HI Reader, I was consulting with a tech startup last month when the CEO said something that stopped me in my tracks: "We offered our top Gen Z performer a $10,000 raise to stay. She turned it down and took a job that paid $5,000 less." His conclusion? "Gen Z doesn't understand money." My conclusion? He doesn't understand Gen Z. The Perk That's Worth More Than Money What did that other company offer that was worth a $15,000 swing? Career development conversations. Real ones. Not annual...
13 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, A manager recently told me: "I had a great Gen Z employee. Smart, capable, creative. But every time I gave feedback, they got defensive. Eventually, they quit." When I dug deeper, here's what I discovered... The Feedback That Backfired The manager's feedback: "Your presentation was good, but you need to work on your executive presence." Seems reasonable, right? Wrong. To Gen Z, this feedback is essentially useless. Here's why: "Good" tells them nothing actionable "Executive...
20 days ago • 1 min read
Here's a stat that might surprise you: 67% of Gen Z employees have quit a job within their first year. But here's what won't surprise you – most managers blame the employees. "They're entitled." "They don't want to work." "They expect everything handed to them." Sound familiar? Here's the thing: I've spent the last 15 years studying workplace dynamics, and I can tell you with certainty that it's not a Gen Z problem. It's a management mismatch problem. The Old Playbook Isn't Working Remember...
27 days ago • 1 min read
The Gen Z Manager's Edge The weekly newsletter for ambitious managers navigating the evolving workplace. HOME SHOP BLOG SPEAKING CONSULTING Hi Reader! This Week's Focus: Understanding the unique motivational drivers of Gen Z employees and how to leverage them for peak performance. The Motivation Myth: 73% of managers assume Gen Z is motivated by the same factors as previous generations. They're wrong. And it's costing them top talent. Debunking Gen Z Motivation Myths MYTH: "They just want...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Wel Hi Reader! At 27, I thought being a good manager meant having my finger on the pulse of everything happening on my team. I was wrong. Painfully, embarrassingly wrong. I spent my days jumping from crisis to crisis, putting out fires, and wondering why my team seemed to need me for every little decision. I was exhausted, they were frustrated, and nothing was getting better. Tuesday Tip!!! Here's what's really happening: Your team isn't lazy. They're Then my mentor taught me the practice...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Wel Welcome Reader! "My team has lost all motivation. They're doing the bare minimum and I don't know how to get them re-engaged." I hear this from managers at least once a week. And every time, I ask the same question: "When's the last time you told them specifically what good work looks like?" Nine times out of ten, I get a blank stare. Tuesday Tip!!! Here's what's really happening: Your team isn't lazy. They're confused. They want to do great work, but they're operating with outdated job...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Wel Welcome Reader! Last Tuesday, a brilliant software engineer walked into her manager’s office and quit on the spot. The reason? Her manager had just spent 20 minutes explaining why her approach to a project was "wrong" – without once asking about her reasoning or the constraints she was facing. Tuesday Tip!!! Here's the mistake that kills more careers than any other: New managers think their job is to have all the answers. But here's the truth: Your job isn't to be the smartest person in...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hey there, Welcome to The Gen Z Manager’s Edge – the weekly newsletter that’s about to transform how you think about leading in today’s workplace. I’m thrilled you’re here, because if you’re reading this, you’re already ahead of 90% of managers who are still trying to figure out why their old-school tactics aren’t working with their newest team members. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: The management playbook that worked for Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers? It’s not just ineffective with Gen Z...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read