Things Leaders Do
Things Leaders Do is the go-to podcast for leaders who want real, actionable strategies—not just theory. Whether you're a new leader stepping into management or a seasoned executive refining your skills, host Colby Morris delivers practical tools and processes you can start using today to lead with confidence, clarity, and impact.
Each episode breaks down key leadership topics with humor, insight, and real-world application, covering:
✅ How to communicate effectively and build trust in your team
✅ The secrets to high-performance leadership and team culture
✅ Handling setbacks and leading under pressure
✅ How to be a people-first leader without losing accountability
✅ Mastering the balance between strategy, execution, and influence
No fluff. No vague concepts. Just tactical advice that helps you grow as a leader and drive real results in your business or organization.
Subscribe now and join thousands of leaders leveling up their skills. Because leadership isn’t about what you say—it’s about what you do.
🔑 Keywords: leadership, leadership development, new managers, executive coaching, team culture, business growth, personal development, management strategies, communication skills, success, accountability, productivity
Things Leaders Do
Gen X Leaders vs. Millennials & Gen Z: The Workplace Showdown No One Talks About
Episode Title: Gen X Leaders vs. Millennials & Gen Z: The Workplace Showdown No One Talks About
Host: Colby Morris
Release Date: [Insert Date, e.g., March 5, 2025]
Episode Overview
Are generational differences derailing your workplace? In this episode of Things Leaders Do, COO Colby Morris dives into the leadership clash no one’s talking about: Gen X versus Millennials and Gen Z. From the “figure it out” grit of Gen X to the feedback-hungry, team-driven Millennials and Gen Z, Colby unpacks what sets these generations apart, why it sparks tension, and how to bridge the gap. Packed with real stories, stats, and actionable strategies, this 14-minute episode is your guide to leading across generations—whether you’re a Gen X boss or a younger manager under one.
Key Topics: Generational leadership styles, workplace communication, team collaboration, feedback strategies
Subscribe: Never miss an episode—hit that subscribe button!
Key Takeaways
- Gen X Leaders: Embrace feedback and collaboration—your grit’s gold, but today’s teams need guidance. Try a 10-minute weekly check-in.
- Millennials & Gen Z Leaders: Proactively seek clarity and deliver results—your Gen X boss values ownership over effort.
- Bridge the Divide: Structured communication (e.g., biweekly huddles) cuts disconnects—Colby’s team proves it with a 20% turnover drop.
Listener Challenge: Spot a generational clash at work. Test a check-in this week—did it shift the vibe? Tell us!
Resources Mentioned
Deloitte Study: 70% of Gen Xers prioritize self-reliance
Pew Research: 60% of Millennials want weekly feedback
Connect with Colby: LinkedIn Profile – Leadership workshops & keynotes. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbymorris/)
Why You’ll Love This Episode
Struggling with generational tensions as a leader? Colby Morris, seasoned COO, breaks down the Gen X “figure it out” mindset versus Millennials and Gen Z’s team-driven approach. With real-world stories—like turning a floundering project into a win and slashing turnover 20%—this episode delivers practical tips to unite your team. Whether you’re a Gen X manager adapting to younger crews or a Millennial navigating a hands-off boss, you’ll walk away with strategies to lead smarter today.
SEO Keywords: Gen X vs Millennials workplace, generational leadership strategies, how to lead Millennials, Gen Z team management
Get Involved
Email Us: Got a leadership clash? Send it to Colby@nxtstepadvisors.com —Colby might tackle it next!
Rate & Review: Loved this? Drop a 5-star rating—it helps us grow.
Welcome to Things Leaders Do, the podcast that uncovers the secrets of becoming an extraordinary leader. If you're a leader who's constantly seeking growth, inspiration and tangible ways to level up your leadership, then you've come to the right place. Remember, the world needs exceptional leaders, and that leader is you. Now here's your host, colby Morris.
Speaker 2:Hello leaders and welcome back to the TLD podcast. I'm Colby Morris and I am all about leadership as action, not titles. I've been in the trenches from frontline gigs to the COO chair and I've learned leadership isn't just calling the shots, it's developing people, it's bridging gaps and keeping pace with growth. That's why I started this podcast to hand you real, actionable tools, whether you're wrangling a small crew or stirring a big ship. Today we're driving into something juicy and, honestly, a little messy the generational leadership divide. Gen X leaders feeling like they're running a daycare. Millennials and Gen Z wondering why feedback's a ghost town. Wherever you sit, we're unpacking what's up, why it's a big deal and how to lead through it. So buckle up and let's roll First up.
