Have you recently taken a moment to think about who’s got next? You weren’t the first generation to become a business owner, and you certainly won’t be the last.
We need to find a common ground on how we, as business owners, can bridge the gap between our years of experience and the next group of leaders our world will receive.
Embrace Culture
There are often times young adults are tossed to the side because of their strategy of thinking. News flash! They 100% think differently than how we have always viewed the business world.
The next generation of entrepreneurs see things we cannot see and are exposed to different cultures than current business owners do. It’s not always a bad thing to embrace the differences within cultures. It will oftentimes bring a different perspective to the table and can cause a spark in the business world.
If we make young people feel like they are heard and have a seat at the table, they are more prone to welcome the entrepreneurial veterans into the movement of making something progressive happen.
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!