The Facebook Generation and Leadership

It is a common idea that the millennial generation does not respect its elders or submit to authority. The Wall Street Journal ran an article on the “Facebook Generation” and it touched exactly on this point. They created list focused on today’s realities for how power and influence is gained and worked out. Here are some of the best points:

  • All ideas compete on an equal footing.
  • Contribution counts for more than credentials.
  • Hierarchies are natural, not prescribed.
  • Leaders serve rather than preside.
  • Power comes from sharing information, not hoarding it.
  • Opinions compound and decisions are peer-reviewed.

First off, I totally agree with the article that these realities are playing themselves out in today’s world.

Yet, I’ve heard plenty about how negative these realities are. I’ve overheard others say, “young people today don’t respect their elders” or “people don’t submit to authority anymore”…things like that.

I fully believe that everyone should respect their elders and leaders because you only get as much respect as you give, but also because the Bible commands it.

My problem is that these realities shouldn’t be a problem for leaders. Good leaders will recognize these changes and become leaders within this context. The people that have a problem with it feel that their leadership is earned by their title or by how long they’ve been doing something. If that is what leadership is, it is no wonder that no one respects or values it.

The worst thing a leader can do is rest on the achievements of the past or on the title of their position. When they feel like those younger than them are not honoring their place of leadership it is likely because they have done nothing to earn the respect and honor they feel due.

The only kind of leadership that is presented by Jesus is servant leadership.

I see this relating to today’s church in such a deep way. There are too many pastors who want their entitled leadership without first being servants and without engaging with the contributions of others around them.

My question:

Is today’s reality of the “Facebook Generation” a bad thing?