Podcast Summary: "Millennials And Gen Zers Step Into Leadership"

Title: Millennials And Gen Zers Step Into Leadership
Host: Jane Coaston, Crooked Media
Release Date: May 12, 2025
Duration: Approximately 12 minutes

1. Introduction

In this episode of What A Day, host Jane Coaston delves into the evolving landscape of leadership, focusing on how Millennials and Gen Z are stepping into roles of authority across various sectors. The discussion is anchored by her conversation with Amanda Littman, co-founder and president of Run for Something and author of When We're in the Next Generation's Guide to Leadership.

2. Leadership Challenges for Millennials and Gen Z

Amanda Littman explores the unique hurdles faced by younger leaders today. Drawing from interviews across diverse industries—including tech, media, faith, education, and healthcare—she identifies three primary challenges:

1. Lack of a Playbook: Many young leaders feel they are navigating uncharted territory without established guidelines or role models.

   • Amanda Littman (02:40): "They felt like they were operating without a playbook..."

2. Defining Authenticity: The advice to "be yourself" often leaves young leaders uncertain about how to present their authentic selves in authoritative roles.

   • Amanda Littman (03:00): "They had been told, be yourself, be authentic. And it's like, what does that look like in practice?"

3. Loneliness in Leadership: Leadership roles can be isolating, with many young leaders expressing feelings of solitude in their positions.

   • Amanda Littman (03:16): "That leadership is so lonely."

3. Authenticity in Leadership

Jane and Amanda delve deeper into the concept of authenticity. Amanda clarifies that being authentic doesn't mean revealing every aspect of oneself but rather being intentional and strategic in how one presents themselves.

• Amanda Littman (04:24): "You have to be your best self, especially when your leadership is at work... That's not faking it. That's strategic."

This distinction emphasizes the importance of balancing personal transparency with professional boundaries to foster effective leadership without oversharing.

4. Navigating Social Media and Personal Sharing

In today's digital age, the line between personal and professional lives is increasingly blurred. Amanda offers practical advice for leaders on managing their online presence:

• Intentional Posting: Recognize that every online interaction serves as a strategic communication tool.

  • Amanda Littman (07:46): "Everything you post online is part of a strategic communications tool."

• Setting Boundaries: Establish clear limits on what personal information is shared to protect mental well-being and maintain professionalism.

  • Amanda Littman (06:14): "Know what you don't want to share. And don't be afraid to hold firm around those boundaries."

5. Encouraging Young People to Run for Office

Amanda highlights a significant surge in interest among young people to enter politics, particularly in local races such as city councils, school boards, and state legislatures.

• Amanda Littman (08:47): "Run for Something has seen more people sign up to run for office than we did in the entire first three years of Trump's first term."

She emphasizes that starting with local positions is both impactful and more accessible financially, noting that most local races require significantly less funding than national campaigns.

6. Overcoming Barriers in Politics

Addressing concerns about the entrenched status quo and the dominance of long-serving incumbents, Amanda provides strategies for young candidates:

1. Persistence: Encouraging words and affirming that anyone can succeed with determination.

   • Amanda Littman (10:02): "Politics is like everything else, the more you do it, the better you get at it."

2. Strategic Campaigning: Focus on areas where incumbents are lacking, such as community presence and engagement.

   • Amanda Littman (11:01): "You run against them. You force the conversation about the issues in which they're not doing a good job enough."

3. Voter-Centric Approach: Ensure that campaigns are about addressing voters' needs and presenting a clear alternative vision.

   • Amanda Littman (11:54): "Any good campaign is it's about voters, not about you. That's why do they want you to win."

7. Conclusions and Future Outlook

Amanda Littman's insights paint an optimistic picture for the future of leadership. With over 200,000 young individuals now part of the Run for Something pipeline, there's a palpable excitement about the potential for significant change in the upcoming elections.

• Amanda Littman (09:27): "I think we've now seen in the last couple special elections, the Wisconsin Supreme Court raised that when we run, we can win."

This momentum suggests that Millennials and Gen Z are not only prepared to take on leadership roles but are also equipped to challenge and reshape the political and social landscapes.

Notable Quotes

• Amanda Littman (04:24): "Your leadership is not about you. It's about your team and about what they need from you."
• Amanda Littman (07:07): "Be really clear about what you believe, know what your values are, know sort of what you want your brand to be."
• Amanda Littman (10:02): "Nobody is born a politician the same way nobody's born a writer or a musician."

Final Thoughts

This episode underscores the critical role that younger generations are poised to play in leadership across various domains. With the right tools, mindset, and support, Millennials and Gen Zers are ready to drive meaningful change and redefine what effective, authentic leadership looks like in the modern era.

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