There’s an overwhelming belief that Millennials don’t take advice from elders.

But here’s a spin on that: mentors are sought out in the workplace more than ever.

Young professionals will turn to co-workers for guidance.

Social media has become a source for recommendations.

For older generations, the concept of following a stranger’s advice is odd, but times have changed.

Yelp is the go-to source for restaurant reviews.

Instagram is the wellness answer to how to stay healthy.

Twitter is the forum to find out the latest sports and news trends.

In the corporate world, companies need to understand this tendency. There is a direct correlation to management style. Coaching is most effective. Why? Because people don’t want to be told what to do. They want to make informed choices.

Look deeper into consumerism, people want to be more educated these days. Take for example, Carvana. They’ve taken the salesperson completely out of the equation. Buyers get the information they want to make a decision and when they’re ready to purchase it’s as easy as pushing a button for delivery.

Social media has become a market research tool to identify what people want. Smart companies know that consumers determine what products/services they want to buy.

Social media has turned perception into reality by crowdsourcing information. Brand ambassadors hold more power than actual companies now because their influence is rooted in a personal relationship. Influencers are technically strangers to most, but if you’re a loyal follower it feels like they are speaking directly to you.

If you’ve ever tried to sell an idea, it’s much easier for someone else to promote it than yourself (insert testimonial here). That’s where social media comes in. Video, in particular, has given your opinion a voice. Never in history has there been a time where your view matters more.

Inspire or be inspired.