024: Keeping Gen Z Engaged: Culture, Mentorship, and Meaningful Work

In this episode of Generations at Work, Susan Davis and Dr. Tim Elmore explore effective strategies for attracting and retaining Generation Z employees in the workplace. Drawing from Dr. Elmore's new book The Future Begins with Z, they discuss the unique challenges employers face with Gen Z's changing attitudes toward entry-level work, higher rates of job-hopping, and the importance of workplace culture and leadership style. They're also joined by Adrienne Kelly, a Gen Z member of the workforce, who shares her firsthand experience transitioning into the workforce, highlighting how culture, mission, and meaningful connections with leaders shaped her commitment to stay. This episode offers practical insights for leaders—including the value of moving from a gatekeeper to a mentor mindset, fostering open communication, and creating a welcoming, growth-oriented environment—to ensure Gen Z feels engaged, valued, and motivated to remain with their organizations.   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_24   Unleash the power of your story at A Book in a Weekend — https://www.abookinaweekend.com/?el=g@w_libsyn_24 

In this episode of Generations at Work, hosts Susan Davis & Dr. Tim Elmore are joined by leadership expert Jeff Hancher to explore the crucial role of feedback in multi-generational workplaces. The conversation delves into the nuances of delivering effective feedback across generational lines, highlighting differences in how Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z perceive and respond to feedback. Jeff Hancher shares insights from his book, Firm Feedback in a Fragile World, emphasizing the importance of building trust, understanding expectations, and customizing feedback approaches for individual team members. The episode is filled with actionable tips for leaders looking to foster a culture of meaningful feedback, strengthen team relationships, and create environments where all generations can thrive. If you're eager to improve feedback dynamics across all ages in your organization, this is an episode you won't want to miss!  Discover the 5 most impactful questions to ask in your one-on-ones with Jeff Hancher's free leadership resource, the Leader's Conversation Guide: https://www.jeffhancher.com/post/leader-s-conversation-guide-elevate-your-leadership-through-impactful-conversations/?el=g@w_libsyn_23  Unleash the power of your story at A Book in a Weekend: https://www.abookinaweekend.com/?el=g@w_libsyn_23 

In this episode of Generations at Work, hosts Susan Davis and Dr. Tim Elmore are joined by restaurant owner John Craze to explore the unique strengths and challenges that Gen Z team members bring to the workplace. Drawing from his experience managing a large team of young employees at Chick-fil-A, John Craze discusses the importance of flexibility, engagement, and care in retaining Gen Z workers. The conversation highlights Gen Z's ability to multitask, adapt quickly, and contribute creatively, especially in fast-paced service environments. The episode also covers practical strategies for fostering a supportive work culture, offering stories of how empowering young employees leads to meaningful growth and results. Discover actionable ideas for leveraging Gen Z's talents!  Equip the next generation in the workplace with Dr. Tim Elmore's guide, The Future Begins With Z Unleash the power of your story at A Book in a Weekend

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