Why Gen Z Is Struggling — and What Managers and Parents Need to Do Differently

Gen Z is getting talked about a lot right now — especially at work. But instead of just complaining about this generation, this episode asks a better question: what’s actually going on, and what do we need to do differently?In this conversation, Dr. Andrea Mata shares why many Gen Z employees are not broken, but under-equipped, and how that changes the way leaders and parents should respond. We get into the impact of parenting, the cost to companies when young employees are unprepared, and how managers can do a better job setting expectations, giving feedback, and building the skills Gen Z needs to succeed.In this episode, we talk about:Why Gen Z may be struggling with professionalism, communication, and accountability at workThe idea that young employees need skills development, not just criticismWhat high expectations and high support actually look like in leadershipWhy parents need warmth and connection plus clear expectations and consequencesHow businesses can better support, coach, and retain Gen Z employeesIf you lead people, parent teens, or are just trying to make sense of what’s changing in the workplace, this one is worth the listen.Chapters00:00 Why Gen Z is getting fired so fast04:57 What leaders are getting wrong06:33 High expectations + high support08:10 Professionalism, dress, and showing up10:09 The entitlement conversation12:02 Why coaching beats firing15:07 How long to give someone to improve16:03 Advice directly for Gen Z20:43 Building a better Gen Z personal brand23:13 Phones, distraction, and lack of awareness27:28 What parents need to do differently34:49 Final advice for managers and parentsLinks:Dr. Andrea MataFortune Article: Bosses are Firing Gen Z Grads just months after hiring them