The Future Begins with Z
Book

The Future Begins with Z

Nine Strategies to Lead Generation Z as They Disrupt the Workplace

Tim Elmore
HarperCollins Leadership, 2025
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Many young professionals crave autonomy, but lack professionalism, soft skills, and resilience. In this helpful guide, leadership coach Tim Elmore unpacks how gen Z’s phone-first culture, comfort-seeking habits, and “distrust of authority” affect their workplace behaviors. He offers strategies for leading gen Z — framing tasks, providing feedback, and building buy-in and accountability — without treating these workers as a problem to manage. Elmore’s leadership toolkit will help you help gen Z workers develop into capable, engaged teammates and enable you to become a more adaptive leader.

Summary

Give gen Z employees a voice, trust, and opportunities for development.

Many organizations struggle with gen Z hiring because they built their interview and onboarding practices for generations that regarded work as central to their identity and hierarchy as normal. Gen Zers, by contrast, are comfortable with gig work and fluid roles. These younger employees place greater emphasis on balance, meaning, and output than on hours worked or titles. This disconnect helps explain why gen Z job candidates sometimes “ghost” interviews, drop out mid-process, or leave new roles within weeks. When leaders approach interviews from a position of authority, use outdated professional language, or drag out decisions, gen Zers interpret these actions as disrespect or irrelevance.

Gen Z responds well to fast, transparent interviews that include future teammates, clear communication, and space for questions. They want to feel respected, useful, and connected before day one, and they stay longer in workplaces that emphasize growth, feedback, and visible purpose. Shorten interview timelines, speak in plain, welcoming language, stay in contact between the offer and start date, design a first...

About the Author

Leadership coach Dr. Tim Elmore is a best-selling author and public speaker. He is the founder and CEO of Growing Leaders, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization created to develop emerging leaders.

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