Leadership is an essential skill in any greater institution. While some people believe that leaders are born, it is the belief of many entrepreneurs that great leaders can be cultivated. You can cultivate your employees to become the next great leaders by following these simple tips.
Understanding Millennials
The current generation entering the workforce have had their entire lives surrounded and influenced by technology. They don’t remember a time when cell phones, WiFi, and search engines didn’t exist. They’ve acquired their entire intellectual database from internet searches on easily accessible devices. Their curiosity and thirst for knowledge can be quenched within seconds with a simple internet search rather than extended periods of study or research. This has trained their minds to work in short bursts of effectiveness. Adversely, this means that they haven’t been taught patience or perseverance. To groom this next generation for leadership, patience and perseverance must be fostered in their hearts and minds in order to help them blossom into great leaders.
Time Management
Leaders have many responsibilities that must be successfully executed on a daily basis. These responsibilities must also be managed properly along with other daily tasks such as meetings, paperwork, problem-solving, and mediation. In order for a great leader to be able to accomplish all of their necessary responsibilities for the day, they must have a very sharp set of time management skills. In this era of technology, many different options are available for the current generation of future leaders to hone their time management skills. Many of these technological options include mobile apps, video coaching, and online seminars.
Developing Social Skills
This current generation has matured from childhood into adulthood learning how to use computers and other electronic devices as their primary means of communication. Because of this, they can sometimes develop gaps in their range of social skills. This can lead many millennials to become natural isolationists in the workplace since most of their communications can be performed electronically. A great leader needs to be physically present when an employee has a question, concern, or simply needs a word of confidence. Electronic communication, while efficient, is very impersonal and lacks a human connection. Inspiring employees to do their best must first start with a genuine and visual human connection. Creating a human connection with your employees by strengthening your social skills will also give your employees a way to present you with feedback which will prove to be invaluable when it comes time to foster teamwork and unity in the workplace.