【Semi-dokyumento: Tokkun Meiki Dukuri】

Millennials are Semi-dokyumento: Tokkun Meiki Dukuriofficially taking center stage. Now the largest demographic in the American workforce, young professionals are poised to become industry leaders as Baby Boomers continue retiring in droves. And as these trends accelerate, Millennials will have a chance to rewrite corporate culture according to their values.

Now is the time for ambitious young people to embrace opportunities for learning and claim their growing professional power. There are countless opportunities to do so — including leadership development programs offered by employers, as well as local or statewide chambers of commerce. These types of programs typically offer broad exposure to business issues, leadership training, and access to influential leaders who could potentially become mentors.

But future leaders can also gain valuable knowledge on the go and on their own terms through podcasts. Thirty-five percent of Millennials already listen to at least one podcast regularly, so the medium serves as a natural learning platform for refining their skills and expanding their worldviews. Here are a few that I think all career-minded Millennials should work into their rotation:

1. “EntreLeadership”

In this podcast, host Ken Coleman interviews thought leaders like Mark Cuban, Jim Collins, and Seth Godin on what makes a great culture. His guests know that culture isn’t just a bland mission statement posted in the office reception area. It’s an ecosystem of human beings who aren’t merely employees; they’re also spouses, parents, friends, sons, daughters, teammates, and all of the other roles people take on in their lives.

The show will resonate with Millennials who value purpose over salary and want to work for organizations that prioritize social responsibility. Young professionals today know that having a fulfilling career means more than slaving away at your company for 40-plus hours a week. They desire jobs that enable them to become more conscious, joyful, and inspired in their work.

Coleman explores this topic on both his podcast and across the EntreLeadership website and advises listeners to look beyond job descriptions and research a company’s culture and leadership styles before signing on.

For a taste of what “EntreLeadership” is all about, check out episode 181: “Chris Baréz-Brown — Escaping a Life on Autopilot.” Coleman and Baréz-Brown talk about the importance of waking up and taking control of one’s life and career. It’s a topic that is particularly relevant to Millennials who are still considering what they want their life’s work to be.

2. “The Chalene Show”

Most Millennials know there’s more to life than work, but putting that knowledge into practice can be challenging. Host Chalene Johnson helps listeners find the balance between their many interests and responsibilities to live happier, richer lives.

Listening to Johnson is like having a one-on-one session with a personal coach, and each episode offers actionable tips for improving work-life balance. Rather than simply offering feel-good platitudes, Chalene tells listeners how to evaluate their priorities, make more time for loved ones, and reclaim some of the hours they spend doing busywork.

One of Johnson’s gems includes “What Success Should Feel Like,” an episode about defining success for oneself. When Millennials determine what they want out of their personal and professional lives, they free themselves from the expectations they’ve carried around since childhood. This enables them to focus on what really matters to them and to feel more fulfilled day-to-day.

3. “This Is Your Life”

In this weekly podcast, host Michael Hyatt digs deep into intentional leadership. He focuses on Millennials’ holy grail: passion, focus, and influence. Hyatt acknowledges that Millennials span several age groups and that some are ascending to leadership roles while others are starting their first jobs. No matter where they are in their careers, however, he encourages them to lead with conviction — in other words, embodying their values in how they work, play, and live.

As they begin to fill the leadership gap created by retiring Boomers, Millennials will need to have the fortitude to defend their actions and principles — even in the face of criticism. Hyatt and his co-host Michele Cushatt discuss this in season 8, episode 8: “How to Lead in the Face of Criticism.”

Cushatt advises that young leaders must accept that criticism is part of the job and that they’re going to attract it no matter how conscientious they are. But she notes that rather than being offended, Millennials can learn from those conflicts and grow as professionals through those instances.

Millennials face steep challenges as they take over Boomers’ positions. But they also have an immense opportunity to reshape the workforce. Young people reject the notion that “workaholic” is a flattering term, that money is worth more than quality time with their loved ones, and that they have to slave away until they’re 65 before they can enjoy their lives.

These are some of Millennials’ greatest strengths, and they could influence corporate culture for the better if they embrace their ideals not only as employees, but as leaders, too. Listening to podcasts like these three will give them the inspiration to follow through on their own best instincts.

Elise Mitchell is the CEO of Mitchell, an award-winning strategic communications firm. She has received numerous awards, including being named PRWeek Agency Public Relations Professional of the Year and a Top 50 Power Player in PR. Elise’s book "Leading Through the Turn" is now available for purchase. Buy the book here.