Dr Debjani Banerjee
The decade ahead is expecting millennial generation to comprise three-quarter of the work force. Millennials like any other generation have their own set of natural talents and develop some skills which they need. Some are innate and some are consequence of the environmental impact. In this new wave of globalized approach this generation looks towards leadership from a different approach then been perceived by the previous generations. This new generation traits are asking these captains to steer the boat with disparate approach which justifies their rationale. “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other” as rightly been quoted by John Kennedy. The B-school being one of the anchors guiding them path of journey needs to grasp, where to focus the effort of nurturing and grooming which would suit the traits of new generation leaders. This place of wisdom has to realize that a “square peg in a round hole would not fit”. Thus the unique talent should be identified and nurtured in such a way that it churns out a “Next-Gen leader.”
This changing business world has made it urgent for the management institutes to shape the future leaders to take charge in this volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) environment. These leaders need leadership skills and capabilities which are much different from the one that helped in the past. The proliferation of collaborative problem-solving situation requires consequential decision making, aligning with the organization strategy. The changing business world is letting the Business school’s adopting an upheaval in terms of matching the changing need.
The decade ahead is expecting millennial generation to comprise three-quarter of the work force. Millennials like any other generation have their own set of natural talents and develop some skills which they need. Some are innate and some are consequence of the environmental impact. In this new wave of globalized approach this generation looks towards leadership from a different approach then been perceived by the previous generations. This new generation traits are asking these captains to steer the boat with disparate approach which justifies their rationale. “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other” as rightly been quoted by John Kennedy. The B-school being one of the anchors guiding them path of journey needs to grasp, where to focus the effort of nurturing and grooming which would suit the traits of new generation leaders. This place of wisdom has to realize that a “square peg in a round hole would not fit”. Thus the unique talent should be identified and nurtured in such a way that it churns out a “Next-Gen leader.”
The institutes are not confined to domain knowledge alone but have infused different pedagogy through which students can attain holistic development. The institutes realized that along with domain specific technical skills, leadership skill is equally important to get things done. These new age managers are needed to be trained with “Glocal” mind-set. A smooth team work would require flexibility among all to work in a multicultural environment and must possess strong acumen to adept with all. They should be capable of having positive attitude, ready to resolve conflict and establish a healthy environment of success.
The Management institute have adopted more experiential learning imbibed in their curriculum so that along with conceptual knowledge, the students acquire other leadership qualities that help them create an edge over others.
The Institutes are making them exposed to look alike business environment through simulation and case based studies. This gives ample opportunity to develop the attitude and aptitude to solve the real life situation. The practice of live project is providing scope of understanding corporate culture as well as getting opportunity to be creative and innovative. Internship is helping in understanding the nuances of business world and getting adopted to the organizational culture.
The age old classroom teaching is getting replaced by flip class room, where the teacher becomes the coach and mentor thus creating a learning environment, which is much beyond curriculum delivery, leading to deeper learning. The students are asked to come prepared of the session in advance and present a brief overview, which develops strong coordination of planning, team work, communication skills, presentation skills etc.
The experiential learning through assignment, field visit, project work etc enables to nurture skills like decision making, handling situation through time management, conflict resolution, advocacy to take stand, garner in evaluating critical data thus trying to get some constructive task done. All these would make them capable of implementing the theoretical knowledge in business situation and understand the practicalities of delegation and empowerment.
Management education is in continuous process of creating socially capable leaders, who would not only look for employment but develop skills for job creation. The students are exposed to entrepreneurial awareness and given assistance through business incubation center, which helps in honing out the creative idea. The Business incubator also helps with advice, resource, contacts, capital and guidance of established entrepreneur.
The arrey of events conducted, both curricular and co-curricular helps in skilling the student understand the nuances needed from planning, coordinating, implementing and getting them done successfully as per the requirement of contemporary world of work. The students are thus exposed to various activities which nurture them in such a way that they inherit the qualities needed by a next generation leader.
This holistic development imbibes confidence in them and thus they turn to become a committed leader, who would always like to live up-to their credibility. Their ability to adept to complex situation and yet perform effectively will let them be of intrepid spirit. This will make them capable of taking “calculated risk” and be more thoughtful in their action, with an optimistic view and be more constructive towards their goal.
These development would persuade them towards a relentless drive to innovate with resilience and self-awareness thus knowing their own strength and limitations.
