Our team at The Center Consulting Group is energized by investing in young, emerging leaders. And it is not only our staff, but we also have some extraordinarily generous donors who have the same vision and partner with us in shaping younger leaders for the future.
There is a lot of critique regarding some of today’s millennials (those around 30-45 years old) and those in the Gen Z population (those in their 20’s). No generation is perfect, and each one has been critiqued for its flaws and shortcomings, some of which are overgeneralizations. But make no mistake – if you are an emerging leader from one of these generations, we have been amazed at the talent, vision, and motivation that we have seen in the participants in our two leadership programs: Emerging Leaders Initiative (for 19-24 year olds) and Accelerate Leadership Intensive (for those who are first time managers). Generalizations are unfair and often inadequate and inaccurate. If you are a younger leader who aspires to advance, here is the playbook of the top 6 actions to take right now.
1. Discover who you are and what you want.
A few years ago, I met a 19-year-old with great intelligence, an extraordinary work ethic, and a lot of vision. He did not have aspirations to go to college, so he learned about landscaping and construction. By age 21, he had flipped his first house with the help of a more experienced friend and started his own landscape and construction business. He also attended our Emerging Leaders Initiative to discover more about his gifts and vision and learn more about leadership and management skills. Now, he is 25, owns a new home, runs a business, and is getting additional training in another trade. He continues to discover more and more about who he is and what he wants.
2. Find a good coach.
Most people who end up successful in their profession did not do it alone. They had a coach, a mentor, or someone who was further along in their experience serving as a guide. Just like using the Maps App on a road trip, a good coach can help you avoid accidents and getting on the wrong road. I recently met my daughter’s mentor for the first year of her career in the medical field. I thanked him for making that investment in her life and helping to set her up for success. My daughter would say this investment was invaluable to her – and will continue to be so. And in the future, she will likely be able to do the same for someone else. We never outgrow the benefit of a good coach.
3. Shadowing is invaluable.
We often talk with emerging leaders about their uncertainty regarding what they want to do with their professional life. There are so many options, and research shows that when we have an excessive number of options to choose from, we sometimes cannot decide and will get stuck. Internships can be helpful, but good internships are hard to find because smaller businesses and organizations are not well equipped to manage an intern. However, shadowing is less difficult for organizations, and many will be glad to have you spend a few hours learning more about a particular career. Shadowing can help you clarify if that is something you may be interested in or help you rule it out after seeing the nature of the role in person.
4. Delay some gratification now for what can be even better later.
Professional athletes spend thousands of hours in the gym and on the field to earn their seat on the team. Nurses invest four years of their lives and thousands of dollars to earn a good income while also helping others. Electricians and plumbers spend years learning and doing grunt work before becoming a professional tradesperson. I was recently talking with a business owner who shared that several of their experienced and dedicated workers are earning $90,000 to $120,000 without any college education! All of these people have one thing in common – they made short-term sacrifices for the better opportunities that followed.
5. Align purpose, enjoyment, and income.
My dad was a steel worker his entire working life. He worked a mix of days, evenings, nights, and weekends for 35 years. It was hot, dangerous, and monotonous. He had few options, so he did what was needed to provide for his family. Many of us today have other options. The pendulum has swung, and many believe younger leaders have been told to pursue their passions. But passion does not always equate to a successful income. Take for example the thousands of people who seek to become “social media influencers.” The majority of them have as much chance of succeeding in earning $100,000 as an influencer as I have in earning that amount playing for the NFL. It is good to find work that you like, that brings you some satisfaction, and aligns with your values. But it is also smart to be realistic. Differentiate between a side-hustle, a hobby, and a career. The more you can find alignment, the better. But remember, few of us get a perfect alignment in purpose, joy, and income, so be reasonable and flexible.
6. Don’t jump too quick.
According to research, most people will have about 12 different jobs in their lifetime. That doesn’t come as a surprise since I had 7 jobs just between the ages of 18 and 25, but most of those were not “career” jobs. They provided income, work experience, and the opportunity to work with a variety of unique personalities. And they gave me the time I needed to figure out my future purpose and then complete my college education (which I did not start until I was 21). When you are in the early stage of your work life, it is normal to make changes. But it will also reflect well on you if you have a position on your resume with a tenure of 3 or more years. Any good employer wants to hire people who desire to be around long enough to justify their investment in training them. Even in less than ideal circumstances, showing that you will stick it out and that quitting is not your first response can make the difference between getting hired or getting passed over.
Additionally, if you or someone you know would be a great fit for the Emerging Leaders Initiative or Accelerate Leadership Intensive, we would love for you to join us! Learn more and apply at the links below.
To learn more about how our coaches and consultants can assist you in growing your leadership, contact us.
Jay Desko is the President & CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute.
