Changing Of The Guard: Inheriting the Helm
- nstraza
- May 16
- 2 min read

In Part 1, we named the growing leadership gap: Boomers are retiring, Gen X is stretched thin, and Millennials are stepping into senior roles with urgency—and often, uncertainty.
But here’s the good news: leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about curiosity, clarity, and courage. And Millennials? They’re wired for this. Relational, values-driven, and open to feedback, they bring a different kind of intelligence to the table—one that workplaces sorely need.
Still, it’s natural to wrestle with imposter syndrome when stepping into roles once held by seasoned executives. Many Millennials ask themselves: How do I lead differently without disrespecting the legacy that came before me?
Let’s explore two key ways to navigate that tension.
Two Ways Younger Leaders Can Prepare for the Next Level:
Lead with Learning, Not Proving The best leaders aren’t the ones who show up with answers; they’re the ones who show up to listen. Find mentors, ask questions, read widely, and study the systems you’re inheriting. Not everything needs to be fixed—some things simply need to be understood. Confidence comes from clarity, and clarity comes from curiosity.
Shape the Culture—One Conversation at a Time You don’t need a title to influence culture, but you do need intentionality. Clarify your leadership values. Model psychological safety. Ask your team what belonging looks like to them. Bring changes as a result of listening to your team and co-developing vision. When done with integrity, these small actions compound into culture shifts. You can respect tradition while gently reimagining it.
Remember: honouring the past doesn’t mean replicating it—it means building from it. The workplace and the workforce you inherit will have different needs than those before. People centered-leadership will not lead you astray, it will make your organization one that people want to work for and buy from.
Stay tuned later this year for a special opportunity for emerging executives just like you to rise to the next level with confidence and strategy to not only build your business, but nurture the culture that will ensure success.
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