For the longest time, leadership has always been seen through the lens of individuals within an organisation, institution or a nation who are able to influence towards a given direction.
And the youth were never seen as a group who could be able to take the lead on any matter of significant national importance. This narrative was changed recently when Kenya as a nation was swept by an unimaginable chain of events spearheaded by the members of the famous youth bulge referred to as Gen Z.
What started as a group of Gen Zs going to the streets to protest the enactment of the Finance Bill 2024 culminated in an occupation of the hallowed Parliament. And now it has now been seen as tools of trade by the global social media campaigns. The bold leadership, which is linked to the digital economy has been able to stir a deeply desired moral renaissance for the country that has all along faced a moral lacuna.
The phenomenon has been lauded by different sectors of society and leaders in the corporate world as a positive manifestation of genuine patriotism. Many observers have praised Gen-Zs for saying the things that everyone knew needed to be said but lacked the courage to say them clearly and forcefully.
Leaders have stated that the difficulties, the violence, and loss of lives experienced are akin to the birth pains before the joy of a new life coming into the world. And now various leaders, especially in the corporate world, are looking at the future of leadership with a digital lens since the majority of employees will increasingly be young people.
A look at some of the issues raised by young people. They said they expect certain basics from leadership including accountability, honesty, transparency, and respect for those who are led. They have unequivocally stated that they have lost trust in the current style and model of leadership. And since trust is earned, not given, the Gen Z categorically stated that there must be actions that engender trust in leadership. They also expect leaders to understand that the country belongs to everyone, not to a privileged few in positions of leadership. And most of all, the pursuit for the common good should be the key driver for leadership priorities.
It is interesting to note that our young people have displayed a great interest in national financial management matters. They seem to clearly understand that economics is “the science of scarcity and choice.”
They have castigated the apparent focus on self-interest driven by personal selfishness in a country where many citizens cannot afford two meals a day. In this regard, what the Gen Zs have recognised is that the country has abundant resources, there has been extreme mismanagement and theft through corruption over the years.
They vehemently pointed out instances of wasteful expenditure that should not be a priority in the face of many pressing needs and massive poverty. The message from them has been loud and clear: “if funds are scarce, why waste the limited funds on whimsical unnecessary expenditure focused on pampering a few privileged leaders.”
Their social media posts have also expressed rage at the opulence and extravagance of individuals in leadership who openly flaunt their wealth through purchases of ostentatious personal items such as watches, shoes, vehicles and even helicopters.
However, the ostentation and opulence are not matched to any traces of business acumen or wealth generating innovations. It is thus attributed to the sickening, deepening corruption that has become a way of life funded by taxes from overburdened citizens.
These concerns that led to their rage are an indication of the values that these young people hold dear.
Values that should be non-negotiable in the future of leadership. Given that these are the people corporate leaders need to work with, there is a need to take these values into account and ensure they align their leadership practices and workplace cultures to retain and motivate the Gen Zs as employees and customers. But for this alignment to be effective, corporate leaders need to seriously understand the late Peter Drucker’s declaration on, “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Our leadership culture seems to have eaten our nation’s strategy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner all within the blink of an eye. This phenomenon could easily afflict corporates that ignore the basic tenets of effective leadership.
The days of “transactional leadership” are long gone. This type of leadership upholds the status quo, it uses a structured system of rewards and punishment, it requires employees to work to a rigid established set of rules and it solicits minimal employee input. Many leaders operate within this transactional leadership mode, and it is the same approach that has led to the Gen Z uprising.
The young people expect nothing less than an “ethical transformational leadership” approach. It has to be ethical as these young people can smell a lie from a mile off.
They can sense insincerity and charismatic inconsistencies with their razor-sharp sense of authenticity. Transformative leadership is characterized by the ability to embrace change, high levels of emotional intelligence and integrity, encouraging transparent participation and communication, being a team player and inspiring the team to do more and be better in pursuit of an inspiring vision focused on the common good.
The writer is the Executive Dean of Strathmore University Business School
