Send to KindleI was once asked what advice I would offer to young people who intended to pursue a career that involved leading others. I gave it some thought and realized that such advice would apply to all young people, not just those who aspired to leadership at a young age because some who do not think of leadership now will find themselves to be leaders later on in life. Here are seven suggestions for young people.
1. Don’t lose your enthusiasm. You bring a fresh view and enthusiastic approach to the issues. This may annoy older members of the organization and there will be those who tell you that you can’t change anything, or that’s just the way it is. Don’t let them extinguish your passion!
2. Learn to communicate. That is, learn to communicate as the professional world does, which is different from social media and texting. The business world still likes to see proper grammar and complete sentences. Learn to get your point across quickly and succinctly. This goes for email as well. Also, get comfortable speaking. Learn to stand in front of people and get your point across briefly but clearly. Conquer stage fright. The best way to do that is by being confident in what you are presenting. Get your facts together, know your subject, then tell them what you know.
3. Keep learning. When you complete your formal education, it is very tempting to say, “That’s it, I’m not studying anymore.” But, you must never stop learning. You’ll learn about your job, you’ll learn about people, you’ll learn about the industry and the company. Don’t stop there. Learn about the issues of the day; learn about trees, or rocks, or cephalopods if you like. The point is, don’t let your brain get stagnant. You’ll find that many of history’s great leaders had wide and varied interests. It’s what kept them going.
4. Learn about people. This is probably the most difficult thing you can do, but it will also be one of the most beneficial. In the 17th century, the poet John Donne penned the words “No man is an island.” In those five words Donne summed up one of the most important aspects of leadership. You exist in a complex system and you’re part of a team. The more you understand the others in that complex system, the more you will thrive.
5. Don’t try to change everything — but look for things that can be improved. You and your generation are going to change the world; each generation does. But you aren’t going to change everything, or change things all at once. It’s common for new people to want to change everything as soon as they start in a new position. Nothing will annoy both bosses and subordinates faster. Subordinates may feel you’re trying to change what they’re comfortable with before you know all the details, while bosses may see your desire for change as a challenge to their authority, or indictment of their achievements. With this caution in mind, don’t hesitate to look for things that can be improved. You bring a fresh perspective and a new set of eyes to the organization and you will see things that the more established members don’t. But, be cautious and consider all the factors before trying to make a change.
6. Maintain a sense of personal humility. Chances are, fairly early in your career, someone will help you attain a certain level of humility. You will provide them with the opportunity and they will take advantage of it. There will always be someone who knows more than you or has a talent you don’t. Cultivate them and encourage their knowledge and skills. The role of the leader is often that of the humble servant.
7. Go the extra mile. Be willing to take on things others won’t. Doing this will show more senior leaders that you aren’t afraid to take on difficult tasks and, who knows, that project that seemed unpleasant might turn out to present a new opportunity.
Above all else, embrace your future and its possibilities!
