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Hint: It’s okay to say “I don’t know.”

She saw in me what I could not yet see for myself. Could I do what i’m doing now without her? Honestly, no. She loved me into being.

What’s the difference between colleagues and mentors, and why does it matter so much?

Each generation has contributed to our well-being during COVID-19 with unique skills and gifts — and we thank you!

Here’s why you, millennials, are so important right now: You are role models for many in the new generation, and you are far more relatable than us boomers. Gen Zs look up to you whether you are their boss or co-worker.

Millennials, please keep an eye on your younger sibs.

I am celebrating my third anniversary as a Generational Diversity consultant! I am a Baby Boomer who is a huge ally of and advocate for Millennials. This is career number three for me, following careers in community development and higher education.

Those careers afforded me quite the toolbox for activating Millennials’ “passion buttons,” so when I heard that Millennials were having trouble engaging in the workplace, I set out to see how I could help.

My mission is to help Millennials and Boomers break down communication barriers so they can connect — leading to higher profitability and talent retention for businesses and organizations. After taking stock of what I’ve learned in the past three years, I’d like to share these lessons:

Check In Often

Helping business leaders help their millennial employees is a big part of my job.  A Finance leader faced a challenge that goes like this:

“I asked a department millennial to help me prepare charts for a big client presentation.  I told him what I needed and that they were due the night before the presentation. I was shocked when the work he submitted was only 80% complete.  I had to stay up all night finishing the report to meet the deadline. What is with these ‘kids?’  They are so lazy – they don’t even bother to complete assignments.”

Sound familiar?

Well here’s what I know from first-hand experience: MILLENNIALS ARE NOT LAZY. …..

As a generational diversity consultant, I’m a huge ally and advocate for Millennials in the workplace. I am always hunting for signs of what Millennials bring to the leadership table. Dandridge’s story not only demonstrates overcoming resistance to change, but she heralds a new generation of leadership.

I learned that we have an incoming generation of leaders who instinctively know that shared leadership and empowering others to use their strengths to launch initiatives results in authentic change.

Dandridge showed me that integrity trumps ego. I want what she has.