37. Leadership Across Generations with Raven Solomon

It’s easy to blame “kids these days” when generational tension flares up at work. But beneath the eye rolls and stereotypes are deeper forces (economic shifts, social movements, and broken workplace systems) that shape how each generation sees loyalty, ambition, and success. From Boomers to Gen Z, we’ve all inherited stories about what work should look like and they don’t always fit the world we’re in now. In this episode, Rodney Evans sits down with Raven Solomon—author, keynote speaker, and CEO of the Future-Ready Institute—to explore what it really takes to lead across generations. They unpack what leaders need to unlearn in this moment, how Gen Z’s relationship to work is reshaping culture, and why inclusion and empathy—not authority—are the future of leadership. Learn more about Raven and her work: At her website Follow her on LinkedIn Future-Ready Friday webinar with Rodney -------------------------------- Ready to change your organization? ⁠⁠Let's talk.⁠⁠ Get our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠ Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -------------------------------- Mentioned references: Sword of Damocles Brené Brown "Gen X only generation to recover from 2008 recession" Fiverr Conway's Law "forming, storming, norming" Alvin Toffler generational theory "report where future of work skills no longer tech related" 00:00 Intro + Check-In: What’s something about your profession you can’t say on stage but wish people knew? 04:07 What power holders have to unlearn about younger generations 10:29 Gen Z’s changing relationship to work and capitalism 15:33 Opting out of taking leadership roles for better quality of life 20:25 The business and financial stakes behind real inclusion 29:15 Authenticity should be the cornerstone to all your strategies and messaging 32:38 The difficulties and business trade offs behind inclusion 39:54 Importance of human centered skills in this decade 44:50 Raven’s top skills to develop for the future of work 48:17 AI’s impact on the upcoming generations in the workplace 54:26 Wrap up: Leave us a review and share the show with your colleagues! Sound engineering and design by Taylor Marvin of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coupe Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.