Millennial Leaders

Millennial disenchantment with the workplace is reflected in the fact that  over half of millennials  envisage starting your own business, despite the high failure rate. If this is your plan, remember that successful entrepreneurs cite a healthy disregard for the impossible and good networks as key to success. Social media gives millennials an array of networking tools but not the ability for build highly bonded partnerships. Understand your core millennial values and seek others who share the same values. It is a better use of your time than blindly networking. As millennials  you will have to disprove what is considered impossible. Invest time in finding your core group of millennial partners and build solid foundations upon which to integrate your life and work. Success built on knowing that goals align will generate an energy that will attract the brightest and the best millennial talent.

Millennials are optimistic despite a challenging start to adulthood in the wake of the Great Recession. It is remarkable. Despite concerns about debt, 72% of  millennials have confidence in their future and believe they can achieve their goals. And one day, millennials will occupy positions of power that will affect generations to come. The shock of your entry into adulthood is a grounding experience upon which to build your leadership.   E xamine the challenges you face as relationships between dominant and subordinate groups and evolve effective strategies in readiness to  debunk the old model of leadership. As millennials you seek a more inclusive leadership. The challenge will be not only be to replace an old with a new tyranny and learn to: " use group power responsibly, democratically and in defence of humane values. In this way, we can act together to resist tyranny – either one imposed by others or one made by ourselves. " – C...

As the effects of the global meltdown continue to ripple out, too many millennials are caught in the vortex and struggle with the prospect of failure.  J.K. Rowling has something profound to say to  millennials :   " Ultimately, we all have to decide for ourselves what constitutes failure, but the world is quite eager to give you a set of criteria if you let it  ... So why do I talk about the benefits of failure? Simply because failure meant a stripping away of the inessential ...  I was set free, because my greatest fear had been realised ... And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life." Your expectations for your life  may have been dashed in 2008 , but it presents every millennial with an opportunity. Those who take it,will make good out of adversity.   Let your personal adversity be an opportunity. Take The New Yorker personal economy poll. It's aimed at Boomers but it is just as useful to   millenni...

Business is hip but millennials are wary of a stressed-out, corporate-ladder climbing culture.   Over half of millennials would like to start a business and one in five of millennials plan to quit their day job to start your own business, despite the fact that the odds are heavily against you. But it isn't irrational. Government shutdowns tell you how incredibly fragile the global economy is. According to Tribuna ,  American millennials face the highest levels of sustained unemployment since World War II.   Millennial Spaniards (56%) and Greeks ( 58% ) fare worse.  The unappealing prospect of remaining unemployed or working a low-wage internships inspire many millennials to embrace the idea of being your own boss. You know that an accelerating pace of work and insecurity defines tomorrow's careers. It informs a choice for happiness which e mployers are unwilling to confront honestly.  Only time will tell how a  millennial generation of e...

A Deloitte survey ,  reveals that most millennials  are not given leadership development opportunities in their organisations but opportunities exist. For instance,  millennials   can exercise leadership in a sphere where most older colleagues are intimidated - use of technology. As tomorrow's leaders , it will be necessary for you to shift outdated perceptions of what is possible. First millennials must learn to shape perceptions of what is possible.  The next time you are asked to solve a computing issue,  remember:  "Tell me - I forget, s how me - I remember,  involve me - I understand."   –Confucius As millennials,  you grew up with the computing revolution. In this sphere you are a legitimate leader .    Invite older people into your brave new world and involve them. Learn to build up older colleagues' confidence. Use it as an opportunity to explore different generations' relationship to new...

A recent survey by Deloitte shows that employers are that their efforts to engage  millennials  in the long term is insufficient. Deloitte’s 2014  Millennial   Survey  finds that a cross the globe, 70 percent of tomorrow’s leaders might ‘reject’ what business, as traditionally organised, has to offer.  M illennials  prefer to work independently through digital means in the future.   Barry Salzberg, CEO of Deloitte, urges businesses to respond to the threat and “show Millennials it is  innovative and in tune with their  world-view ” The fact is, over 25% of  millennials  are ‘asking for a chance’ to show their leadership skills and 75 percent believe their organisations could do more to develop future leaders. Don't wait to be given a chance. Read the  Millennial Survey .   S tart to network strategically.    Identify who in your organisation is addressing the issue of millennial retention. Use too...

Performance and improvement are huge issues in organisations. Blanket solutions don't work, yet they persist. Dave Brailsford , Performance Director of Britain’s professional cycling team, understood that it requires a detailed approach.  Millennials  can a lot to learn from his experience. No British cyclist had ever won the Tour de France; in 2012 his approach changed that. His idea simple: “1 percent margin for improvement in everything you do” means that small gains add up to remarkable improvement.  In 2014 Millennials are a significant force within organisations. The model has value for you individually but think collaboratively and it is impactful.  Individually, a meticulous approach self mastery is the most difficult first step of leadership . Ironically,  Millennials  you are regularly accused of lacking it by the same people who appear unaccountable for their own actions.  Self mastery is often depicted as control over emotions...