AI Threatening Your Livelihood As An Older Millennial? Position Yourself In Thought Leadership

Thought leadership has been a top buzz word for over two decades, and the need continues as the global job market continues to be more competitive. At each quarter of our lives, millennial women are tasked with leveling up.

For those of us older millennials, in the second or third quarter from ages 36 to 44, the pivot pressure is real. 

Many of us are quitting jobs — starting businesses or side hustles to find financial security and freedom — while others are finding ways to reinvent themselves within corporate environments. The ambition is definitely there — as is very evident with the research dispelling the millennial “lazy girl job” myth — and older millennials want to continue climbing corporate ladders and breaking glass ceilings.

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to pose an additional threat, as a recent report showed almost 40% of business leaders indicated millennials face the highest risk of “AI-driven job displacement.”

So, how do we, the senior millennials on the yard, combat the challenges, especially that of AI? We position ourselves as thought leaders and subject matter experts. 

We have unique knowledge and grit after surviving  the 2008 financial crisis, innovating in the early aughts tech boom, and rebounding even with the rise of gig economy and remote work. Our lived experiences range from the days of punching buttons on street-side pay phones and pinging pagers, to using the first word processors, Sidekicks and Blackberrys, all the way up to the latest iPhones, Alexas, and ChatGpt innovations.

Thought leadership involves having the expertise and depth of knowledge on a particular topic, method, or process that is unique and valuable. People look to thought leaders as reliable sources of perspective and vision and as a thought leader you are able to use those things to influence others toward dynamic action. Being positioned as a thought leader also boosts your credibility in your field and shows you can be trusted as a leader. With many older millennials getting into management,VP, or entrepreneurship roles, this is very important.

From iconic singer Beyonce to best-seller author and speaker Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, to scholar of critical race theory, Kimberlé Crenshaw, to Canva CEO and co-founder Melanie Perkins — these women are thriving in a niche industry or topic area and it has been key to their professional success.

AI doesn’t offer the unique real-life experiences that inform the rich boldness of Beyonce’s performances, nor the brand credibility she’s built over three decades. And while it’s a great tool for automating tasks like creating outlines for books, speeches, and business plans, it can’t eloquently offer specific, relatable and actionable solutions to fight racism, sexism, and access, nor can it manage or lead those projects the way the aforementioned women uniquely can.

Entrepreneurs like Jackie Aina use YouTube to become thought leaders — with her sweet spot being Black beauty, cosmetics and social issues — leading to more credibility to launch successful brands. 

Experts also recommend posting regularly on LinkedIn, sharing blogs via your own website, and volunteering for speaking engagements or opportunities to train within your company or industry.

Get those certificates and advanced degrees if necessary, have conversations with your younger coworkers or teams, and keep up with trends in your industry by attending conferences and subscribing to newsletters.

Utilize free learning resources on AI such as Google AI for Everyone,  Harvard University’s CS50 Introduction to Computer Science, or IBM’s AI Foundations for Everyone specialization through Coursera.

Have you boosted revenues, led initiatives for talent acquisition and retention through top-level management strategy, or served as an entrepreneur for a new line of business? Document those numbers via a portfolio, spreadsheet or other applicable means that’s fitting for your industry. Numbers don’t lie, and again, your actual positive flesh-and-blood impact on folk can’t be replicated by AI.

As AI continues to be used and embraced by corporate leaders and consumers alike, it’s important not to see it as an enemy but as an asset. As senior millennials, we still have a lot to offer companies as well as the people they serve, and with these tips you can thrive in that fourth-quarter run to continue fulfilling your purpose.