When I coach and mentor emerging professionals, it highlights the universal needs we all share in our early careers – and how we can use them to become more effective as leaders.

Everyone wants to feel valued. Everyone wants reassurance that we are on the right track and our work makes a difference. We want our leaders to ask for feedback on our workplace experiences and how to improve them. We want to feel included.

There is a lesson for leaders there – if you invite honest feedback, you will be more effective at attracting and retaining talent. So, if you want to connect with emerging professionals, remember how you felt in your early career and reconnect with your younger self.