Generations at Work 021: Rethinking Leadership: Connecting with Gen Z's Agency and Diversity
Nov 4, 2025
Join Tim Elmore, a generational leadership expert and author, as he unpacks insights from his book, focusing on Gen Z's unique blend of agency and anxiety. He highlights the importance of workplace diversity and evolving identities, encouraging leaders to shift from control to connection. Elmore suggests embracing Gen Z's entrepreneurial spirit and promoting innovation internally. He also shares predictions about future work dynamics, like the rise of four-day workweeks and the increasing influence of young, socially-savvy employees.
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Evolving Gender And Identity Norms
- Many Gen Zers identify outside purely heterosexual categories and recognize many gender identities.
- Leaders don't need to agree but must create space for people to be who they are while leading them well.
Invest In The Inevitable
- Always invest in the inevitable: prepare and equip the generation that will lead next.
- Make deliberate investments in Gen Z to make them ready to influence positively.
Shortcuts As A Work Ethic
- Gen Z favors 'shortcuts' as a new work ethic by using smarter tech to finish tasks faster.
- They value results over time spent and prefer efficiency driven by tools like AI.
