Millennials Urged to Apply for the Development Experience of a Lifetime

Millennials are the fastest growing leadership population in the world with predictions they will comprise half the global workforce by 2020. DDI’s (Development Dimensions International) most recent Global Leadership Forecast research of more than 13,000 leaders revealed the best way to engage Millennials is to provide the highest quality leadership experiences which will give them the information, direction, personal insight, development and support they’ll need to succeed and thrive as leaders in their organisations. 

With unique learning expectations and aggressive career aspirations, organisations should focus on identifying leadership potential early in this group to nurture and celebrate the future leaders of Australia.

AFR BOSS in association with global leadership experts DDI are on the search to find Australia’s most outstanding young executives.

 This annual initiative, now in its thirteenth consecutive year, awards six young executives with the ultimate leadership development experience and recognition as one of Australia’s top young executives. Mark Busine, Managing Director for DDI (Development Dimensions International) a continued partner of the awards says “at DDI we believe that quality leadership makes a fundamental difference to organisations and ultimately the future prosperity of the country.  We are committed to improving the quality of leadership in Australia and believe that initiatives like the AFR BOSS Young Executive of the Year program help to profile and celebrate outstanding leadership.   

Motivated young leaders in corporate Australia, with strong management skills, good strategic sense, emotional intelligence and an appreciation of the role of business in the broader community are urged to apply.

Who can enter?

Entrants must be 35 years of age or younger as of 31 July 2016 and a working Australian resident.

What are the judges looking for?

Speaking of the experience, Busine shares that “the individuals identified through the early stages of this process typically bring a rich portfolio of experience and track record of achievements. They are bright, articulate and achievement orientated.  Most of them have also developed an astute sense of business. We look for their ability to bring out the best in others. Can they effectively interact with and mobilise team members, peers, customers and other critical stakeholders?” Ideal top young executives are people with a strong motivation to succeed—who also recognise how you succeed is important. Past winners have been able to demonstrate that they can manage under pressure and perform financially but also try to get the best out of people on the way. A good strategic sense and skills as well as emotional intelligence and an appreciation of the role of business in the broader community and society is an advantage.

What are the benefits of entering?

The development experience includes the opportunity to be interviewed by a panel of senior business leaders and participate in a DDI “day-in-the-life” of a chief executive simulation. Candidates gain insights into their strengths and weaknesses as a leader, join a network of successful, high-achieving executives and get the opportunity to raise their personal brand and leader profile.

Why nominate a top young executive?

Finalists from previous years continue to speak positively about their eye opening experience; the opportunity to learn more about themselves, their personality, and how simulating a “CEO for a day” can change their perspective on how to be an effective leader moving forward.

Organisations are encouraged to nominate top young talent in their business and boost a young leader’s career by acknowledging them as an outstanding young executive full of potential and motivation to succeed. “The ‘millennials’ that comprise the majority of the Young Executive cohort represent our leadership future”. Busine adds. “They will be the individuals who lead our organisations and country in the future.  As the demand for leadership talent increases and supply slows, it will be critically important for organisations to identify and accelerate these high quality young leaders”.   

How to Enter:

Go to afr.com/BOSSYE2016 and fill in the online entry form. From the initial entrants, 10 finalists will be selected to participate in a one day assessment simulation of leadership attributes at DDI; and be interviewed by our panel of three business leaders. From the process, the final six winners will be chosen.

Entries close 5 p.m. AEST on 27 May 2016.

 

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Available for interviews

Mark Busine, DDI Managing Director, Australia. Click for Bio and LinkedIn Profile.

About Development Dimensions International

Founded in 1970, DDI is a global leadership consultancy that helps companies transform the way they hire, promote and develop their leaders. DDI’s expertise includes identifying and developing frontline leaders to executives. Clients include half of the Fortune 500 and multinationals doing business across a vast array of industries from Berlin to Bangalore and everywhere in between. We serve clients from 42 DDI-owned or closely affiliated offices.

 

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For more information about the Global Leadership Forecast 2014|2015 research, including 25 highly actionable findings about the current state of leadership, an evidence-based roadmap for leadership development, a scoreboard of 20 common talent management practices, and global benchmarks for 11 metrics about leadership talent, see http://www.ddiworld.com/glf2014.