Gen Z Leadership in the Modern Workplace with Giselle Sandy Phillips (Pt. 1)

Send us a text

🎧 Episode 198: Gen Z Leadership in the Modern Workplace with Giselle Sandy Phillips (Pt. 1)

In Part 1 of this timely conversation, Giselle Sandy Phillips and I step into a conversation every leader needs to hear… but few are willing to have.

This episode sits at the intersection of leadership, culture, and the next generation already reshaping the modern workplace.

Giselle, author of Thriving in the Modern Age, challenges the narrative around Gen Z and reframes what’s really driving disengagement, burnout, and turnover.

This is not a conversation about entitlement or work ethic.

It’s about the growing human gap between expectations and experience…and how outdated leadership models are failing to keep up with a rapidly changing workforce.

Together, we explore what Gen Z is actually asking for, what leaders are missing, and how organizations can build environments where people don’t just work… they thrive.

Giselle offers insights on:

• Why Gen Z is widely misunderstood in the workplace

 • The leadership and communication gap driving disengagement and turnover

 • How miscommunication between generations creates friction and burnout

 • Why mid-level leaders sit at the most critical bridge of change

 • The myth that Gen Z doesn’t want to work…and what they truly value instead

 • How social media and short-form communication shape expectations

 • Why clarity, feedback, and belonging matter more than perks or titles

 • How Gen Z is exposing outdated leadership playbooks still in use

🔑 Key takeaways:

Gen Z isn’t difficult to lead… they’re different to lead

Miscommunication, not motivation, is the real retention problem

Clarity and feedback are foundational, not optional

Leadership must evolve across all generations, not just one

Modern workplaces require modern leadership

💡 Quotes to remember:

“Gen Z isn’t asking for less accountability… they’re asking for better leadership.”

“They’re not disengaged because they don’t care… they’re disengaged because they don’t feel connected.”

“Mid-level leaders are standing at the bridge… and that’s where most of the friction lives.”

“If leaders don’t learn to speak their language… they’ll simply leave.”

If you lead people…

If you’re navigating generational tension at work…

If you’re trying to retain talent without losing your culture…

This episode will challenge assumptions and invite you to lead differently.

A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!

Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.com

Follow me on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/

https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/

https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatness

http://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness