Young professionals are eager to lead, but what does it take to thrive in leadership roles?
This is what Yiqing Lu MATLM ’24 set out to explore when she created the Strategies for the New Generation: Rising Leaders Handbook.
Inspired by Professor Eva Klaudinyova’s course Leadership for Localization Management, Lu envisioned a practical guide for young professionals interested in leadership development and preparation.
“I chose this topic because of my current situation as a recent graduate entering the workforce. Although I have prior knowledge and my own professional goals, I lack practical experience and am still young. These factors made me wonder, what if there could be a handbook to guide and encourage young professionals as leaders in their work? That would be very meaningful,” said Lu.
She started by interviewing seasoned leaders in the localization industry, thoughtfully gathering their experiences and advice to guide the next generation of young leaders.
“All of the leaders I interviewed this time were Middlebury Institute alumni,” said Lu. “I really wanted to interview young leaders who graduated from the Localization program and are working in the localization industry. I believed this would make their insights more relevant, convincing, and impactful for our slightly younger generation.”
Interviewees included Allie Corcoran, Linguistic Validation Client Team lead at RWS Group; Ana Trejo, global manager at Women in Localization; Benzhen Hu, product manager of globalization platforms at OKX; and Dominic (Haedong) Yeo, senior program manager of localization at Therabody, among others.
These conversations became the foundation of the handbook—a collection of interviews, anecdotes, and actionable advice that capture the essence of effective leadership in today’s fast-paced world. After completing the handbook, Lu also wrote a blog post for ProZ to share her findings.
“I gained much more than I expected throughout the interview process,” said Lu. “Each conversation with the interviewees led me to deep self-awareness and reflection. I drew strength from our discussions.”
In the handbook, Lu sheds light on the challenges faced by young leaders in the workforce. Many interviewees reported feeling undervalued, as their youth was often perceived as a lack of experience. This perspective made it increasingly difficult to persuade colleagues or initiate change within their organizations.
[Excerpt]
“Despite possessing innovative ideas, fresh perspectives, and valuable skills, young leaders may find themselves overlooked or dismissed by older counterparts who perceive them as inexperienced or lacking credibility.” Rising Leaders Handbook, p. 14
Despite such challenges, interviewees also showed a growth mindset and strong resilience, offering valuable strategies for navigating these hurdles and turning them into learning opportunities.
Interviewees shared strategies for overcoming common work obstacles. These include having a positive mindset, conducting thorough preparation, asking for help, and prioritizing transparency and communication, among others. These practices also lay the groundwork for essential leadership capabilities.
What touched me most is that after reading [the handbook], my peers believed that even if being a young leader came with challenges, it was still achievable. They were willing to try to become leaders, and this made me feel that my handbook had fulfilled its purpose.
Decision making stood out as a key skill, along with being a visionary thinker and engaging with others through empathy and patience. Lu noted that these traits require humility.
[Excerpt]
“Many endeavors require time and dedication, and rushing through them can often lead to subpar results. Success often unfolds through a gradual process of learning, growth, and perseverance.” Excerpt from Yiqing Lu’s blog post
Lu concludes the handbook with final advice and pieces of wisdom to young professionals: invest in yourself, seize opportunities, and sharpen your expertise.
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