Through Trust Across America, I had an opportunity to host an hour radio show. Generation Y – or Millennials – have several unique characteristics, and my focus was on this generation and how it may change leadership and working principles.

Many of the key points from this discussion centered on two key elements:

  1. Horizontal View – Growth can occur on a horizontal plane. In other words, it isn’t just focused on vertical growth up an organizational hierarchy. Personal and leadership progress can be achieved by engaging in out-of-the-ordinary projects and taking on initiatives in other areas.
  2. Speed of Change – This generation may be impatient, and it may be beneficial in driving change in the way work is done and what is accomplished. Encouraging change to happen at a faster pace may instill new organizational structures and work processes. Agile approaches have been around, but they may become the new norm.

There is a common view in these two elements, and it is a “Horizon View.” What I mean by this is that there is a vision within this generation focused on bringing people together to facilitate meaning and purpose in the work being done. Coupled with this is a view that change is almost always required, and we must be fast and flexible.

Some of this could be viewed with skepticism by previous generations, along with an outlook that Millennials should be more patient and pay their dues. In a simple response, the other generations need to get over it! If anything stands out over the past two decades is that change is accelerating and we need to adapt or be run over.

This doesn’t mean that we must always be plugged in. In fact, even more today, we need to unplug from time-to-time. These practices facilitate new perspectives and refreshed mindsets.

There were many great points made during the conversation. Take some time and listen to our show entitled Trust in Millennial Leaders.


 

There are many topics started within this show that I hope to explore more in the months ahead.

Involved in the show were two from the The Ken Blanchard Companies:  Randy Conley, Trust Practice Leader, and Michelle Siciliano, Project Manager; two from Corepoint Health: Joe Merritt, Vice President of Development, and Erica Olenski, Account Executive; and Kelly Silay, Loyola University Chicago, Master of Social Work Program. It was a great mix of Millennials and two other generations. I am very grateful for their time and insights. This is an exciting generation!

What are you seeing from the Millennial Generation in your workplace or community?