Leaders, stop lying…you are not ready for us!
Be yourself they say.
Your contribution matters they say.
We want you to bring all of your talents and ideas to the table they say.
Bring your BEST self to the room they say.
If you are like me (an under 35 year old), you have probably heard these and many other motivational statements in various settings- at work, in school, in social clubs and societies. Statements like these are often put forward by leaders; the individuals we report to or work for, individuals who lead initiatives or projects, individuals who we elect to government, individuals who head our families or tribes. Mostly, its individuals of an older generation that in some way managed to secure leading roles and are now leading a younger, fast and agile generation that want to change the world. If you are a leader, this article is especially for you and about you.
You are not ready for us and I will tell you why.
Whenever I converse with young people, three uniform complaints keep popping. Leaders are not ready for we under 35’s because…
- There is no space to innovate or create
Whilst an organization must stay rooted in its core values, organizational approaches should evolve with the times. Organizations should not change ‘who they are’ (unless what they represent is morally upsetting) but should be able to evolve in ‘how they do things’. By organization I mean any social, political or economic structure that exists. I was once in a meeting where strategies of a program were being re-explored. A certain new strategy was floated and even though it was supported by a majority in the room, an organizational leader quickly and sternly shot it down and said ‘this is the way we have always done things’. Of course the room went silent, and that was the end of discussion for this new strategy. This is the way we have always done things is not an excuse anymore especially with these under 35’s. When you say stuff and have a mind like this, it sends a signal that there is no room to think out of the box or negotiate here. Whether the idea is brilliant or not, it simply shows your inability to carefully lead a younger, driven and innovative generation.
This is the way we have always done things means ‘there is no room to think out of the box or negotiate here.’
- There are no sponsors
I think this is obvious but its worth mentioning. Its sad that leaders at all levels are unwilling to invest time, energy and money in sponsoring the younger potential leaders that surround them. If you think a college degree is enough to push a young person upwards in the career ladder for example, then you are mistaken. Which is why I find it pretentious for a leader to front the idea that it was only their hard work, experience and degree that put them in the positions that they now hold. I for one now know, that it takes a sponsor to help you grow in your career, social circles and/or community. Sponsors are the people who will fight for your ideas in the board room, mention your name in social circles, advocate for your sponsored further education, fight for your work-life balance with HR and even mentor you in business, family life and vocation. When sponsors are unavailable in a company, community or society the message that is passed to young people is that they are alone and will have no external support. And yet we expect them to lead themselves and others effectively in the future. Do you see the paradox?
A lack of sponsors for young people in any collective community signals that young people are alone, will have no external support and should figure stuff out on their own even at the expense of their personal well being.
- There is lots of disrespect
You see, respect is not a function of age or status. Respect is a function of humanity and many young people are beginning to walk away from great opportunities because of the disrespect that’s being thrown around by leaders. I have a friend, lets call her Dignity* who had landed a great role two months ago at a forward thinking AI company. As a consultant, she was excited about this role and helped set up a powerful team. My friend thought she would stay on a long time until she noticed that her team leader often used derogatory language and carried a disrespectful attitude towards her and her colleagues. Dignity, who is in her early 30’s woke up one morning and quit. She didn’t even give a reason why. She simply handed in her letter and walked out. And to her I say ‘more power!’. Environments where egoism, sexism, sadism thrive are environments where toxicity rule the day. And these are environments that young people may try to adjust to (when they are passionate) or leave (when the passion dies off…it almost always does by the way, when its toxic). Because anyway, who wants to operate in a toxic environment whether its work, a relationship, club or society?
A culture of disrespect is not a culture self-aware young people will stand for. They WILL find alternatives and move out as soon as they can if that will give them peace of mind.
So, the next time you hear sentences like…
- We support growth and diversity at work
- We are ready to walk with you
- Call me if you need anything
- Your ideas are highly welcome…
You may want to ask that leader to define with examples what innovation or a space to create looks like in the organization, how they sponsor growth for young people and how they ensure that a culture of mutual respect and professionalism is promoted internally.
My assumption is…if they cant answer these three questions then,
They are lying, they are not ready for you!
