As millennials are entering the workforce, they don’t just want to be a part of the team. They want to lead it. This is in part due to the fact that millennials are more tech savvy and educated than their predecessors. Combined with the fact that this generation was raised with the idea they could do and achieve anything they wanted if they work for it, they are more determined than ever to succeed.
In a survey conducted in 2014 by The Hartford, approximately 78% of millennials believe themselves to be leaders with 63% of them wanting to become leaders in the workplace. They consider leadership to mean being someone who mentors others to be successful, contributes to the local or global community, and achieves personal goals as well. With these areas of focus, millennial leaders in the workplace will have a lasting impact on how businesses run.
Better Product/Service Integrity
As consumers, millennials care about where their products come from, how they’re made, and the working conditions of those creating the product. They want services that are quick and efficient. As leaders, these concerns will be integrated into business practices to create a more open and honest product or service. Whether it means being more mindful of the environment, choosing local vendors, or creating better working conditions for employees, we can expect to see improvements in quality. Add in the use of social media to help spread the word about these improvements and businesses can also expect to see an improvement in reputation and brand loyalty amongst other millennials.
Equality in the Workplace
Even with protected classes, not all companies are practicing equality in the workplace. Gender, race, and sexual orientation are among the biggest inequality factors in pay and treatment. Millennials are prone to being more open-minded and accepting of all people. With them as leaders in the workplace, we can expect to see more policies enforcing equality for all. Women in particular have been rising through the ranks, becoming CEOs, and pushing for equal pay and opportunities. As more than half of millennials who want to be leaders were women, according to the Millennial Leadership Survey, we can look forward to seeing this trend continue.
New Solutions and Innovation
Technology is always changing. The world around us is always changing. Therefore, businesses need to adapt, find new solutions, and continue to be relevant if they want to be successful. Millennials are already coming up with new ideas and are looking for ways to incorporate new forms of technology into their businesses and their lives. This generation has also been classified as the “risk takers.” Being more willing to try some out-of-the-box thinking can allow for a new service or product that continue to move a business forward. The idea, “that’s the way we’ve always done it,” doesn’t work for these leaders.
More Coaching/Mentoring Opportunities
Millennials are all about encouraging and educating other leaders. It’s great to reach the top, but it’s even better if you’ve got a strong team around who are also capable of being leaders in their own right. Rather than simply telling others want to do, millennial leaders are more inclined to roll up their sleeves and take the time to show why and how something is being done. This will also make it easier for them to fill future leadership positions within their businesses as they’ll be able to promote from within.
These leaders are also willing to learn by taking on a mentor of their own. Whether it’s a leader in their own business or one they met through a networking opportunity, this guidance can help millennials acquire more skills and expertise they can then pass on to those they mentor.
Community Engagement
In order for a business to be successful, it must serve a purpose. It should fill a need or fix a solution. For millennials, a big part of that is helping those in their community. Being a leader isn’t just about making money for themselves. As millennials take on these leadership positions, expect their businesses to be more involved in their communities, make more donations, and participate in local and national causes.
While millennials may not be as experienced as those currently filling leadership positions, they are willing to learn. Skills can be acquired. The drive and the passion to succeed, in every sense of the word, is something this generation has in abundance. Whether you like it or not, change is coming, and millennials are leading the way.
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