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4 Important Values You Will Need When You Coach Millennials

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4 Important Values You Will Need When You Coach Millennials

When you become a manager or supervisor, one of your most important roles would be to become a coach.

Instead of just administrative or managerial tasks; you are now in charge of motivating and inspiring another employee. Coaching a millennial seems easy enough, until you realize that they are impulsive, impatient, and unruly.

Still, they are your company’s greatest assets. A millennial’s drive to succeed and win against all odds is exactly what your business needs in this overly competitive world.

But how can you steer them in the right direction?

Let these four core values be your guide.

 

1. True listening

They say true listening consists of 90 percent body language and 10 percent words. It requires the listener to observe what the other person is ‘not saying’.

That means paying attention to small details such as shoulder shrugs, head tilts, downcast eyes, and neck rubs.

Remember: millennials are proud. They want to appear strong and independent. So they won’t be so quick in admitting that they have a problem (especially when it comes to work).

For example, an employee apologizes for low performance for the previous month. Don’t just focus on words; listen to his body language. Does he look sad? Is his voice worried?

Maybe he’s having personal problems that he’s not telling. Paying attention to non-verbal cues is a priceless skill to have when dealing with any employee.

“If you make listening and observation your occupation, you will gain much more than you can by talk.” – Robert Baden-Powell

2. Empathy

Don’t confuse sympathy with empathy. The latter is broader and more difficult to put into action. However, it is a necessary skill if you want to successfully relate to others.

For example, one of your employees may have trouble dealing with tasks because she is going through a divorce.

Don’t just offer a simple ‘I’m sorry to hear that…’ or ‘It’s going to be alright…’. If you want to be an empathetic coach, you need to put yourself in that person’s shoes to help her overcome her problem.

It’s more than just offering kind words. Sometimes, you need to wait a while before that person would open up to you, but take the initiative.

As coach, it is your responsibility to help employees deal positively with their fears and/or troubles. Listen, then come up with solutions together by seeing the situation through your millennial’s eyes.

 

3. Trust

Millennials want to feel that they are a part of something huge. However, you’re not yet sure whether you want to hand them that big project just yet.

Instead of throwing them into open waters, let them gradually swim into shallower parts first; with trust.

For example; if you don’t want them to spearhead a client’s website campaign, at least allow them to pitch in ideas.

Don’t constantly breathe down their necks, either. Relax, set a deadline, ask for progress, then provide feedback and/or rewards when results are met.

When you show that you trust them, millennials are more confident to bring out their best.

“The glue that holds all relationships together- including the relationship between the leader and the led is trust, and trust is based on integrity.” – Brian Tracy

4. Flexibility

One thing that turns off millennials is lack of freedom. They often hop from one job to another because they are looking for a great career that lets them live out their lives at the same time.

So don’t make them feel tied to their desks between 9 to 5. Instead, follow up that trust by being flexible.

How? Offer them choices.

If you have an active employee for example, direct that energy into a community-based project OR let her try a new skill.

Serve various activities.

Play up the routine by dishing out new duties from time to time. If your millennial wants to attend another function, compromise so she has time to finish all her tasks, without missing that important event.

4 Important Values You Will Need When You Coach Millennials
It’s not easy handling millennials. I should know, I have an office full of them! They are unpredictable, often disorderly, and need frequent feedback.

But I cannot imagine a campaign without them. It’s their limitless energy, curiosity, and thirst for knowledge that keeps my company active.

So to keep all of us happy, I employ those four core values and insert a bit of fun every now and then.

At the end of the day, coaching a bunch of impatient millennials is not only rewarding, it’s an achievement in itself.

Have these values helped you? What values would you add to this list?

Al Gomez is a Digital Marketing Consultant at Dlinkers and Sagad. With more than twelve years of digital marketing experience in search engine optimization, paid search and email marketing, he has contributed to a variety of online publications including Moz, Semrush and Wordtracker.

