Here's to your real story ??

How can You shape tomorrow????

2024 has just begun. The year lies ahead of us, fresh and full of possibilities.???

We are heading towards an uncertain future, and when we talk about that future, we also need to talk about the youth. They are vital to us.? Because we will need to rely immensely on young people in the coming years!??

Why???

To absorb the massive outflow of workers from the workforce. And because our businesses and organizations can greatly benefit from their fast learning and adaptive abilities, in a world where technological developments, like AI, are advancing so rapidly that they are almost impossible to keep up with.?

And let me tell you, in my two businesses YFK Research & Marketing & Young Heroes , I work with young professionals daily and it is also just very much fun!?

So, it's in the interest of all of us that this group stands strong!?

But unfortunately, that's not the case.???

What is going on????

Recently, de Volkskrant published the following figures: 16 out of 100 young people in the Netherlands experience mental health issues. That's a lot, right? And out of those 100, 40 young people feel lonely.??

These are the employees in your organization!?

Young people feel pressure to make the right choices, to develop quickly, and in addition, they compare themselves daily with others who showcase the most beautiful and best versions of themselves on TikTok.???

What can we do to change that????

And here comes the good news: You as a leader can play a significant role in solving this problem. Young people are not looking for something extraordinary or impossible to do.?

They simply want to be seen—not just for how they look or what they achieve, but truly seen for who they are.???

Your Authentic Story Matters!???

Each of you is a role model, someone young professionals look up to:?"Look at her confidently standing and talking as a director. How will I ever get there?", "Look, he has achieved this, is successful, has influence".?

You have an impact on the next generation that will shape the future. Therefore, you must engage in conversations with young people and tell them the real story.??

Your real story.??

Your personal story.??

In 2024, you can't be a good leader without showing who you are.???

Inspire the next generation???

Who did you look up to when you were young? If you think about it, some people played a significant role in your career.???

?I still remember who that was for me. I was 25, working as a Product Manager at Achmea. I had ambition but honestly had no idea what I could actually do and thought that everyone around me knew exactly what they were doing.??

One day, I was invited to a meeting with one of our executives. That was special enough! A 25-year-old doesn't step into a boardroom every day. I took the elevator to one of those beautiful floors where the executives are, you know, the ones with better coffee, nicer furniture, and impressive artwork. It seems like everything there was designed to impress you.??

And it succeeded: I was impressed. And intimidated.??

But when I entered her office, she said, "Oh, Eva, I have such a busy day and don't know how to handle everything right now. Things aren't going well. Do you want a coffee? I could definitely use one."???

And boom.??

The scary executive, in her nice office, all the way on the top floor suddenly became human. And just like that, I relaxed. We had a great conversation over coffee about her life, my ambitions, and how to achieve them.??

?For me, this was a breakthrough: I was seen and valued, and the executive I looked up to was also "just" a human being and had similar struggles at the beginning of her career.???

And let's be honest; the path to the position you have now never goes without struggle or in a straight line.?

There are setbacks, detours, exits, and yet, it brought you to where you are now.??

Behind the Executive Door: Open Up???

And that's what young people need. Your real story. Because it gives young people a real picture of the world. Not the one where everything online is presented more beautifully than reality. Young people need you as an inspiration because as a leader, you?will?shape their future.??

Are you in? I challenge you!???

The question is: Are you open to it? Do you want to be approachable? Share your real story???

I hope you choose to answer those questions with a 'yes.'???

So, I challenge you in your daily life to talk to people outside your circle, and be open and approachable. Listen. Ask questions. Understand.??

For you, it will be a conversation that gives you new insights, and for them, it might just be like my moment, the one where I came home, thinking:

Yes, I was seen today.???

?So, here's to your real story ??

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