The Future Begins with Z: Nine Strategies to Lead Generation Z as They Disrupt the Workplace

Growing Leaders CEO Elmore (A New Kind of Diversity) offers a definitive guide to engaging with members of Gen Z in the workplace. Positioning himself as a Gen Z “interpreter,” Elmore, a baby boomer, explains the factors that shaped the generation, including social media and the Covid-19 pandemic, debunks myths about Gen Zers, and identifies the values they bring to the workplace, like a high interest in entrepreneurship and a focus on social justice. He also lays out strategies for effectively collaborating with Gen Zers, offering tips on how to retain them at a company, inspire and motivate them, and shape them into leaders. For example, noting that Gen Z struggles with mental illness at higher rates than other generations, he encourages managers to show empathy and equip their employees to overcome challenges. Explaining that many Gen Zers value autonomy and purpose over money or titles, he urges employers to design roles that offer freedom and flexibility. Elmore brings a compassionate perspective to an often misunderstood generation, showing how to lead these young people to success, but also what older generations can learn from them; working with Gen Z, he notes, has made him “a clearer communicator, a more inspiring visionary, a more empathetic person, and a more strategic leader.” Readers will feel inspired and reassured on the future of work. (Nov.)