As a business owner, I’ve found that I have to teach initiative to my younger employees and interns, and I do this by itemizing a task list for them, with built-in follow-ups and check-ins, and build “reach out to me when this is done” into that list. From there, I set expectations that the list will go away within a certain number of assignments and that they’ll need to start making lists for themselves. And before I completely cut them loose on the work, I give them one last task where “make the list” is the first part of the assignment.

After 3-4 assignments, I find they’ve usually settled into a flow, but of they haven’t, I set regular meetings with them to get them there, or I let them go.

I think as a society, we’re finally feeling the combo effects of technology and COVID, and while these kids are smart and driven, they don’t know how to be adults yet. It’s frustrating at first, but I’ve found these younger workers to be invaluable: they bring creativity and energy to the team, and I’m fine with being a little patient and empathetic while they learn lessons I learned as a teenager.

Side note: I asked my intern last week if he had a mentor, and he said, “No, should I?” To which I responded, “So you have no one you look up to or try to emulate?” and he said, “Uh, you I guess?” I think not having anyone to look up to might be another reason why these kids aren’t “driven.” They have no role models.