Millennials have been subject to
much criticism for their workplace skills--like generations before them--but
many are already leading companies, or preparing to. We asked 10 Millennial
founders from Young
Entrepreneur Council to share what they think fellow
Millennials can do to shore up their leadership skills in the eyes of their
colleagues.
1.
Remember There's No One Way to Lead
The myth that Millennials aren't
great leaders rests on the false notion that all leaders lead in certain ways.
The truth is that there's a wide diversity of leadership styles that may or may
not work for certain organizations. We can't just look at an individual's
leadership style--we have to look at the structure, context and values of their
organizations as well.
2.
Spend Time Around "Doers"
Millennials surround themselves with
idea people. While this helps increase our growth, we also need to focus on the
doers who can accomplish the great ideas a business decides to implement. We
lead by inspiration, which doesn't mean we are not great leaders--we're just
different.
3.
Remember that Generation Doesn't Make the Leader
Leadership is born out of
personality and upbringing. It doesn't matter what year you were born if you
have the drive (are you ambitious?), raw building materials (your skill set and
personality) and good influences (mentors) along the way. You've either got it
or you don't--there are great leaders and terrible leaders in every generation.
4.
Cultivate Patience
Sometimes, Millennials have an
"instant everything" fixation. From answers to complex problems to
better software, they want the solution immediately and grow frustrated when
their needs are not instantly satisfied. The main skill set that would be
helpful for Millennials to practice would be patience and acceptance that
sometimes, it is OK to not have an answer right away.
5.
Dress the Part
The Whatever generation looks like
it is full of great leaders to me. The sexism is gone, the judging is gone, and
everyone is free to succeed on their own merits without an Old Spice boss
peering over our shoulders. I think the hardest part for Millennial leaders is
to accept that we're bosses now, and we need to act the part. That means not
wearing a hoodie every day. We need to work on that.
6.
Use Confidence to Your Advantage
Millennials are known for being
brash and outspoken and I can't say I'm any different. Instead of viewing this
as a weakness, turn it around. Leaders need to be the visionaries who will
stand up for their ideas even in the face of massive resistance. To lead a
team, you have to stand firm for the big ideas that you're all working towards
together. Use your outspokenness to get your team on board.
7.
Look at Incredible Millennial Examples
If the goal of a leader is to bring
your team to accomplish their mission, look at Mark Zuckerberg, LeBron James
and Sean Parker. Millennials are starting businesses and leading movements that
change the world. I don't know why anyone would say we are not leaders. Simply
look at the greats and follow their examples.
8.
Empower Your Team to Lead
As a young entrepreneur, I know what
I'm excellent at and where I'm not the best. So I, and many others in my space,
have adopted a much more collaborative approach to leadership. If you hire
people who are smarter than you at whatever it is they do, you build an
ecosystem of leadership that empowers everyone to have a hand in leading and
directing.
9.
Be the Change You Want to See
It's true that Millennials can
sometimes be viewed as poor leaders because they come from a culture of
entitlement. One solution is to not fall into those habits. Be driven, have
patience and showcase maturity. Show that you don't subscribe to that culture
just because you're a Millennial, and be the change you want to see.
10.
Create a Millennial Company
Fair enough: Millennials might not
be optimally geared towards leading a traditional large enterprise with all the
internal reporting, inflexibility and bureaucracy that comes with it. So why
not build a Millennial company? I believe Millennials are best suited (and
better than non-Millennials) to lead modern companies that are values-based,
global in vision and people-first (before process).