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Startups

15 Business Lessons From Napoleon’s Playbook

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Business Lessons and strategies from Napoleon Bonaparte for Entrepreneurs and CEO's
Image Credit | Joel Brown

Unleash your business potential by harnessing Napoleon’s strategic genius.

From dreaming big and thinking bold to moving fast and staying agile, these time-tested tactics are your blueprint for success.

Learn how creative leadership, detailed planning, and relentless execution can transform your business landscape. Boost morale, lead with clarity, and embrace hard work to conquer your industry.

Don’t just survive—thrive with the power of Napoleon’s lessons.

Here are 15 Powerful Lessons You Can Learn From Napoleon Bonaparte

 

1. Dream Big, Think Bold

Napoleon wasn’t just playing small; he believed that “Imagination rules the world.” In the business world, boldness and creativity are game-changers. Don’t just aim to fit in—push boundaries and set ambitious goals that make you stand out.

Think of Steve Jobs, who didn’t just want to make computers; he wanted to revolutionize entire industries. Your vision should be so grand it almost feels unreachable. When you dream big, you inspire those around you to believe in the impossible and work together to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

2. Move Fast, Stay Agile

Napoleon’s quick and secretive moves gave him an edge. In business, you gotta be nimble. Adapt quickly, move fast, and you’ll often find yourself ahead of the game, capturing opportunities your competitors miss.

Companies like Amazon and Tesla thrive because they constantly innovate and pivot when needed. Speed is your friend; it allows you to react to market changes and customer demands faster than the competition, ensuring you remain relevant and ahead of the curve.

3. Creative Leadership

Napoleon thrived on chaos and wasn’t afraid to switch things up. Unlike rigid leaders, he was flexible and adaptive. In business, embrace change and let chaos work for you. Being adaptable can turn unpredictable situations into opportunities.

Think of how Netflix transitioned from DVD rentals to a streaming giant. Flexibility and creativity in leadership allow you to navigate through turmoil and emerge stronger, transforming challenges into stepping stones.

 

4. Organize Like a Pro

Napoleon’s mind was like a supercomputer, processing vast amounts of info to make smart moves. Businesses should do the same—stay organized, use real-time data, and adapt strategies based on fresh insights to keep that competitive edge.

Utilize modern tools like CRM systems, analytics software, and AI to manage information efficiently. Staying organized and informed means you can make better decisions, foresee potential issues, and react promptly.

 

5. Keep It Simple

Napoleon knew the power of simplicity. Overcomplicating things can bog you down. In business, streamline processes and focus on what truly matters to hit your goals efficiently.

Apple’s product design philosophy under Jobs was about simplicity and user-friendliness.When you remove unnecessary complexity, you reduce errors, speed up processes, and make it easier for your team to focus on what’s important, driving efficiency and effectiveness.

 

6. Execute Relentlessly

Once Napoleon decided on a course of action, he went all in. In business, once you pick a direction, pursue it with full commitment. Execution is where success is truly made.

Look at how Elon Musk commits to his vision for SpaceX and Tesla. Relentless execution means overcoming obstacles, staying focused on your goals, and not getting distracted by setbacks. It’s the determination and persistence in execution that ultimately leads to triumph.

 

7. Play to Your Strengths

Napoleon only fought battles he knew he could win. In business, focus on your strengths and avoid head-to-head fights in areas where you’re weak. Know your advantages and leverage them.

Microsoft leverages its strength in software development and cloud services rather than trying to compete directly in hardware. Understanding and maximizing your strengths ensures you play a game you can win, using your unique capabilities to outshine competitors.

 

8. Plan in Detail

Napoleon planned for every possible scenario. Businesses should do the same—conduct thorough planning and prepare for various outcomes.

Detailed planning helps you stay ready for anything. Scenario planning and SWOT analysis are tools that can help you foresee different futures and prepare accordingly. When you’re prepared for multiple scenarios, you can adapt smoothly and continue to drive forward, no matter what challenges arise.

 

9. Seize Opportunities

Napoleon saw luck as the ability to capitalize on accidents. In business, be prepared and ready to grab unexpected opportunities. Agility is key.

