Next Gen Leadership - What We Can Learn From Young Founders Today

0:01They've seen the fragility of traditional systems and instead of waiting for change, they're actually wanting to build it. They're not just launching companies for money, they're launching companies for meaning. They don't want to climb the ladder, they want to actually build their own tower.

0:21Next-gen leadership, what we can learn from young founders today. Well, hello and welcome back to Brave Bold Brilliant. This is the show that's all about unlocking your full potential as a leader, entrepreneur and a trailblazer. I'm Jeanette Linfoot and if you've been with us for a while, well, you'll know that I believe leadership is not about title, age or how long you've been in the game. It's really about how you show up, you know, how you serve, how boldly you're willing to build the future. And today's episode, well, it's all about the next generation of leaders, the young entrepreneurs, the innovators.

1:00And, you know, those changemakers were really rewriting the rules of business right now. So we're talking millennials and Gen Zs. Now, they're not just the future of entrepreneurship. They are the present and the way they lead. Well, it's fresh, it's disruptive, it's digital. and frankly, it's deeply human. So let's have a little closer look at what they're doing differently and what we can learn from them, no matter where we are in our journey. So let's break this down. First of all, why this shift matters right now? Well, let's start here. Now, according to a recent report from Exploding Topics, more than 62 % of Gen Zs say they want to start their own business.

1:49Millennials? Well, many of them already have. In fact, millennials are now responsible for nearly half of all businesses that start globally. That's not a trend, it's a movement. And when we ask why this is happening, the answer isn't just they're ambitious, it's much deeper than that, right? These young leaders, they've come of age during massive uncertainty, the 2008 financial crisis, the pandemic, social unrest, environmental emergencies, and now, of course, you know, the rise of AI. They've seen the fragility of traditional systems. And, you know, instead of waiting for change, they're actually wanting to build it.

2:26You know, they're not just launching companies for money, they're launching companies for meaning. You know, they don't want to climb the ladder. They want to actually build their own tower, you know with open floors shared equity and the rooftop garden so the second point you know what are the traits that define next gen leaders so what sets these young founders apart well the first one is that they're digital as a native language now let's be honest most of us had to learn digital tools you know but this new wave well they were born swiping right they build brands on TikTok, they sell through Shopify, they automate marketing with AI and talk to their audience on Discord and Instagram.

3:11You know, tech isn't a strategy for them, it's just oxygen. You know, and what does that mean for leadership? Well, it means constant communication, adaptability, and a real-time feedback loop with their audience. The second part is that transparency is not optional. Gone are the days of polished press releases and scripted CEOs. Today's young leaders, they're pulling back the curtain. They're showing the highs, the lows, the ugly moments, the burnout, the breakthroughs. They're really showing the humanity behind the hustle. If you look at someone like Emma Greed, the powerhouse behind brands like Good American and skims.

3:52Though technically not Gen Z, her storytelling and transparency resonate deeply with the next generation. She's building multi-million pound brands by staying real. And then the third point, that purpose-first profit following. For next-gen founders, social and environmental impact is not a nice-to-have. It's non-negotiable. Brands like Taller by Grace Beverley or Allbirds by Joey Zillwinger and Tim Brown didn't just add sustainability in later, they started with it. Their business models are built around responsibility. They're growing fast and profitably because consumers trust. They trust that their values are real.

4:36So let's go into segment three of this. Four lessons we can all apply today. Now, if you're like me and you've been in business for a while, you might be wondering, went, okay, Jeanette, well, you know, I'm inspired, but how do I apply this to what I'm already doing? Well, it's a great question. So I wanted to give you here four key tangible takeaways. So the first one is, you know, you've got to embrace experimentation, let go of perfection, try faster, fail faster, learn faster. And, you know, ask yourself, what's one thing I've been waiting to perfect before launching? Can you launch a beta version this month?

5:13Number two, Two, elevate your brand story. People buy from people. Can you be more visible, more human, more authentic in how you show up online? Let people see your mission, not just your product. The third thing I would say is, you know, building purpose. What's the deeper reason your business exists? Come back to the why. It's not that about us on your website, but it's the soul of your company. If someone read your mission, would they absolutely feel it? Number four, what you can do, collaborate across generations. Don't just mentor young talent, partner with them, co-create, share the mic, tap into their insights.

5:53It's not just generous, it's actually smart. So let's get into segment four. I want to talk about the real stories of next-gen brilliance. So let's spotlight a few more. Alina Morse, founder of Zoli Candy. she started her sugar-free candy company at nine years old. Her products are now in Whole Foods and Target across the US. Fred and Farid, a creative duo from Paris, have built a global advertising empire by hiring only digital creators and giving them full creative freedom. And one of my favourites, Rachel Zietz, who founded Gladiator Lacrosse at 13. By 20, she had multi-million dollar revenues and was mentoring other young women in sports-based entrepreneurship.

6:35You know, these aren't unicorns. These are young people with bold ideas, digital fluency, you know, and a refusal to wait for permission. So there's so much going on. As we move into this next segment, segment five, I hope you're writing this down, get some notes down. Reflect and refrain. You know, let's take a breath here. Leadership's evolving. It's faster. It's messier. It's more collaborative. And if we're honest, it's more exciting than ever. So I want to ask you, what can you unlearn? What fresh perspective can you invite into your business? What old belief is no longer serving you in this new era of leadership?

7:14You know, because here's the truth. If we keep our minds open, this next generation won't just inspire us. They'll actually help us become even braver, even bolder and even more brilliant. You know, so as we reflect on the power of next gen leadership, one thing is crystal clear. This new wave of entrepreneurs isn't just building businesses. They're building movements. You know, they're unafraid to challenge the system. We think what's possible and lead with vision, values and velocity. You know, and that's exactly what we celebrate here at Brave Bold Brilliant. You know, because it's by it's being brave.

7:55it's about daring to do stuff differently. Being bold is about stepping into rooms you weren't invited to and owning your space. And of course, brilliant is about showing up fully with heart, with clarity and with impact. So if this episode lit a fire in you, or it might have reminded you of the fire you already carry, don't keep it to yourself. Share it with someone who's ready to lead in their own way. hit subscribe so you never miss an episode it's designed to stretch your thinking and elevate your game and if you're part of the Gen Z wave drop us a message we want to hear what bold moves you're making the future isn't something we wait for it's something we build together so until next time stay brave, stay bold and stay brilliant I really hope you've enjoyed this episode of Brave Bold Brilliant.

8:57Remember, check out our new website, www.brave-bold-brilliant.com. You're going to find loads of resources on there that's going to help you with your leadership journey and with the businesses that you're trying to scale up and grow. So take care, everyone. And remember, there are no limits to your growth, but it is by being brave and bold that you're going to unlock your brilliant.

9:23Thank you.