Life does not stay static and, most importantly, it should never remain so! Change happens. We adapt. We learn. We expand our perspective and a spark ignites within our minds and soul.

A little dramatic. Maybe. But I am excited about this next, new phase of Thin Difference!

Expanded Generational Perspectives

From the call for applications several weeks ago, new people are being added to the community here. I have always encouraged other voices to chime in on lessons learned and insights earned. Through sharing of experiences and perspectives, we create a strong foundation for the next generation of leaders – Millennials.

Expanded Generational Perspectives

Starting this month, two new writers will join in with their insights. Both are Millennials. We will gain their perspective each month. A third, you already know through our Millennial Momentum series. So, please welcome Heidi Oran, Jeremy Chandler, and Molly Page! Together, we cross four generations.

Heidi blogs at The Conscious Perspective, and Jeremy has written for various blogs on content marketing and other topics. Molly writes in various places, too, and captures great stories of many Millennial leaders here. Together, we deliver expanded and different perspectives all with the goal of inspiring Millennial leaders and encouraging conversations between generations. Through these efforts, we all will strengthen our leadership abilities, actions, and thoughts.

You can learn more about each in the updated About Thin Difference page, but I also asked each of them to answer two quick questions to get things started. Highlighted below are their answers.

The Thin Difference Team

Heidi Oran (@HeidiOran)

What is your biggest lesson learned so far this year?

My biggest lesson is both a personal and business one: I don’t need to have approval from everyone! I’m a chronic people pleaser, and I’ve learned to kick that habit this year.

What excites you the most about the next 10 years?

The past few years I’ve began to understand that each year builds upon the next. As someone who is always looking for new challenges and opportunities to learn, I can’t wait to see where that leads me in the future.

Jeremy Chandler (@jeremy_chandler)

What is your biggest lesson learned so far this year?

Leaders are readers is a phrase that people like to throw around, but this year I realized that if I want to become the type of leader I one day hope to be, I must make the commitment now to develop the habit of reading. Not only is there’s a noticeable difference in my work each day, but I know that the ideas I’m consuming now are building blocks for the future.

What excites you the most about the next 10 years?

I think the thing I’m most excited about is embracing the journey to leadership. The next 10 years will be some of the most formative in my career and leadership experience and my hope is that I steward each opportunity to the best of my ability and learn as much as I can from those that have gone before me on the way. The world will look drastically different in 10 years (just like it has changed in the past 10) and I’m excited to experience it during such a formative time in my career.

Molly Page (@mollypg)

What is your biggest lesson learned so far this year?

In my first year working as a freelancer, I’ve learned that how, when & why you say “no” is just as important to your business (and to your life) as how, when & why you say “yes.”

What excites you the most about the next 10 years?

I’m definitely not a long term planner, so it’s tough for me to think 10 years in the future! But I can say I’m looking forward to being 10 years closer to senior citizen discounts. I can’t wait to qualify for all those seriously cool deals you get when you’re more “mature.”

A great mix of perspectives, introspection, humor. What else can we ask for!

To close this out, I also will jump in with my answers to these two questions.

Jon Mertz (@ThinDifference)

What is your biggest lesson learned so far this year?

My biggest lesson learned so far is this: Tempo is more important than balance. There is a rhythm in what we do, and embracing new things and dropping some old things keeps me refreshed and engaged.

What excites you the most about the next 10 years?

What is possible really excites me. I see open prairies of opportunity ahead, not only for what I will be doing (whatever that may be) but in how Millennials will lead forward. Both are energizing!

So, onward! We will still have guest posts. I will still be writing blogs several times each month. Each of us will bring our best in what we have learned and how we view leadership, engaging everyone to raise the standard of leadership.

Join in. Join us!