Companies like Uber and Airbnb seized gaps in the market by being ready to pounce on opportunities when they arose. Always be on the lookout for opportunities, and when they come, don’t hesitate. Preparation and readiness to act quickly can turn unexpected moments into major breakthroughs.

 

10. Learn from the Past

Napoleon studied the greats who came before him. Entrepreneurs should always be learning from the successes and failures of others. History is full of lessons waiting to be applied.

Warren Buffett is famous for studying businesses and market histories. By learning from the past, you can avoid repeating mistakes, understand what works, and build on proven strategies. Continuous learning from history helps refine your strategies and improve decision-making.

 

11. Boost Morale

Napoleon knew how to keep his troops motivated. Business leaders should do the same—keep your team inspired and engaged. High morale leads to high productivity.

Companies like Google and Salesforce invest heavily in employee well-being and motivation. When your team feels valued and motivated, they are more productive, innovative, and loyal. High morale fosters a positive work environment where people are excited to contribute and excel.

 

12. Lead with Clarity

Napoleon believed in the power of a strong, decisive leader. In business, clear direction and strong leadership are crucial. Ensure everyone knows the plan and follows it.

Leaders like Jeff Bezos provide a clear vision and direction, ensuring their teams know what they’re working towards. Clear, decisive leadership aligns your team, fosters trust, and drives coordinated efforts towards achieving your business goals.

 

13. Reflect on Failures

Napoleon analyzed both his wins and losses. Businesses should review their successes and failures to keep improving. Learn from mistakes to avoid repeating them.

Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates emphasizes the importance of learning from failure in his book Principles. By conducting post-mortems, you can understand what went wrong, make necessary adjustments, and continuously refine your strategies to avoid future pitfalls and drive success.

 

14. Action-Oriented

Napoleon was all about turning thoughts into actions. In business, decisiveness and execution are vital. Don’t just plan—act on those plans with energy and determination.

Entrepreneurs like Richard Branson embody this principle by constantly moving from ideas to actions. Action orientation ensures that you don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis but instead drive forward, making things happen and turning visions into reality.

 

15. Embrace Hard Work

Napoleon lived and breathed work, saying, “Work is my element; I am born and built for work.”

In business, a strong work ethic and relentless dedication are key to success. Think of how Howard Schultz rebuilt Starbucks through sheer hard work and determination. Embracing hard work means being willing to put in the necessary effort, staying dedicated to your mission, and continuously pushing towards your goals, no matter the challenges.

 

By implementing these lessons from Napoleon, businesses can sharpen their strategies, strengthen leadership, and execute with precision, driving sustained success.

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Startups

How to Manage Your Startup’s Finances More Efficiently

No matter how groundbreaking your product or service, your startup could quickly be on shaky ground without proper financial management

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managing your startups finances

Running a triumphant startup requires juggling numerous responsibilities. From managing operations and coordinating with team members to developing innovative marketing strategies and nurturing relationships with clients, the to-do list seems endless. (more…)

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5 Strategic Power Moves to Successfully Build Your Empire

Transitioning from idea to empire is a journey of strategic planning, execution, and constant evolution

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how to build your empire

The journey from a fledgling idea to a thriving empire is both exhilarating and daunting. The Startup Launchpad is not just a process but also a strategic framework that enables visionary entrepreneurs to become market leaders. This framework comprises five power moves, each a critical steppingstone in building a successful business.

These moves—Ideation, Business Plan, Online Presence, Strategic Marketing, and Launch and Growth—are the blueprint for turning aspirations into achievements. (more…)

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Startups

How to Avoid Startup Clichés and Buzzwords When Pitching Investors

Using jargon can make you sound like you’re trying to fill space instead of providing meaningful data

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Entrepreneurs frequently seek startup funding through a variety of channels. Yet, none seem as challenging as successfully pitching to experienced investors. After all, investors are pressed for time and eager for opportunities. These characteristics make it challenging to motivate them, especially if you’re bombarding them with a pitch full of jargon. (more…)

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