Five ways we can all work to empower young people and each other.

Both as a leader and as a person learning from other leaders, I have realised there are several critical ways to empower young people and encourage their ideas. I want to share with you five ways we can all work to empower young people and each other.

1. Listen More

Sometimes I have a difficult time with this one! Too often, we tend to talk more than we actually listen to young people and their ideas. Like in most relationships, the simple act of listening and truly hearing another person’s perspective is so empowering. It is so important to know that your ideas are valued.

2. Mentorship

In the global community, we must value the need for mentorship. Leaders must consider it a priority to come along side young people who also desire to create change in their communities and around the world. Peer mentorship is also important. You are never too old or young to mentor another person!

3. Pass the Torch

Leaders in organisations, businesses and communities must recognise when the torch must be passed on. Young people are leading the way for change. In so many communities, the torch from the “older generation” to the younger generation is not being adequately passed. This point directly ties into the importance of leaders also being mentors.

4. Exercise Humility

As leaders, we must be humble and willing to accept new ideas from young people and others we are working with. We can not always think “our way is the right way.” Empowering young people means being humble and willing to admit and utilise good and new ideas especially when they are better than our own.

5. Give Young People a Seat at the Table

Over the past several years, I have mentored and coached hundreds of young people with real positive outcomes. I have given support to those who have never had a opportunity, those who have been let down time and again labelled, judged and stigmatised. Young people need an actual space at the table to share their views, opinions and talk about the great work they are doing.

These lessons are not rocket science. However, you might be surprised at how infrequently these lessons are being utilised by companies, organisations, governments and communities. Let’s all work together to empower young people and pass the torch of leadership on to them.