One of the issues that concerns me about our future is the gap in leadership that has I have often seen in our next generation, otherwise known as Generation Y.

I’m not big into playing the blame game, but because I am in the group that I hold partially responsible for the predicament we are in, I will go ahead and bring it up.  If you are in your 40’s or 50’s, you (we) may have dropped the ball when it comes to the influence we had on the 20 and 30 somethings.

Admittedly I am speaking in broad generalities here, but nonetheless, somebody fell short in teaching leadership skills to the millennials and seeing how we raised them, I guess that makes it us.  Enough said on that, it’s time to look forward and not back.

In my travels to Orlando and Las Vegas over the last three weeks, I encountered two 22 year olds that really impressed me.  This will be a two part post to introduce you to a couple of kids (I can say that because my own kids are 21 and 23) that proved to me that we will indeed, have some solid individuals taking care of us one day.

Sometimes I just walk and think.

Let me introduce you to Ben.  Ben works as a server at the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas.  My wife Michelle, was in some classes so I decided to do what I sometimes do, go walk and think.  If you ever have been on the Las Vegas strip, you know how hard it can be to think.  I decided to stop and get some lunch and Hard Rock seemed to be as good of a choice as any.

I got seated and then this younger guy comes over to me and sits down at my table and says “Hi, I’m Ben, what can I get for you.”  His demeanor alone, told me that he was an A game player.  Very self confident and looked me right in the eye when he spoke to me.  You don’t always see that anymore.

He made me feel like I was the only guy in the place.

He was busy, but made it a point to check in on me every time he went by my table.  I was by myself and I am sure he knew that I was not going to be a big ticket item in his section, but he continued to treat me like I was the only guy sitting out on the patio.  I am alwys intrigued by these young “go-getters” and I struck up a conversation with him.  I wanted to know what made this guy tick.

Turns out that his family had a restaurant back in New York that he started working at when he was 16.  Seven months ago he headed west in search of among other things, some nicer weather.  I asked how he got such a good job so quickly being a newbie in town and his response told the whole story.

He had filled out the on-line application for Hard Rock but knew that a face-to-face meeting could make a bigger difference in getting the job.  He intentionally wandered  into Hard Rock one day and was able to speak with a manager.  The manager was immediately impressed and he had his second interview during the same visit.

Shortly thereafter, he was invited for a third interview and a week later was going through orientation.  So what is the point of all this?  Well to me, it’s pretty simple.  Ben decided to happen to life and not wait for life to happen to him.  (Tweet This)  I wonder how many other applications sat on a hard drive while the applicants sat on their couch waiting for a call.

I will never forget that meal.

Ben said he loves the interaction with his customers as much as any part of his job and his actions definitely supported that.  I think most would agree that going out to eat is more about the experience than the meal and Ben made mine memorable.

At only 22, I asked him what he wanted to eventually do, what were his big aspirations?  His response; he wants to eventually get into fine dining.  I didn’t think about it at the time but I would guess it is partially because he will have the opportunity to make someone’s night out a memorable experience that won’t soon be forgotten.

My guess – Ben will be exceeding expectations in some really nice dining establishment someday and probably sooner than later.  Ben was one of those individuals that you can just tell will achieve his dreams.  Ben, at 22, was leading by example in his respective industry, and making a difference in the lives of those he serves.

THE QUESTION:  Do you have clarity on what it is that you want to achieve?

THE CHALLENGE:  Do something today that will get you one step closer to reaching that dream.

Later this week I will introduce you to Stephanie, who works in the world’s largest Marriott.

***********************************************************************

Click here to get a copy of my Kindle Book “The Manifesto Of An Influential Leader”

Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page. 

Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page

Barry Smith  3/11/14   photo courtesy of amazon   © Building What Matters 2014