated the responses by 60.2% or 71 respondents while male at 39.8% rate or equivalent to 47 responses.

Graph 1: North: Actions

These “Action Category” oriented individuals are also known as mobilizers or they are the most decisive group and are love the word “control”. In the graph we can notice that the highest bar got 74 responses which means that most of the respondents in “North category (which is ‘Action’)” would like to determine the course of events and be in control of professional relationships. The lowest value is 23 respondents who said that they are unstoppable in essence. We can also notice that 65 and 64 respondents have chosen first and fourth statements these groups rank second and third respectively. We can now say that this group under North category see themselves as assertive, active, and decisive. They also enjoy challenges presented by difficult situations and people.

Here is the complete statements and their corresponding values:

I am usually assertive, active, and decisive. (65 respondents)
I like to determine the course of events and be in control of professional
relationships. (74 respondents)
I am quick to act and express a sense of urgency for others to act. (57 respondents)
I enjoy challenges presented by difficult situations and people. (64 respondents)
I think in terms of the bottom line or results. (41 respondents)
I like a quick pace and fast track. (40 respondents)
I persevere and am not stopped by hearing “No”; I probe and press to get at hidden resistances. (23 respondents)
I likes variety, novelty, and new projects. (29 respondents)
I am comfortable being in front of a room or crowd. (35 respondents)
Some of my value-oriented words phrases include “Do it now!,” “I’ll do it!,” and “What’s the bottom line?” (53 respondents)

Graph 2: EAST for Vision

Evidently, statement saying “I appreciate a lot of information (15. 7% or 87 respondents) got the most response followed by a response stating they were  more on experimenting and exploring new ways of doing things at 13.0% with 72 respondents. Lastly, problem-solving skills got the lowest rate at 4.5% or 25 respondents. We can assume that “East” people (or Vision) are the most futuristic, idea-loving and skilled in creating strategies maybe because they love to experiment and embrace new processes or systems.

Here is the complete statements and their corresponding values:

I am a visionary who sees the big picture. (10.6% or 59 respondents)
I am a generative and creative thinker; I am able to think outside the box. (7.8% or 43 respondents)
I am very idea-oriented and focus on future thought. (10.1% or 56 respondents)
I make decisions by standing in the future. (11.2% or 62 respondents)
I usually have insight into mission and purpose. (9.0% or 50 respondents)
I look for overarching themes and ideas. (7% or 39 respondents)
I am adept at problem-solving. (4.5% or 25 respondents)
I like to experiment and explore new ways of doing things. (13.0% or 72 respondents)
I appreciate a lot of information. (15. 7% or 87 respondents)
My value-oriented words are “option,” “possibility,” and “imagine.” (11.0% or 61 respondents)

“The Leadership Compass draws from the Native American Indian tradition of the Medicine Wheel or the Four-Fold Way. In the Four-Fold Way, the four directions are described as warrior (north), healer (south), teacher (west), and visionary (east). All directions have profound strengths and potential weaknesses, and every person is seen as capable of growing in each direction. Each person can learn the gifts associated with each direction — through practice and self-awareness.”

Graph 3: SOUTH for Empathy

Statement number 1 dominated the chart with 92 responses saying that they understand how people need to receive information in order to act upon it. This was followed by statement number 5 with 78 responses claiming that they are supportive of colleagues and peers. On the end side, 30 respondents said that they are not competitive which rank the least in this category. These people are the combination of diplomacy and “mother material” attitude because they are the most supportive group among other directions (North, East and West).

Here is the complete statements and their corresponding values:

I understand how people need to receive information in order to act
upon it. (92 respondents)
I integrate others’ input in determining the direction of what’s happening. (36 respondents)
I am value-driven regarding aspects of professional life. (42 respondents)
I use professional relationships to accomplish tasks and interaction is primary to me. (50 respondents)
I am supportive of colleagues and peers. (78 respondents)
I have a willingness to take others’ statements at face value. (57 respondents)
I am feeling-based and trust my own emotions and intuition. (51 respondents)
I believe my intuition and emotions are regarded as truth. (43 respondents)
I am receptive to others’ ideas; I am a team player; I build on the ideas of others. (43 respondents)
I am generally non-competitive. (30 respondents)
I am able to focus on the present moment. (62 respondents)
My value-oriented words are “right” and “fair.” (70 respondents)

Graph 4: WEST for Analytical

Obviously, 14.7% or equivalent to 93 respondents have chosen the first statement that deals in understanding what information was needed to assist in decision-making. Rank number 2 have two entries, 13.6% or 86 respondents contributed the doughnut pie saying that they were helpful to others by providing planning and resources. Also, same number said that they were  carefully follow procedures and guidelines. These can be found at statement number 4 and 5 respectively. At the last spot, introspective and self-analytical contributed 3.6% or 23 respondents for West category

Here is the complete statements and their corresponding values:

I understand what information is needed to assist in decision-making. (14.7% or 93 respondents)
I am seen as practical, dependable, and thorough in task situations. (7.6% or 48 respondents)
I’m helpful to others by providing planning and resources and come through for the team. (13.6% or 86 respondents)
I move carefully and follow procedures and guidelines. (13.6% or 86 respondents)
I use data analysis and logic to make decisions. (6.8% or 43 respondents)
I weigh all sides of an issue and am balanced. (8.0% or 51 respondents)
I am introspective and self-analytical. (3.6% or 23 respondents)
I am careful and thoroughly examine people’s needs in situations. (10.9% or 69 respondents)
I maximize existing resources and get the most out of what has been done in the past. (6.6% or 42 respondents)
I am skilled at finding fatal flaws in an idea or project. (5.0% or 32 respondents)
My value-oriented word is “objective.” (9.6% or 61 respondents)

Graph 5: Leadership Compass

NEWS or North East West South

The overall performance of the respondents have chosen South or Empathy side of work style at 28.2%. As observe the gap is very close, West category or the Analytical side of work style rank second on an overall self-assessment. Action work style that can be found in the North got the lowest rank at 20.7% and Visionaries were at the rank number 3 having 23.8% under East category.

In essence, Generation Z, iGen, or Gen Z can be observed as empathizer and we can also assume that Gen Z are nurturer in nature base on the gathered data. Despite that they maybe having hard time in action but the data says open-minded, more receptive to ideas, the use of friendly words and value driven life are some of the best characteristic of South category. In this manner, the analytical side of the Gen Z makes them act more like a teacher, mentor, coach or analyzer. Being updated to certain information helps them to make sound decision and practicality but dependable gives them room to enjoy their team or chosen group. They may seem balance, objective and skilled at trouble shooting the ideas or projects.

To wrap up, it is always good to know where you excel and where you can fit in. The data will help us to spot positive and room for opportunities for each style taken. In addition, implication in excess or its drawbacks can be a way to improve ourselves and a way to deepen our appreciation of everyone’s different work styles. Lastly, with the data gathered we can learn the qualities that we can further develop, nourish and innovate for us to become better leaders.

References:

OSU Leadership Center. (n.d.). Retrieved September 12, 2018, from https://leadershipcenter.osu.edu/events/leadership-compass
PDF Materials:

http://bonnernetwork.pbworks.com/f/BonCurLeadershipCompass.pdf

https://phisigmapi.org/sites/default/files/2018-02/Leadership%20Compass%20Presentation%20Slides.pdf

https://www.bethechangeconsulting.com/sites/default/files/worksheets/Leadership-compass-self-assessment.pdf

https://www.nationalservice.gov/sites/default/files/resource/leadershipcompass.pdf