Hey, good people!

Are we getting Gen Z wrong in the workplace?

We hear a lot about this generation. Their expectations. Their communication styles. Their relationship with technology. Even their work ethic.

But how often are we actually listening to them?

This week on Lena Speaks, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Riley Clark, a recent graduate of IU Indianapolis's Kelley School of Business and now an Experience Coordinator at Accent Indy, a DMC Network Company.

I've known Riley and her family for years, and watching her transition from college into her professional career has been exciting.

But what stood out during our conversation wasn't just her enthusiasm for her new role. It was her perspective on what leadership looks like when you're still figuring things out.

Riley shared something simple:

"You don't know what you don't know."

And isn't that true at every level of leadership?

Riley talked candidly about transitioning from a structured academic environment into a workplace where the answers aren't always clear. She's learning to trust herself, ask better questions, navigate different personalities, and build relationships that extend beyond job descriptions.

She also shared how meaningful it is to work in an environment where colleagues support one another, leaders invest in people, and collaboration isn't just something written on a company website.

Here's what I hope executives take away from this conversation:

Sometimes what we interpret as a generational difference may simply be someone learning, growing, and finding their confidence.

And the workplace culture we create determines whether people feel supported through that process.

One thing Riley said really resonated with me. She wants people to see her as trustworthy, collaborative, and someone they can count on.

That doesn't sound like a generation unwilling to lead.

That sounds like a leader who's becoming.

Whether you're leading an organization, developing emerging talent, or navigating your own next chapter, I hope this conversation encourages you to look beyond generational labels and see the human being in front of you.

Because at Authentic Encounters, we believe:

Human First. Employee Second.

🎙️ Listen to my conversation with Riley Clark on Lena Speaks: The Podcast.

As you're developing the next generation of leaders, are you creating an environment where they can grow, contribute, and discover who they're becoming?

That's also the heart behind The Authentic Encounter Journal.

Through three intentional lenses - Internal, Extended, and Legacy - the journal invites you to explore who you are, how you're impacting others, and the imprint you're leaving behind.

Available in two formats:

Whether you're early in your leadership journey or have been leading for decades, intentional growth never stops.

Explore The Authentic Encounter Journals:
https://authentic-encounters-llc-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/the-encounter-collectiontm

Until next time,

Remember: Leadership doesn't begin with a title, and it doesn't end when you leave the office.

Real Conversations. Lasting Transformation.

Lena Morris
Founder & CEO | Authentic Encounters, LLC
Host | Lena Speaks: The Podcast

https://authenticencountersllc.com