Generational Communication Disparities in Leadership
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GENERATIONAL COMMUNICATION DISPARITIES i GENERATIONAL COMMUNICATION DISPARITIES IN LEADERSHIP by Janelle A. Jordan _______________________ Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration ______________________ Liberty University, School of Business March 2021 GENERATIONAL COMMUNICATION DISPARITIES ii Abstract Companies seek to strategically utilize their resources and personnel to obtain an advantage over competitors. With generational diversity being a relevant topic, emphasis is placed on the strategic management of its personnel as they are essential in the innovative practices’ companies implement to evolve organizations and enable them to be viable in a dynamic business environment. The aspect of leadership methodologies is demonstrative in not only their verbal communication, but also nonverbal behaviors. Contributors to leadership styles displayed through communication cues may be emblematic of cultural upbringings and demographic differences. As organizations develop the skillsets of their personnel, diversification should be instrumental in the process particularly in emerging leaders from an array of backgrounds into leadership positions. As the variety in the organization’s demographical makeup is transforming with societal norms, it is beneficial to analyze the leadership styles and the reception of their subordinates. In delving into the peculiarities of leaders, this paper will explore the upbringings of leaders in conjunction with demographical considerations, which is inclusive of generational miscellany. Key words: generations, verbal communication, nonverbal communication, leadership. GENERATIONAL COMMUNICATION DISPARITIES iii GENERATIONAL COMMUNICATION DISPARITIES IN LEADERSHIP by Janelle A. Jordan Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Liberty University, School of Business March 2021 Approvals _________________________________________ ___________________ Janelle A. Jordan, Doctoral Candidate Date _________________________________________ ___________________ Dr. Philip Shields, Dissertation Chair Date _________________________________________ ___________________ Dr. Darnell Huntley, Committee Member Date _________________________________________ ___________________ Edward M. Moore Ph.D, Director of Doctoral Programs Date GENERATIONAL COMMUNICATION DISPARITIES iv Dedication This study is dedicated to my family, my ancestors, and the lineage thereafter. My hope that we continue to blaze trails and be the example for those to come. This is important in changing the narrative and declaring a new standard. In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” GENERATIONAL COMMUNICATION DISPARITIES v Acknowledgements My deepest and sincerest appreciation to all who have supported me alongside my doctoral journey. The utmost appreciation goes to God who continues to bless me more than I deserve, my family and friends who have become family, who incessantly support me throughout my endeavors. I thank all of you for being a listening ear, continuing to push me when I felt I needed a break, for driving and coordinating things while I worked and allowing me to maintain a balance of life outside of work and school. When everything seemed to be going haywire, thank you for letting me know that it is not that bad and to pull myself back together. My appreciation also goes to my work family for their support and guidance along the way. Lastly my gratitude goes to my chair, Dr. Shields, and committee member, Dr. Huntley, for their mentorship and guidance. GENERATIONAL COMMUNICATION DISPARITIES vi Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Approvals ....................................................................................................................................... iii Dedication ...................................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... v List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. xi List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... xii Section 1: Foundation of the Study ................................................................................................. 1 Background of the Problem......................................................................................................... 2 Problem Statement ...................................................................................................................... 3 Purpose Statement ....................................................................................................................... 4 Nature of the Study ..................................................................................................................... 4 Discussion of the Methodology ............................................................................................... 5 Summary of the Nature of the Study ....................................................................................... 9 Research Questions ..................................................................................................................... 9 Conceptual Framework ............................................................................................................. 10 Media Richness Theory ......................................................................................................... 10 Generational Cohort Theory .................................................................................................. 11 Discussion of Relationship between Concepts ...................................................................... 13 Summary of Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................... 13 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................................... 14 Generations ............................................................................................................................ 14 Baby Boomers ....................................................................................................................... 14 GENERATIONAL COMMUNICATION DISPARITIES vii Generation X .......................................................................................................................... 14 Millennials ............................................................................................................................. 15 Lived Experiences ................................................................................................................. 15 Career Stage ........................................................................................................................... 15 Media Richness...................................................................................................................... 16 Leader Effectiveness .............................................................................................................. 16 Leader Behavior .................................................................................................................... 16 Assumptions, Limitations, Delimitations .................................................................................. 17 Assumptions .......................................................................................................................... 17 Limitations ............................................................................................................................. 19 Delimitations ......................................................................................................................... 20 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................................... 20 Reduction of Gaps ................................................................................................................. 21 Implications for Biblical Integration ..................................................................................... 21 Relationship to the Field of Study ......................................................................................... 22 Summary of the Significance of the Study ............................................................................ 23 A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ........................................................... 24 Generational Characteristics .................................................................................................. 24 Leadership Styles ................................................................................................................... 29 Communication in Leadership ............................................................................................... 41 Communication in Multigenerational Leadership ................................................................