Recently I was talking to a business owner and we were discussing the challenges he faces as a leader. One he discussed was working with “Millennials.” Now I do not intend to offend anyone with my post especially those who do not like labels. Labels are beneficial to provide a language for us to communicate more clearly about a specific group of people.
As I researched the idea of leading millennials I found a post that discussed a concept similar to a principle that John Maxwell discusses in his book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. The post encouraged leaders to “be the right person” in order to win the respect of millennials.1 This is a similar concept to John’s Law of Magnetism which says “who you are is who you attract.”2
I am a very direct person so I will connect with those who value candor and authenticity because that is my natural way of being. I am also very driven which causes me to gravitate to similar individuals. This is fine if I want a team of clones, but in the end I need people around me who have different, complementary personalities and strengths, but similar values. So do I, do we, need to change who we are in order to work with the next generation.
I would suggest we do not need to change who we are, but how we are. For example, being driven I tend to focus on tasks more than relationships. If I want to lead a team of productive and caring individuals I have to be that myself. Leading people is complicated, but no matter the generation we all want to know if others truly care about us and if we matter to them.
When we lead the next generation maybe these few ideas will help:
- Take time to let them know you care. Maybe that is buying them lunch and getting to know more about them beyond what they can do for you as an employee.
- Understand what is important to them. One of the principles Maxwell discusses is “people are attracted to leaders whose values are similar to their own.” With that in mind when looking to hire millennial employees understand what they value and whether or not it aligns with what you value.
- Find a partner in the mission. As you seek to lead the next generation is there someone in your organization from that generation who understands what the vision of the company is and has bought into it? If so, develop a strong relationship with that person so he/she can become an ally in helping peers to join in the mission. Seek out this person’s perspective on how to achieve specific goals and he or she may give you fresh insight on how to cast the vision in a way that will attract the next generation.
- Be humble and teachable. As the leader you may have more experiences, but the next generation has much to teach you. Build a relationship with enough openness to ideas that those you lead can share with you without feeling they may receive repercussions.
These are a few suggestions. Maybe you have some strategies that you have found effective for leading the next generation. Please share them so we can learn from one another.
- https://www.thebalance.com/tips-for-retaining-millennial-employees-1918679 accessed 6/27/17
- Maxwell, John. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.
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