The Millennials are Coming - They are Looking for Leaders.

This quote from Jim Rohn is so very fitting for the heading. Because the millennials are coming, the millennials are coming and as they continue to become a larger part of the workforce, we as leaders will have start to lead again. There idea of a good leader is exactly what we should have been doing all along. The current work force has caused leaders to take many employees for granted. Much of the work force today is doing everything they can to hang on to their next egg. These millennials are not that much different than then any other generation it is that as leaders we have allowed ourselves to become lazy. So I challenge you to take a look at your own beliefs about millennials, because I believe you will find that may of those beliefs are unfounded. What about your abilities as a leader. If you are not growing you are moving backwards so get involved in some seminars and read some books then put into practice what you read. Here are some reasons you should sharpen your leadership skills.

Millennials really want to be engaged in their jobs. If they are not given the opportunity to engage then they will leave, they are not afraid to do that. The reason is because, many of them can fall back on good ole mom and dad. What is there to fear when that door is always open to them. This means as leaders we need to empower them and navigate for them. Leaders say that many of them don't know how to work. We didn't really know how to work when we started either, but many of the baby boomers went to work at an early age and learned skills they could carry over into the work place. Why are you going condemn a person because they did not pick up the skills you expected. They may have them, but have never been given the opportunity to develop them. I know it costs to train, but you can train them and get some great work from them or you can not train them and lose them and start with a new person same challenges different name.

Strange thing about this is most people want to be engaged in their job the millennials are just more vocal about it. In everything you will read here today, none of this is new the millennials have less at stake and aren't afraid to rock the boat. So leaders pull out those books take some courses contact John Maxwell team members, Dale Carnegie or your HR department and let them know you want to get training in those areas that will increase your personal value and the value of your team.

The Millennials want to be challenged. We all want to be challenged I left my last job because they moved me from a position where I worked 9 to 11 hour days, with my hair on fire and I loved it. I went to a job that was barely 8 hours a day and barely kept me busy. Basically I was BORED out of my mind. People that knew me said they could tell I was back to my old self after leaving the job. Most people want a challenge, when you take that away then yes; they will look for something else to do. I know as leaders it is a challenge to get people up to speed but like we said everyone likes a challenge, and everything rises and falls on leadership. Take on the millennials as a challenge you will be glad you did. They will begin to take challenges away from you so you can do more of what you love. When that happens, your productivity will increase.

They do want a place that provides a high level of well being. They want to know the company is involved in the community. Maybe taking on a non-profit as a project and putting some of your millennials in charge of helping. Give them a small budget that they could use at their discretion. One thing that is good about this, is you get an opportunity to see if they truly have a leader working within them. If they can get people to work for them without pay just imagine what they could do with paid employees. That is the markings of a true leader.

What is the bottom line for those of you who have read this far.

In John Maxwell's book "Everyone Communicates Few Connect" he talks extensively about 3 things that people ask - Including Millennials. These things are not time bound or culture bound, they are not connected to a group of people and they work all over the world. Those 3 things are:

1. Do you care for me?
2. Can you help me?
3. Can I trust you?

Long before the word millennial came out of anyone's mouth these are the three question employee's have asked about us as leaders. It is only now with the millennials being very vocal about what they want has anyone taken more notice.

This is pretty simple, you want employees who will give you their best. Then develop the leader within you, as well as those around you and give them your best.