Lead, follow, or get out of the way. ~Laurence J. Peter (who gave us the Peter Principle)

This quote by Laurence Peter comes to mind for me whenever I hear leaders mumble, complain, or whine about Millennials.  Too many leaders in the Baby Boom and even Gen X generations don’t want to make the changes or shifts required to lead Millennials.  It doesn’t make sense to them, so they want to keep doing things the way they have always done it.  After all, it worked just fine for them; therefore, it will surely work for generations to follow.  There’s a word for that: denial.

According to Pew Research, Millennials have surpassed Generation X to become the largest generation in the American workforce.  Adults between 18 and 24 make up one in three American workers.  By 2020 (which isn’t far away!), Millennials will make up 50% of all workers.  We shouldn’t be surprised by this, but Millennials are here to stay.

I’ve blogged on this topic previously, but with each year as the scales tip further in favor of the Millennials, it seems to become a greater challenge.

Michael Lee Stallard suggested 3 Ways to Connect with Millennial Employees in an ATD (Association for Talent Development) post.

1. Deliver an inspiring vision, and then practice what you preach. Millennials are much different than their Baby Boom or Gen X counterparts.  They aren’t quite so self-centered (in a macro-context); they want to be part of a vision that serves and/or helps others.  When they see leaders model the way, they want to follow.
2. Value them. Again, Millennials are looking at your actions, your behaviors, much more than your words.  What are you doing to show they are valued?  This goes way beyond saying, “I really value your work.”  We need to show it.  Talk to them, one-on-one.  Get to know them, ask about their career goals, what are their interests.  They want to be mentored; so mentor them.
3. Let them speak. Another way to say that might be “give them a voice.”  They want to have input into the decisions that will affect them.  Give them opportunity to tell you what they see is right, wrong, or missing before you hit the implementation button.  When changes are made based on their input, give them credit.

It’s not an “age thing” as much as an attitude.  I’m not making a political statement, but an observation.  Currently, it appears that Bernie Sanders, the oldest presidential candidate, is garnering the greatest appeal with the Millennials.  It has been said that “Sanders’ idealism and authenticity – and his unvarnished take on their everyday realities” is what’s drawing younger voters.  Sounds a lot like an inspiring vision being lived out coupled with showing Millennials they are valued.

“Lead, follow, or get out of the way.” That’s what I think will happen in organizations where the current leaders are pushing back more than embracing the generation who will be leading our organizations in a few short years.  Millennials are telling us: “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.”  Will we listen?