Gen Z and the New Workforce | Episode 130

Welcome back to The Dirty Side of Leadership, where leadership meets entertainment. In this episode, Ron and Kristin tackle one of the hottest topics in leadership today: Gen Z entering—and reshaping—the modern workforce.

From their unique expectations around work-life balance to their comfort with technology, Gen Z is forcing leaders to rethink how organizations recruit, motivate, and retain top talent. But with those fresh perspectives come challenges—different communication styles, demands for flexibility, and a new definition of loyalty.

Key Themes & Takeaways

Shifting Priorities: Why Gen Z values purpose, flexibility, and mental health over traditional perks.
Digital Natives at Work: How growing up online influences their communication, collaboration, and career decisions.
Generational Friction: Where Gen Z clashes with Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers—and how leaders can bridge the gap.
Leadership Reset: Practical strategies leaders can adopt to engage, develop, and keep Gen Z talent motivated.
The Dirty Side: What happens when leaders ignore these shifts—and why high turnover and disengagement are the price.
Why It Matters

By 2030, Gen Z will make up nearly 30% of the global workforce. Leaders who fail to adapt risk losing not only top talent but also organizational relevance. This episode offers a candid, unfiltered look at what’s really at stake—and how leaders can navigate the mess with clarity and confidence.

Sources & References

Deloitte. Understanding Generation Z in the Workplace. Deloitte Insights, 2023.
Pew Research Center. “On the Cusp of Adulthood and Facing an Uncertain Future: What We Know About Gen Z So Far.” 2020.
Gallup. How Gen Z Wants to Work and Live. Gallup Workplace Report, 2021.
Harvard Business Review. “What Gen Z Wants from Work, Charted Across the World.” 2022.
McKinsey & Company. “True Gen: Generation Z and its implications for companies.” 2018.

Call to Action

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Co-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff
Sponsor: 4Ward Operations
Producer: Stephen Ridley
Facebook Group Administrator: Cassy Roop

Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership".

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