021: Rethinking Leadership: Connecting with Gen Z's Agency and Diversity

In this episode of Generations at Work, host Susan Davis and guest Dr. Tim Elmore explore key insights from Dr. Elmore's upcoming book, The Future Begins with Z, focusing on how Generation Z is shaping the modern workplace. They discuss Gen Z's unique blend of agency and anxiety, increasing workplace diversity, evolving gender and identity perspectives, and the generation's entrepreneurial mindset. Through engaging stories and research-backed predictions, Dr. Elmore encourages leaders to move beyond frustration, foster curiosity, and embrace the "masterpiece inside" Gen Z employees by shifting from control to connection and from telling what to do to sharing why. Packed with practical leadership shifts and eye-opening anecdotes, this episode offers valuable guidance for anyone looking to bridge generational gaps and harness the potential of younger team members.  Equip the next generation in the workplace with Dr. Tim Elmore's guide, The Future Begins With Z: https://www.timelmore.com/the-future-begins-with-z/?el=yt_g@w_21  Unleash the power of your story at A Book in a Weekend: https://www.abookinaweekend.com/?el=yt_g@w_21 

In this episode of the Generations at Work podcast, hosts Susan Davis and Dr. Tim Elmore sit down with renowned UCLA coach Sue Enquist to explore strategies for growing into a powerful mentor for the next generation of team members. Sue shares lessons from her storied career in high-performance sports, highlighting the importance of listening without ego, balancing rest and rigor, and fostering belief and relevance in young team members. The conversation delves into peer-to-peer mentoring, the power of optimism, and practical habits for leaders to build connection and resilience across generational lines. Packed with insightful stories and actionable takeaways for leaders in corporate and athletic settings alike, this episode is an inspiring guide to building bridges and enabling high performance in today's multi-generational workforce.  Equip the next generation in the workplace with Dr. Tim Elmore's guide, The Future Begins With Z: https://www.timelmore.com/the-future-begins-with-z/?el=g@w_libsyn_20 Unleash the power of your story at A Book in a Weekend: https://www.abookinaweekend.com/?el=g@w_libsyn_20

In this episode of Generations at Work, host Susan Davis and Dr. Tim Elmore focus on the forces that have shaped Generation Z in the workplace. Together, they examine the democratization of the workforce, the shift from top-down management to giving younger employees a voice, and how instant access to information has influenced Gen Z's expectations and behaviors. Through compelling stories and practical insights, Dr. Elmore emphasizes the importance of empathy, relationship-building, and adapting leadership styles to bridge generational gaps. Listeners gain valuable strategies for understanding and leading Gen Z, along with resources for further learning and organizational development. If you're interested in fostering a more connected, future-ready team, this episode offers essential takeaways for leaders across all generations.  Equip the next generation in the workplace with Dr. Tim Elmore's guide, The Future Begins With Z: https://www.timelmore.com/the-future-begins-with-z/?el=g@w_yt_19 Unleash the power of your story at A Book in a Weekend: https://www.abookinaweekend.com/?el=g@w_yt_19

In this episode of Generations at Work, hosts Susan Davis and Dr. Tim Elmore kick off a multi-part series exploring Tim's book, The Future Begins with Z. Together, they unpack the growing challenges and opportunities of leading Generation Z, the new majority. Dr. Elmore shares timely data about Gen Z's workplace struggles—from high turnover rates to the disconnect between classroom and workroom skills—and introduces practical, research-driven strategies for bridging generational divides. Drawing on relatable stories and real-world examples, the episode highlights the importance of mentoring, extending onboarding, giving effective feedback, and fostering a culture of engagement and empathy. Leaders seeking actionable ways to retain and develop young talent will find this episode especially insightful.  Equip the next generation in the workplace with Dr. Tim Elmore's guide, The Future Begins With Z: https://www.timelmore.com/the-future-begins-with-z/?el=g@w_libsyn_18 Unleash the power of your story at A Book in a Weekend: https://www.abookinaweekend.com/?el=g@w_libsyn_18

In this episode of Generations at Work, hosts Susan Davis and Dr. Tim Elmore are joined by special guest Cami Mackey, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at the Atlanta Hawks, to explore how organizations can bridge generational gaps in the workplace. Cami shares her HR journey and insights into managing multiple generations, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, communication, and personalized experiences for employee engagement. The conversation touches on how the Hawks adapt their hiring, marketing, and recognition strategies to reach younger generations, using data-driven approaches and innovative platforms. Packed with practical examples and leadership advice, the episode offers listeners actionable ways to foster collaboration across age groups and highlights the continuous learning mindset essential for today's dynamic workforce.  Equip the next generation in the workplace with Dr. Tim Elmore's guide, The Future Begins With Z: https://www.timelmore.com/the-future-begins-with-z/?el=g@w_libsyn_17 Unleash the power of your story at A Book in a Weekend: https://www.abookinaweekend.com/?el=g@w_libsyn_17

