Talk To Us, Not About Us!

Talk To Us, Not About Us: What Gen Z Actually Wants at Work

“Talk to us, not about us” is the message Gen Z keeps sending employers, and it’s overdue for a response. Branded the “snowflake generation,” Gen Z is often dismissed as overly sensitive and short on resilience. But pause the sweeping generalisations for a moment. Gen Z aren’t lazy or unskilled, and they aren’t trying to burn the corporate world down. They’re showing up with a different lens, shaped by global crises, rapid technological change and a deeply digital-rooted upbringing, and it’s time businesses used that perspective to shape the future of their organisations.

The Stereotypes Holding Gen Z Back

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon made headlines with the line, “You can’t learn working from your basement,” while mandating a five-day return to the office. Gen Z never said they wanted to learn from their basements; that narrative was handed to them. Plenty of young workers are desperate to be in the room, to grow, learn and contribute, but it’s hard to feel welcome when you’ve been squeezed into a box that restricts you from growing. One widely shared post even labelled the generation “rat people,” a wildly unhelpful term for educated, jobless young people supposedly giving up. That isn’t laziness. It’s burnout. It’s rejection. It’s trying to enter a job market that feels rigged against them.

Build With Them, Not For Them

If companies don’t start making space for young talent now, they risk losing a generation of future leaders before they’ve even had the chance to start. And to be clear, Gen Z isn’t asking for a corporate revolution, just a workplace that listens to their ideas and values their skill set. As Jonah Stillman of GenGuru puts it, “The most productive, multi-generational workforce is one that prioritises evolution instead of revolution.”

Gen Z doesn’t want to break the system; they want to build with you. They’re asking for a seat at the table and to be heard, but too often their voices are ignored. Many Gen Z workers say they want better communication and teamwork training, not just feedback, but genuine connection. Flip the perspective, though, and you see a generation bringing an entirely new skill set and a real appetite to learn.

If organisations want more productive teams, fresh ideas and a skilled workforce, the fix starts with dropping the outdated boxes, asking younger employees what they think, and giving them room to grow. Gen Z isn’t going anywhere, and with social media as their megaphone, their influence keeps growing. Read more on how the generations are reshaping the workplace in The Generation Game: 5 Generations In A Workforce, or see the practical side in How to Engage Graduates and Early Career Employees.

So here’s the challenge for today’s leaders: stop assuming and start listening. The future of work isn’t a battleground between generations; it’s a collaboration waiting to happen. Explore PepTalk’s Gen Z speakers and generational speakers for more on bridging the gap.

PepTalk Speakers Who Talk With Gen Z, Not About Them

These experts don’t just talk about Gen Z, they talk with them. Book one of PepTalk’s speakers to unlock the potential of the next generation in your organisation.

Kian Bakhtiari

Founder of THE PEOPLE and a Gen Z advisor to the UN, Kian helps organisations build more human-centric marketing and engagement strategies for younger audiences.

Learn more and book Kian Bakhtiari →

Victor Sosanya

A leadership trainer and founder of Valuable Community, Victor works with organisations on nurturing early-career talent and building genuine two-way trust with Gen Z.

Learn more and book Victor Sosanya →

Erifili Gounari

An entrepreneur, author and Gen Z marketing strategist, Erifili brings sharp insight into what genuinely resonates with next-generation consumers and employees.

Learn more and book Erifili Gounari →

Dr Paul Redmond

An expert on generational change and the future of work, Paul helps leaders navigate the shifting dynamics between generations in today’s workplace.

Learn more and book Dr Paul Redmond →

Peter Wood

Founder of The Graduate Guide and a career coach, Peter equips early-career professionals with practical strategies for building confidence and meaningful workplace connections.

Learn more and book Peter Wood →

Nicola Gunby

Founder of CLIQ, Nicola specialises in engaging and connecting with next-gen talent, helping organisations understand what genuinely motivates younger employees.

Learn more and book Nicola Gunby →

Ziad Ahmed

A Gen Z strategist at UTA Marketing and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, Ziad unpacks the complexities of engaging Gen Z audiences with clarity and nuance.

Learn more and book Ziad Ahmed →

Christine Hassler

A transformational coach, author and diversity expert, Christine helps organisations revitalise their approach to generational diversity and workplace inclusion.

Learn more and book Christine Hassler →

Book a Gen Z Speaker for Your Organisation

💡 Ready to bring one of these perspectives into your next event or leadership offsite? Let us know, and we’ll find the perfect PepTalk expert for your organisation. Email us at hello@getapeptalk.com or send us a message via the chat. You can also call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US). Remember, it’s always a good time to get a PepTalk!