Have you taken a moment to think about who’s got next? You weren’t the first generation to become a business owner and you won’t be the last. If you want to inspire next generation entrepreneurs, now is the time to step up and support their journey.
We need to bridge the gap between our years of experience and the energy and vision of future leaders.
Embrace Cultural Shifts to Inspire the Next Generation
Today’s young entrepreneurs don’t think like we do and that’s not a bad thing. Their world is faster, more connected, and more diverse than ever before. They’re exposed to different ideas, tools, and movements that shape how they approach business.
If we want to inspire next generation entrepreneurs, we need to give them space to speak, create, and experiment. Different doesn’t mean wrong. It might just be the perspective your business didn’t know it needed.
Challenge
Young people are filled with ideas. These ideas, visions, and dreams represent opportunities for growth. Current business leaders should start challenging upcoming entrepreneurs to dream and come up with ideas that could possibly change the world.
Young minds see less limitations and embrace things that might scare the current business world. They aren’t afraid to take risks! While some of the risks might lead to some failures, they can lead to something so much bigger.
Think about your experience. Have you always made the right decision at the right time? Have you made mistakes in the past? Of course you’ve dealt with these things! Think of how those outcomes made you better, and more successful now.
Walk With Them
Sometimes we are too afraid to come alongside a bright eyed and bushy tailed newbie. That fear comes from a protective place because you think they might affect your company.
Overcome this fear! Welcome the young ones with fresh ideas at the table! Why? Because you have the incredible opportunity to train them up in your ways. If nobody takes the time to teach the next generation our ways, they have nothing to build off of.
Our ceiling should be their floor! They should be able to take our biggest successes and turn them into something much bigger. But they can’t do that alone. They need us to take the first step and allow them to be a part of our plans now.
Consider Their Needs
There is a huge need in the younger business community for education. Most young adults have the dreams and tenacity to become an asset to the entrepreneur world, but don’t have the means to receive an education to get there.
If you haven’t invested in the younger generation by financially supporting scholarship opportunities, it’s time to get in the game! We can no longer sit on the side lines, waiting for someone else to get off the bench. Young people need to know we care about their futures and this is the easiest way to do that.
Don’t let an opportunity pass you by that could change the lives of many people. Chances are, their experiences and education will make or break the business community when they take their next step. You can play a major role in this!
We have to embrace the fact that the next generation is coming after us to take our place. Do you want to sit back and watch them do this on their own? Or would you like to be a part of something much bigger than yourself and help them with the transition? The choice is yours!