Do Young People Need to Change to be Great Leaders? w/ Austin Okolo | Lost and Searching EP3
The system is failing us; young people need to change the way they think! But how?
Austin Okolo is an award-winning entrepreneur, co-founder of The Gen Z Club (one of the biggest communities of young people in the UK), and a content creator.
Here are some of my reflections on the episode:
Authenticity Over Conformity
Austin’s advice to young leaders is all about embracing authenticity. He believes that the path to becoming a great leader isn’t about molding yourself to fit outdated expectations. Instead, it’s about leveraging the unique qualities and fresh perspectives that young people bring to the table. By fostering innovation and creativity, young leaders can reframe what it means to be successful, which reminds me of another episode where we discuss leadership authenticity with Remy Blumenfeld here.
Bridging Generational Gaps
One of the standout points Austin makes is the need for young leaders to understand and bridge generational gaps. It’s crucial to respect the lessons and insights from older generations while simultaneously bringing forward new ideas and approaches. This balance of old and new creates the perfect recipe for leadership growth, similar to what we’ve discussed in past episodes on how different generations can collaborate for innovation.
Resilience: A Leadership Necessity
Resilience is essential in leadership, and Austin’s strategies for building mental and emotional toughness are practical and timely. In a world that demands constant adaptation, young leaders need to develop resilience to overcome challenges without losing sight of their purpose. He offers actionable advice on how to build inner strength, which is a key takeaway that can apply to anyone looking to lead, whether in business or personal life. Check out more resources on resilience on my blog page.
The Power of Empathy
Empathy stands at the heart of Austin’s leadership philosophy. Leading with empathy isn’t just a "nice-to-have"; it’s essential for creating teams that thrive. When leaders are able to understand and care for their teams on a deeper level, it fosters trust, loyalty, and ultimately, better performance. This lesson is a common thread that runs throughout many of our episodes, especially when we discuss how leaders can cultivate more meaningful connections with their teams.
For more insights and to hear the full episode, you can find Lost & Searching on all major platforms. Dive deeper into Austin Okolo's lessons on leadership by tuning in below!
GUEST LINKS
WEBSITE: https://www.austinokolo.com
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-okolo
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/austinokoloo
HOST LINKS
WEBSITE: https://sevenjacobs.com
NEWSLETTER: https://sevenjacobs.substack.com
SOCIALS: https://bio.site/sevenjacobs
SHOW LINKS
WEBSITE: https://sevenjacobs.com/lost-and-searching
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@LeadershipDiscoveryTV
ALL EPISODES (Spotify): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ldtv
ALL EPISODES (Apple): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lost-and-searching/id1771369908