Oh shucks, there’s a millennial in the boardroom! Well, it’s about time.
Diversity has been a buzzword over the past 15 years, and while many companies might believe that they have ticked the box, this isn’t always the case.
There have been massive strides made by big corporates moving in the right direction, but unfortunately, this diversification is limited to ethnicity and gender, rather than expanding the definition of diversity to include generational diversity.
When we think of the word ‘diversity’, we must be clear that it includes race, gender, disability, age, and different thinking.
Far too often, we see top management making big business decisions without giving the young talent in their organisation the platform to voice their opinions on such decisions. This is extremely prevalent within big media corporates.
Unfortunately, experience is still considered to be the deciding factor that gets one into the room where the big decisions are made. While experience is VERY important, companies must innovate and, in many ways, deliberately break away from traditional ways of thinking, especially in the current competitive media landscape.
But how do you achieve this?
This is where young leaders can provide a competitive advantage and the fresh thinking that companies need.
Since starting my digital career in 2015, one of my biggest concerns has always been finding a space where my content teams and I could fearlessly create with buy-in and support from our seniors. Which, I’m happy to say, I’ve found in my latest corporate role as digital lead at Jacaranda FM.
Proactively creating spaces for young professionals to feel they can take risks becomes crucial, not only for HR purposes but for business growth as well. It also goes without saying that proper mentorship opportunities need to be in place.
Having previously worked for brands where the required risk-taking for innovation was not present, a culture of perfection started to exist. Which led to many frustrations, for a young creative like myself.
According to Celeste Stewart, founder of Bold Curiosity, a leadership development consultancy, leaders need to stop “crucifying” employees who make mistakes. Young people are on the receiving end of this harsh judgement.
Proactively creating spaces for young professionals to feel they can take risks becomes crucial, not only for HR purposes but for business growth as well. It also goes without saying that proper mentorship opportunities need to be in place.
“The young person may understand the technical processes and technology but you need to also know how to run a business when in a prominent position. These skills can (as with everything in life) be learned but if you haven’t had this kind of exposure in the past, it will be a stumbling block,” Stewart adds.
Jacaranda FM has fully embraced this approach to business, and the results speak for themselves. Over the last six months the station has grown its digital audience exponentially, currently delivering engaging content to a unique audience of 900 000+ on www.jacarandafm.com, and one-million+ across the station’s social media platforms.
There currently is a wonderful increase in companies who want to design a structured programme for young leaders entering organisations, but I don’t think the pace at which this is happening is fast enough.
So the ball truly in your court, senior management: Open up the doors to the boardrooms and adapt – or die.
Seriously.
If you are still not convinced, in true millennial style, here is a listicle as to why you need young people in your boardroom:
* We bring fresh thinking – companies NEED this fresh thinking to help them disrupt and innovate.
* We are fabulously curious – we question every process, policy, and procedure.
* We are deeply socially conscious – we want to make money while making a difference.
* We are social media natives – who better to help an organisation understand how to improve and fully utilise the digital platforms.
Renaldo Schwarp is the digital lead at Jacaranda FM. He is also a weekend host on the station and presents a show on Afrikaans TV channel kykNET & Kie. He has previously worked as a content producer and strategist for news and lifestyle titles within the Media24 stable.
