A wake-up call for PR’s Baby Boomers

The study, authored by Dr. Bruce Berger, reveals digital, gender and generational shifts that may give my generation of PR leaders heartburn.

His research identifies 10 critical issues. The real news in the report, though, is its in-depth look at gender and generational gaps in our profession on these important issues.

We’re not going to like what the next generation thinks about the current generation of PR leaders. Berger’s report says:

“Leaders drink too much of their own Kool-Aid. Leaders and followers hold different views about the 10 most important issues, how future leaders should be developed, and the extent to which their organizations support two-way communication and shared power. Their views diverge even more regarding the quality of leadership performance. Leaders often rate their own performance higher than do their followers, but the divide between the two in this study is Grand Canyon sized—a very steep, very deep divide. Many participants also rated the organizational CEO’s understanding of communication higher than they rated the performance of the communication leader.”

And we’re communicators? Ouch. My generational face is red.