I wrote this in response to a post on LinkedIn about a 25 page report explaining how to retain young people. While times of course are changing I cant help but notice during my 64 years on this planet that adults throughout my lifetime have been lamenting the declining work ethic and morals of each next generation. This lament has been turned to a quasi-science in recent years, with experts studying and consulting on how to manage generation Z.

The answer my friend is blowing in the leadership model of Kurt Lewin (and the wind). The leader must provide enough structure (“Here’s what we are trying to accomplish,” “Here’s what I am looking for from you,”) and enough freedom (“What do you think we need to do?” “How would you do it?”). The right balance of freedom and structure will vary with each person and each situation. The leader and the employee might differ some on the right blend, and honest dialogue is the only way to work through the discomfort that is inevitable in a reporting relationship. For example, if I am mentoring you in doing OD, I may think you need more direct oversight than you think you need. That doesn’t mean that the tension is automatically bad and too be avoided. It’s inherent in any authority relationship. Both leader and employee would be wise to also do family of origin exploration of their reactions to and beliefs about authority. Since the reporting relationship in many ways recreates a parent-child relationship, it would be wise to do that work together. The less unconsciously reactive we are the more we can make reporting structures work. There are many ways to learn about conflict and reactivity, and to get better at owning one’s own reactions and more calmly working out differences. These are skills essential in any job and at any age.

Back to my response to the LinkedIn post: Too much leadership/structure stifles employees, too little creates chaos. The same is true (in reverse) of freedom. Too much freedom creates chaos, too little stifles employees. Find the right balance with each person and you will foster higher productivity and morale regardless of age. This requires thinking out loud with each other, and establishing mutual respect. You do that effectively and most people of any generation will respond to your leadership.