We Can Learn From Them Too!

I know mothers can especially relate to this. We give birth to these tiny, beautiful creatures (I’m a former labor and delivery nurse-they’re not all born beautiful-but we’ll call them that for the purpose of this blog). They grow really, really fast into these bigger, beautiful creatures. Then all of a sudden they begin to shift and the cuddles, hugs and kisses turn into a full-blown battleground between the person who brought them into the world and the creatures that are now on their own journey to find themselves.   I want to encourage all parents that they do return! Wait for it! While in the midst of the waiting stage, parents are just as dumb as they come and beautiful no longer precedes creature. For the most part, my creatures have landed back on earth. We not only love one another, we kind of, sort of, like one another. We’ve even found ways to help each other navigate through the many challenges of being grownups. In some instances they are smarter than me especially when it comes to technology and social media. Sorry, but I have to give them that one. They laugh at the questions asked via our group text sessions. Yes, I want to know what the heck “smh” means. And, I need to know how to create more space on my MAC when that irritating message that my hard disk is full pops up. I know some of you parents out there are nodding in agreement. Our learning moments are full cycle now. It’s not just me depositing into them, they’re depositing into me. In full disclosure, one is actually smarter she’s on her way to becoming a PhD scientist for goodness sake!

As a leader I’m often bombarded with articles, links and other trainings focused on how to lead this generation of creatures aka Millennials. These resources make you feel you’re really dealing with extraterrestrial (E.T.) creatures from a different planet. And, in order to effectively manage them we need some special outer space concoction to truly understand their planet’s norms and culture. Oh, and don’t forget the special in-services to help us learn how to assimilate them into “our” world. At a recent event I had the pleasure and privilege to learn from this generation. The room was filled with the most driven and determined Millennials. These young women decided they didn’t need anyone’s permission to be fearless, start their own businesses, and write ten books by the age of 30 (I know, makes you want to pick up the pace of accomplishing your own goals). After an invigorating afternoon I had the pleasure of speaking with the young lady who is writing the 10 books by 30 (she’s publishing her 6th book now). I shared my dream of publishing my first book (took 7 years) by ___ (no need to tell you my age) and the arduous process I was taking myself through to get it done. I told her how I found myself editing and re-editing chapters just to send over what I thought was good enough for the “real” editor to do her job (I know, I’m a little cray, cray). That’s the perfectionist in me-the one that’s constantly questioning the “enoughness” of all she does. This brave young woman, Miracle Reed looked me straight in the face and called me a thief. Yes, that’s basically what she called me as she explained how I was robbing people of the story that I was only meant to tell.

The Hustle Her Way Summit, the inaugural event founded by Millennial Bombshell, Kyshira Moffett, taught me that we can learn a lot from these younger human beings. I learned that somewhere along the way we (older adults) lost the formula for living the dream. We grew up, drank the Kool-Aid and dared not color outside the lines. What we drank dampened our spirit and made us satisfied with “just” earning a paycheck. We accepted rejection as truth, as if our destiny was tied to one single plan. Kyshira and her fellow Millennials made decisions early on in life that the power to change the trajectory of their lives, was in their hands. They poured out the fake juice and filled the pitcher with 100%, all natural determination. Those requirements we impose, “five years of work experience needed” didn’t stop them. They bypassed those roadblocks, created their own businesses and now you are probably a client. Their response to rejection served as fertile ground, producing fruit and products that are not only fashionable but sustainable. Yes, they’ll work for your company for it will serve as their first investor in their own business.

These E.T.s aka Millennials are here to stay! And, I encourage us all, you know the ones that have been on planet earth just a little longer, the ones who “know” more, take a lesson or two from the creatures that are blazing trails and helping us all to believe in the dream!

Thanks for the reminder! I receive it!