I recently posted a funny video on Instagram where I got schooled in Gen Z terminology. (Apparently, I have a lot to learn. 😂)
But underneath all the generational humor is something I've been thinking about a LOT lately.
How in the world do we lead teams when the workplace is changing faster than we can keep up?
We're navigating multiple generations, smaller teams, economic uncertainty, and an AI transformation that's changing how we work almost every week.
And if I'm being honest, some days it's exhausting. Anyone else?
I recently sat down with my friend and coaching client, Brittany Miller, VP of Go-to-Market Strategy at Trailway, for a conversation about leading Gen Z, developing people, and figuring out where AI fits into all of this.
We certainly don't have it all figured out, but here are some of the themes that emerged.
1. We need to coach our teams to think, not just execute.
Brittany was spot on with this quote:
"You have to coach your team to be leaders, or they will be led by AI."
Whew. Let that sink in.
AI can write the first draft, organize the to-do list, summarize the meeting, and help us move faster.
But who's teaching our people to think critically? To make good decisions? To challenge an idea instead of accepting the first answer AI generates?
As leaders, I think we're going to have to spend less time managing tasks and more time developing people.
Something to try: In your next one-on-one, instead of asking for a status update, ask, "What's a decision you're wrestling with, and how are you thinking through it?"
2. Gen Z might want more feedback than you think.
I hear a lot of frustration from leaders about managing Gen Z employees. And I get it! I've had my own humbling experiences learning to lead this generation.
But Brittany shared something that challenged a common assumption that I think a lot of us struggle with.
Her Gen Z employees aren't just looking for affirmation. They're asking what they can improve, how they can grow, and what it takes to get to the next level.
I LOVE that.
And it reminded me that one of the most valuable things we can offer the next generation isn't another perk or benefit. It's intentional development.
This is especially important as we lead multigenerational teams. Great leadership isn't treating everyone exactly the same. It's understanding what each person needs to thrive.
Something to try: Ask each team member, "What kind of feedback helps you grow, and am I giving you enough of it?"
3. AI should create more room for humanity, not less.
One of my favorite parts of our conversation was hearing how Brittany's team has tested AI in their business.
They discovered that for certain client communications, human-written content was outperforming AI-generated content. Instead of forcing AI into that part of their process, they adjusted.
I think there's a huge leadership lesson here.
Just because AI can do something doesn't always mean it should.
AI is fantastic for reducing administrative work, organizing information, and helping us think through ideas. But judgment, creativity, trust, empathy, and coaching? Those are still deeply human responsibilities.
And as teams get leaner, we have to be careful. More AI-generated output doesn't automatically mean less work. Sometimes it just means more things to review and more decisions to make!
Something to try: Look at your team's weekly workload and ask two questions: What could AI take off our plates? And what do we need to protect because it requires a human?
So, what does this mean for us as leaders?
I'm increasingly convinced that the future of leadership isn't about becoming an AI expert or memorizing everything about Gen Z.
It's about becoming a better coach.
One of the frameworks I teach for one-on-ones is simple: Care, Development, and Performance.
How are you doing? How are you growing? How are you performing?
Those three questions have always mattered. I think they matter even more now.
And I'd genuinely love to hear what you're experiencing. Are you finding that AI is making your team healthier and more productive? Are you struggling to bridge generational differences? What's working?
Let's keep the conversation going!
Watch the full webinar with Brittany and me for more stories and practical examples.
Explore coaching or AI implementation with The Ready Network. Whether you're developing your leaders or figuring out how to implement AI thoughtfully, we'd love to help.
Share your thoughts! Leave a comment or reach out. I'd love to learn what you're seeing on your own team.
Here's to getting READY for whatever comes next!
