The Future is Bright

“The Future... something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.” - C.S. Lewis

Introduction:

I believe there is hope for the Future... and that hope resides squarely with Gen Zers and Millennials. 

1. Don't roll your eyes at me!

Now, before you start rolling your eyes and calling me a community agitator, I’ve hired and fired over a hundred people, literally. Not by sending out impersonal blast emails. I mean, sitting across the table and hashing it out. I’ve seen a lot of stuff. I’ve heard Gen Xers and Boomers say things like, “Those Gen Zers and Millennials just don’t want to work!” I submit to you that there are plenty of people from every generation who have gone to great lengths to avoid working. In fact, they work really hard at not working… maybe harder than if they just went to work!

2. No one wants to work for a butthead

But I would say to those who question the work ethic of the Gen Zers and Millennials… it’s not that they want to work any less than any other generation. It’s just, they won’t settle for working for buttheads! And I love them for this.

3. Raising the bar

They have raised the bar on the expectations of work and career. It’s time we meet those expectations and re-raise the bar to even higher Kingdom-level expectations!

Now, we’re painting with broad brushstrokes here, I’m sure you understand. I don’t want to dismiss anyone’s personal experience. But I have some personal experiences as well.

4. Asking challenging questions

The Gen Zers and Millennials are truly asking themselves and their employers challenging questions.

• “Can I be the same person at work as I am everywhere else in my life?

• Said another way, “Does my work require me to be someone I don’t like?

5. Is a different perspective on this wrong... or just different?

Do your employees see you’re intentionally making a place for them in this effort? How are you communicating this?

6. Business is personal

Business is intensely personal... and to the extent to which you can recognize it, you will be able to meet people where they are and engage their hearts and their minds.

It must be communicated from the heart! It’s not a jingle or a pitch. It must be authentic. It must be person to person, eye to eye, heart to heart, spirit to spirit.

7. Help them see their Future selves

When you can help them see their personal mission and purpose in the work they are doing and connect it and align it to you and your company... well, you will have discovered the secret sauce.

8. The new you... what's your goal?

You will be in a position to quickly rescue key employees from the brink of quitting, reverse unwanted turnover in your company, and become the most sought-after employer of choice in your community.

Let’s do this. Is it personal for you yet?

PEACE