I recently attended a party hosted by a startup run almost entirely by millennials. I had the opportunity to chat with the company’s twenty-something founder and CEO, who gamely answered my probing questions about his leadership style. (“So, you study people like me?” he asked politely.)
What struck me most was the CEO’s lack of angst about issues that leaders of other generations often find controversial.
Here were some of his general thoughts about some of today’s hottest management topics:
- Flexibility: Allow employees enough leeway in their schedules to get their work done and manage their lives outside of work.
- Transparency: Make sure everyone in the company knows the organization’s goals and vision. Communicate a lot.
- Feedback: Provide frequent opportunities for feedback to employees at all levels to make sure people know how they’re doing and to course-correct when necessary. Listen to everyone.
- Technology: Use every technology available to allow employees to work smarter, collaborate better and communicate frequently.
- Fun: It’s entirely possible to work hard, achieve major business goals and enjoy yourself in the process.
While this CEO was admittedly a focus group of one (and the company is still relatively small, with fewer than 100 employees), his leadership style reflects the trends I’m seeing among millennial leaders across the wide variety of clients and audiences I work with.
How do you think Millennial CEOs will lead differently or the same as other generations’ leaders? Please share in the comments!