In this episode of Generations at Work, hosts Susan Davis and Dr. Tim Elmore explore how teams can cultivate a "whatever it takes" attitude across all generations in the workplace. Drawing on research, focus groups, and personal anecdotes, Dr. Elmore unpacks the roots of generational differences in work ethic, loyalty, and commitment—debunking common myths about Gen Z along the way. The conversation highlights the importance of moving beyond stereotypes, building trust, and fostering relationships centered on people rather than institutions. Amongst a shifting professional atmosphere, Dr. Elmore offers practical leadership strategies and memorable metaphors—such as the "second mile" and the story of the Waldorf Principle—to empower leaders and teams to bridge generational gaps and create cultures of commitment and accountability. Listeners walk away with actionable insights for motivating every generation to not just do their job, but to go above and beyond together.  Equip the next generation in the workplace with Dr. Tim Elmore's guide, The Future Begins With Z: https://www.timelmore.com/the-future-begins-with-z/?el=g@w_libsyn_16 Unleash the power of your story at A Book in a Weekend: https://www.abookinaweekend.com/?el=g@w_libsyn_16

In this episode of Generations at Work, hosts Susan Davis and Dr. Tim Elmore share how to master feedback within multigenerational teams. Together, they unpack how feedback preferences differ from Boomers to Zoomers, highlighting the importance of empathy, tailored communication, and understanding generational traits. Dr. Elmore shares actionable insights and memorable metaphors—like treating feedback with the care of a surgeon rather than a vampire—to help leaders avoid common pitfalls and foster a culture of effective, consistent, and constructive feedback. The episode is filled with practical strategies for building trust, balancing individual needs, and turning feedback into a competitive advantage across all age groups. If you're leading a diverse team and want to elevate your feedback game, this conversation is full of valuable takeaways.  Equip the next generation in the workplace with Dr. Tim Elmore's guide, The Future Begins With Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400256046/?el=g@w_libsyn_15 Master the art of giving feedback with Jeff Hancher's Firm Feedback in a Fragile World: https://store.maxwellleadership.com/products/jeff-hancher-firm-feedback-in-a-fragile-world-how-to-build-a-winning-culture-with-critical/?el=g@w_libsyn_15 Unleash the power of your story at A Book in a Weekend: https://www.abookinaweekend.com/?el=g@w_libsyn_15

In this episode of Generations at Work, host Susan Davis is joined by Dr. Tim Elmore and Chick-fil-A owner-operator Zach Thomas to explore the challenges and rewards of leading a multigenerational workforce in the quick service industry. Zach shares engaging stories from his restaurant, highlighting memorable moments of intergenerational teamwork and the importance of building relationships across age groups. The discussion dives into strategies for connecting with both seasoned employees and younger team members, emphasizing emotional intelligence, tailored leadership, and the balance between results and relationships. Listeners will gain valuable insights into fostering connection, encouraging collaboration, and creating a workplace culture where every generation can thrive—making this episode a practical resource for leaders navigating diverse teams.  Click here to learn more about A Book in a Weekend!

In this episode of Generations at Work, hosts Susan Davis and Dr. Tim Elmore are joined by Barna Research Institute's Matt Randerson to explore how shifting cultural trends and generational differences are reshaping the workplace. Drawing on Barna's latest research, the conversation uncovers the growing importance of belonging, relational connection, and purpose at work—particularly among Gen Z and millennials. The episode highlights surprising insights, such as younger generations' desire for workplace friendships and the disconnect between job satisfaction and employee loyalty. Packed with data-driven observations and practical advice for leaders of all generations, this episode offers valuable strategies for fostering engagement, retention, and organizational flourishing in today's evolving work environment.  Click here to learn more about A Book in a Weekend! Click here to see more of the research referenced in this episode and connect with Barna!

In this episode of Generations at Work, host Susan Davis and generational expert Dr. Tim Elmore explore the crucial role of setting clear expectations to bridge gaps between different generations in the workplace. They discuss why generational differences lead to varied expectations, how unspoken assumptions can undermine team cohesion, and why ongoing, clear communication is essential for maintaining engagement and satisfaction. Drawing on real-life examples and practical analogies, Tim and Susan emphasize the importance of addressing expectations early and often to prevent conflict and disengagement. If you're looking for actionable insights on how leaders can unite multi-generational teams and foster a positive, productive culture, this episode is packed with strategies you can start using today.