How to lead millennials
Since I left the military, every organization I’ve worked for has found a way to bag on the millennial generation. It’s moved from fad to requirement.
“Millennials are entitled”
“They need safe-spaces”
“They’re lazy, and don’t know what hard work even is!”
“They expect instant gratification.”
“They expect something for nothing”
“They need constant affirmation”
“This is the generation of participation trophies”
I have to admit, I’ve even gotten caught up in the hype a time or two. Let me take a moment, however, and offer you a different perspective on millennials
That is section 60 in Arlington cemetery. These are the brave men and women that most recently died in service of our nation. Millennials make up almost 75% of those currently in uniform. What’s particularly notable about this group is that most of them joined the military knowing that they would be heading off to war. It wasn’t some far off possibility like many who joined before September 11th, it was a factual certainty when they walked into the recruiter’s office, that within their time in service, they would be heading to combat…and they joined anyway.
That takes some serious bravery and my hat is off to every single one of them.
That being said, I’m certain that every generation has had people like this. Every generation has had warriors and entrepreneurs, rich and poor, entitled and humble, brave and cowardly. Every generation is made up of people, and people come in all forms. Pick up a Bible and in it you’ll see even 1st century Jews struggling with these same challenges (the Pharisees were particularly peeved at this new generation of Jews).
I have been in leadership positions for nearly two decades. Consistently my teams perform above expectations and are eager to take on greater challenges. I have led people born in the 1950’s to people born in the 1990’s, and I have never adjusted my leadership style according to the date that someone was born. Never.
Managers that want to blame their leadership failures on generational differences are allowing themselves to use this excuse instead of examining their own shortfalls. Great leaders take an internal look and determine how they can best lead individuals in their teams, not generations. Great leadership transcends generations, personality tests, and even cultures.
There are no shortcuts to great leadership. If you’re struggling with retention, productivity, employee engagement, and remaining competitive in the marketplace, it isn’t because of generational differences, it’s because of poor leadership. If that makes you angry and defensive, if you’re reading this coming up with a litany of reasons why you and your company are struggling with the aforementioned and none of the reasons is YOU, then I have some bad news…
If instead you’re willing to take a look internally, and you want to learn more about how to become an inspirational and outstanding leader then you need to subscribe. There is much more to come on this subject.
-LJF
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