Secrets from Ten Top Generation Y Business Leaders

Through the Millennial Leaders book project, we discovered a gold mine of Generation Y entrepreneurs and careerists whose insight inspired us so much we saw the need to share it with the world. This article includes the best pearls of wisdom from ten of the world’s most forward thinking Generation Y biz leaders.

1. Get involved in the political sphere in your community, and when you do, don’t surround yourself with people who are not willing to tell you “you are wrong.” We all need to hear straight, honest feedback and to be held accountable to our actions. This starts by being open to both negative and positive feedback from your inner circle. Nathan Rothstein, Founder of YURP (Young Urban Rebuilding Professionals)
2. During the interview process, examine the business culture closely. Ask yourself “Is it transparent, nurturing, collegial and inspiring?” If you can’t answer “YES” to this question, keep looking for a work environment that will give you the opportunity to be both challenged and supported. Peter Sheahan, author of Generation Y: Thriving and Surviving with Generation Y at Work.
3. Success in life comes as a bi-product of both formal studies and living the rich journey of life. Some of the best opportunities for learning exist in the periphery of your everyday life. Take the time to notice and fully experience everything and every person around you. Ben Casnocha, Founder of Comcate and author of My Start-Up Life.
4. When considering leaving a job for greener pastures, stop and ask yourself these questions: “What am I truly looking to achieve by moving on to this next job?” and “What can I learn by staying where I am?” Perseverance is a skill shared by some of the greatest leaders of our time, and loyalty to a company can yield great benefits down the road, including closer relationships, strong references and the ability to expand your network. Misti Burmeister, CEO of Inspirion, Inc. and author of From Boomers to Bloggers.
5. Each time you design a new experience, product, service or project for a customer or employer, ask yourself these questions: How can I change the questions people are asking me? How can I inspire curiosity? How can I create intrigue? Consider the questions you most want people to ask you, and then create an experience that will allow those questions to bubble up to the surface. You will be rewarded by answering questions that cause you to stretch both mentally and emotionally. Kent Corbel, Founder of Live Experience Design.
6. The biggest secret to landing a great internship, getting accepted to a selective college, securing a loan to start your own business, or acquiring your dream job is taking the risk to apply. If you don’t apply, you have no chance of getting in. Sometimes you may have to apply multiple times to get in, but if you don’t give up, you will eventually get the opportunity you desire. Jason Dorsey, author of My Reality Check Bounced.
7. As a Generation Y man or woman, you will set the tone for generations to come. If you take a passive approach, the next generation will follow your lead. If you take an active approach, the following generation will be active and involved. You have a golden opportunity to design the environment for future generations. Embrace that power so you can set the proper stage for generations who will follow you. Mari Moss, Founder of P.E.A.C.E. TV.
8. One of the best ways to learn the secrets to success in business and career is to interview business owners who have been successful. People love to talk about their business and their road to success, but you first have to be willing to reach out to them and be genuinely curious about them and their lives. Arel Moodie and Bert Gervais, Co-Founders of The Placefinder.com.
9. Developing a business is a marathon, not a sprint. It is a dedication to taking care of the fine details (the little things that count) of your business and being committed to long-term endurance. We started our enterprise in college and have been in the collegiate shipping and storage business for seven years, and our secret to succes is: “We do not quit!” Josh Kowitt and Scott Neuberger, Co-Founders of CollegeBoxes.com.
10. As you begin blogging, podcasting, and vlogging about your life, career or business, it is important to understand that you will instantly have a global voice, so be responsible with the messages you put out to the world. You never know who is watching what you are writing and talking about. DK, Founder of MediaSnackers.com.

Each time you make a decision about career and life, you will have several options on the table, and each will come with both pros and cons. Consider the benefits and the opportunity costs of each decision you make, and if you get stuck in the process, reach out to one of these young entrepreneurs or one like them. It could be one of the most rewarding steps you take in life.

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