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Artwork for The Boardroom by Heather Elkington
The Boardroom by Heather Elkington · July 29 · 32 min

How I manage Gen Z at work (without lowering my standards)

Is Gen Z really difficult to manage, or do they simply expect better management? Heather explores why Gen Z are often labelled lazy, entitled, or difficult to manage, and why the real problem may be the way workplaces try to lead them. In this episode, Heather covers: Why Gen Z are not as difficult to manage as people think How to communicate with Gen Z more openly and honestly Why progression matters even when a promotion is not available How to offer flexibility without losing structure or accountability Why psychological safety and high performance can exist together How the TAPES framework can help you manage Gen Z more effectively What to do when someone still refuses to meet the required standard Because managing Gen Z is not about giving them everything they want. It is about understanding what helps them do their best work, then leading them with clarity, trust and accountability. And if you are a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, join the Custard here: https://www.itscustard.com/ Got a situation at work you do not know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com, two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday at 8 AM. Follow us on socials: Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And btw, Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 30,000 managers across the globe inside the Custard Culture Club. Join us here: https://custardlearns.com/custard-culture-club-home

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transcript

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show notes

Is Gen Z really difficult to manage, or do they simply expect better management?

Heather explores why Gen Z are often labelled lazy, entitled, or difficult to manage, and why the real problem may be the way workplaces try to lead them.

In this episode, Heather covers:

  • Why Gen Z are not as difficult to manage as people think
  • How to communicate with Gen Z more openly and honestly
  • Why progression matters even when a promotion is not available
  • How to offer flexibility without losing structure or accountability
  • Why psychological safety and high performance can exist together
  • How the TAPES framework can help you manage Gen Z more effectively
  • What to do when someone still refuses to meet the required standard

Because managing Gen Z is not about giving them everything they want. It is about understanding what helps them do their best work, then leading them with clarity, trust and accountability.

And if you are a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, join the Custard here: https://www.itscustard.com/

Got a situation at work you do not know how to handle?

Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com, two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous.

New episodes every Wednesday at 8 AM.

Follow us on socials:

Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather

And btw, Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 30,000 managers across the globe inside the Custard Culture Club. Join us here: https://custardlearns.com/custard-culture-club-home