256. Send the Elevator Back Down – Giving Apprentices Opportunity to Develop
Manage episode 508512023 series 3310389
In the final of our four-part mini-series on setting up next-gen talent, we explore what it really means to “send the elevator back down.” We unpack the mindset shift from “prove myself” to “create space for others,” and why apprenticeships aren’t just for 19-year-olds: career-changers and “old learners” are in the mix too. We share practical ways team leaders can balance stretch with nurture, invite newer voices into the room, and leave a legacy that you are proud of.
In this episode, we cover:
- Stage, not age: Apprenticeships span first-jobbers to mid-career pivots—see the person before the label.
- Coach first, manager second: How to scaffold learning without overwhelming; build in feedback loops that stick.
- Share the mic: Spot moments to pass the spotlight and help apprentices land early wins.
- EQ in action: Why generosity, humility and self-awareness turn experience into impact.
Listen if you are: onboarding apprentices, leading hybrid teams, or ready to swap solo heroics for collective lift.
Try this this week: In your next meeting, intentionally bring in one apprentice (or newer voice). Offer a clear entry point (“I know you’ve been exploring X, would you share your take?”) and follow up with two questions: What worked? What would you do differently next time?
Chapters
1. Setting Up the Next Generation (00:00:00)
2. Apprenticeships Beyond Age (00:06:01)
3. Sending the Elevator Back Down (00:11:32)
4. Leadership: Creating Opportunities for Others (00:18:10)
5. Practical Approaches for Supporting Apprentices (00:23:37)
6. Call to Action: See the Person First (00:27:16)
257 episodes