The time has come. Millennials are reaching an age where they’re now assuming leadership positions. As a generation that’s arguably gotten a bad rap for being overconfident and under-qualified, the oncoming millennial takeover is concerning to some employers. And while some fail to see the leadership skills of this demographic, we can tell you one thing: millennials have unique attributes that make them excellent leaders. They might have different qualities than their older counterparts, but this doesn’t make them bad for business. In fact, millennials could be among your team’s greatest assets.
Here are seven reasons millennials make great leaders in the workplace:
Tech Savvy, Innovative, and Adaptable
This generation has lived in a world that is changing faster than ever before. Case in point: they’ve been using iPhones for 10 years and have already seen six models! This adaptability can often translate into a strong propensity for change in the workplace–whether that’s learning a new software program or suggesting a newer, more efficient way of completing a task.
Filled with Entrepreneurial Spirit
According to a survey in Reason Magazine, 55% of millennials said they would like to start their own business one day. Taking advantage of that entrepreneurial mindset can drive innovation and problem solving on your team.
Motivated
No other generation has graduated into higher unemployment rate than millennials. For the most part, they are educated, in debt, and actively searching for positions that will enable them to climb the career ladder in some way. They are hungry to make back the money they spent on their education, meaning they are eager to succeed at leadership opportunities they earn.
Eager to Lead
As the youngest generation in the workforce today, millennials know they have a lot to prove and they’re not afraid to work for it. This generation is motivated by the prospect of promotions or heading up big projects, so they’ll be sure to bite at any potential opportunities to serve the team in a big way.
Transparent
They’ve grown up in the age of social media with virtually every part of their lives posted to the internet for friends and strangers to see. This sense of awareness and importance around transparency also translates to work life. Millennials know that their actions, both personally and professionally, are being watched by their superiors and they strive to keep an open and honest line of communication.
Open to Feedback
Millennials realize that they are lacking in a few areas – namely experience and skill, but they are eager to gain that experience and learn those skills from mentors and colleagues. They crave regular feedback from their superiors. Rather than wait for their end-of-year review, they generally prefer to ask questions and check on the status of things as they go. This is a wonderful quality in leaders because it helps superiors evaluate progress as the project progresses, saving time and resources.
Fearless
Millennials are not afraid to take a challenge head-on–whether it be pitching an idea to a superior when given the chance, or offering to tackle a new big project. This is a great quality in leadership. Leaders cannot be the ones who never question the logic, efficiency, or profit of a task they are given, and millennials love taking on big questions.
The good news is that these already positive millennial characteristics will continue to grow as they begin to move into leadership positions and gain more real-world experience. With higher stakes than previous generations, they’ve got a lot to prove and a lot to lose, making them extra motivated and eager to please employers.
