Each generation is unique and has its special needs, passions, and perspectives. And while most outstanding leaders have excellent communication skills, are empowering and inspiring, the best leaders see themselves as servant leaders. This perspective requires strong emotional intelligence and one that is “other centric”. This means that you can personalize your leadership style and approach to fit the needs of EACH of your team members. Our Millennials have a unique passion and a spirit all their own. When we lead them by tapping into their motivation, their why, the results can be extraordinary.
Millennials represent 51% of today’s workforce. As well, approximately 10,000 leaders from the Boomer generation are turning 65 every day through their exit in 2030. This alarming statistic points to a significant void of present and future trained leaders. Businesses need to accelerate the growth of these millennial leaders and ensure they are prepared to lead for the next 30-50 years. So, how do we capture the unique spirit of these workers who today frustrate many of today’s boomer leaders?
The Millennials have embraced and used technology since they were born. They expect ongoing engagement, entertainment and feedback. They learn by doing. In addition, they are passionate about learning and thrive on frequent change and new concepts. They are social and independent. They have a heart and connection for the environment. They desire to make a greater impact in the world. Regular and multimedia feedback is what they expect. They have a need to be understood and to understand. Their boundaries are like none other and they know that the world is finite in resources and scale.
So how do we lead and coach these millennials who are so often misunderstood? How do we unlearn leadership skills and techniques? How do we shift to ask not tell and to learn new techniques that are uniquely custom to meet their individual needs?
Today’s leaders must relearn leadership. A great many shifts need to take place to inspire Millennials to maximize their potential. We must adapt and not expect them to replicate our styles. This requires today’s leaders to remake themselves into a “New Generation Leader”. How?
First, leaders must know their own leadership style. This is important because they need to know which communication skills they need to tap into or relearn in order to reach the Millennials. If the leader’s emotional intelligence is self-centered, they will need to shift to an “other centric” approach in order to make the shifts needed to hear the millennial’s needs.
Finally, the leader’s heart must be included into their every decision along with their mind. Millennials want an emotional connection and strong authentic relationships with their leaders which include honesty; growth and empowerment. They are resourceful if the leaders are willing to allow them to use what they know. The Millennial team members think differently, and they approach work uniquely. They want to be developed with the tools and resources that they are familiar with for their development.
This New Generational Leadership approach is like a car analogy. The approach is nuanced, leading the millennial is more like driving a high-speed standard transmission car through the Swiss Alps. This is a more challenging and engaging ride than an automatic vehicle on a straight highway using autopilot. The leader needs to get a feel for the power of the car. They need to hug the car to the curves of the road and know that their speed is regulated by the balance of the downshift and acceleration. They need to know that using the gears creates the experience of the drive. When the driver and the car are synchronized, magic takes place.
