Aaron Huizenga: Ushering in the next generation

Mentoring someone else is one of the most important things that we are able to do with ourselves right now.

If not now, then when?

Who replaces you, either in business or in life?

Is it a person, a thing or many person-things?

One of our roles as leaders is to create other leaders. We can create one leader, which is valuable in and of itself, but we multiply our influence by creating even more leaders, which is far more powerful. See James C. Maxwell’s 21 laws of leadership.

When we as leaders are able to foster a space where we create other leaders who want to create other leaders, that is the space that we should all aspire to operate in on a daily basis.

Personally, I truly enjoy investing in the rising leaders. The conversational interactions that help them grow into an entity that can drive growth, change and engagement bring me great emotional joy. But helping that emerging leader grow while they are helping others grow is another level altogether.

Those who want to grow and take on your role as a leader are amazing, and I would encourage everyone reading this to spend all the time necessary to do just that, but keep a wary eye on the horizon. There are those who have the ability not only to grow themselves but also to help others grow along with them. Those are the shining stars that will require more attention.

These are the people who are the next generation – the future iteration of an organization, if you will. The ones who will take up that mantle that you are passing down and really drive everything forward.

My guess is that you were one of these people at some point, and maybe you are right now, but that fire cannot die with you. That light needs to be passed on.

The big question is, what are you going to do to move it along?

Here are a few resources that have helped me along the way.

⦁ “The 5 Levels of Leadership” by John C. Maxwell

⦁ “Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek

⦁ “Four Thousand Weeks” by Oliver Burkeman (this is personal introspection for those of you who are mentors)

⦁ “Supercommunicators” by Charles Duhigg

Let’s work on your upgrade and help those around you upgrade along the way!

Aaron Huizenga is East Division manager for Lakes Gas in Wisconsin. Reach him at ahuizenga@lakesgas.com.

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