Generational differences at workplace

Followers' well-being trapped in either job distress or eustress when perceiving leaders' characters

Abstract

This study investigated the predictive influence of generation X-leaders' characters on millennial-followers’ job stress. Three hundred and sixteen (males = 67.4%; females = 32.6%, teaching = 71.5%; non-teaching = 28.5%) millennial-followers were participants. Ages of the participants ranged between 22 and 36 (M_age = 30.53; SD = 3.84).The test of hypotheses using multiple regression analysis indicated that leaders’ interest and behavioural integrity produced perceived positive predictive influence on millennial-followers’ job stress (distress) whereas humility is a non-significant predictor of millennial-followers’ perceived job stress. On the contrary, forgiveness and gratitude negatively predicted millennial-followers’ job stress (eustress). This study suggested socialisation hypothesis as framework for understanding perception of job stress by followers at workplace based on generational difference (millennials and Xers). The study spurs ideas on leadership and followership dynamics at workplace.