Speaker 2:Gen X leaders my tribe Born between the mid-60s and early 80s. We're the latchkey kids raised on independence latchkey kids raised on independence. Picture this you're 12, home alone making mac and cheese from a box because mom's working late. The TV breaks, you smack it till it works or you don't watch it. That figure-it-out mindset stuck At work. Gen X leaders are hands off. If it's quiet, it's fine. We value results over chit chat, resilience over coddling. A Deloitte study pretty much pegs it 70% of Gen Xers say self-reliance is their top strength. That's because we were forged in the 80s when we saw our parents grind through layoffs and recessions.
Speaker 2:Here's a story from my early ops days. My boss, mike, was a peak Gen Xer Gruff no nonsense. We got slammed with new software Think clunky 90s nightmare. I'm drowning, missing deadlines, botching reports. I wait for Mike to swoop in Crickets. Finally I cornered him, mike. I'm sinking man. He grins You're sharp, colby, you'll crack it. It took me three weeks of late nights cursing under my breath, but I did. Later, over coffee, he said I knew you'd get there. Why spood and feed talent? Well, that's Gen X in a nutshell Trusting grit, sink or swim style. It builds tough teams. But here's the rub it assumes everyone's wired the same spoiler they're not. That's where the showdown starts.
Speaker 2:Now let's flip the script to millennials in gen z born from the 80s to early 2000s. These leaders grew up plugged in cell phones and then slack by college. They're collaborative, purpose-driven and feedback-hungry. A peer report nails it 60% of millennials want weekly check-ins. Annual reviews are prehistoric to them. They're not here for just a paycheck. They want impact and they shine in teams, not silos. I've seen it up close.
Speaker 2:Take Sarah, my Gen Z manager I worked with last year. We had a project that was tanking. Deadlines were slipping, clients were antsy. My Gen X gut says lock in, grind it solo. But not Sarah. She fires up Slack. She pulls the team into a virtual huddle. What's broken? What's the fix? Two hours later they had a plan and she's pinging me Colby thoughts on this pivot. They deliver early. The team's buzzing Next day. She's back.
Speaker 2:Any notes on our rollout? I would have slogged it out alone, but her crew thrived. They were adaptable, inclusive, wired for connection. The flip side of that that ping pong guidance can rattle a hands-off boss. She's not needy, she's team first. It's independence versus interdependence and the sparks fly when these styles collide. So how do we bridge this right? Leaders don't pick teams, they build bridges.
Speaker 2:So if you're Gen X, here's your playbook. First, feedback's your friend. A quick, great job or tweak. This takes 30 seconds. Do it. Millennials and Gen Z eat it up. Two, mentor and don't dictate. Look, equip them with tools, not just orders. Okay, growth beats survival. Every time. Three, rethink, hustle, and this is going to be a tough one for a lot of you. Efficiency isn't laziness. Did you hear that? One more time. Efficiency isn't laziness. Judge the output, not the desk time. They're not slacking, they're smart. Number four check-ins, weekly 10-minute huddles beat assuming that they'll figure it out. Okay. Clarity is not coddling, it's fuel. And if you're not doing your weekly and monthly one-on-ones, yeah, you're setting yourself up for failure.
Speaker 2:Next is team up. I want you to push collaboration. Your solo grit's gold, but they shine together. Try a brainstorm session. And then, finally, I want you to own the. Why Own the? Why Tie tasks to purpose? They will run through walls if they see the point.
Speaker 2:All right Now, if you're a millennial or a Gen Z under a Gen X boss, I want you to own it. Don't wait. Ask for clarity proactively. Okay, they are not going to chase you down to give it to you, so you have to be proactive.
Speaker 2:Second, I want you to show wins. What does that mean? It means deliver results. They respect outcomes over effort. Numbers talk louder than hustle.
Speaker 2:Three, I want you to be direct. Okay, bring problems with solutions, no fluff. They hate whining, and I've said this a lot, you've heard it on this podcast many times Don't ever bring me just a problem. Always bring me at least one or two solutions and then tell me which one you think is right. And then finally, flex timing. Okay, they're, they're not glued to Slack. Okay, try a quick email or a scheduled chat If you really need to reach them. You have to understand they're probably not dialed in to the quickest way you want to try to get ahold of them. Dialed in to the quickest way you want to try to get a hold of them. Quick pause I want you to think of one generational clash at your work.
Speaker 2:Could just a simple check-in fix it? Then jot that down. I have a tell for you. As COO, I had a Gen X VP and we'll call him Tom. Tom gave space, too much space. His team's turnover hit 30%. Yes, three zero One. Millennial, we'll call him Jake, cornered me. He's like Colby. I'd kill for a nod if he's happy or not. Tom's line they're pros, they'll figure it out. Sound familiar. So for a fix, we set him up with biweekly check-ins. Five minutes tops, that's all Jake's like. Finally, I know where I stand. Six months later, turnover is down to 10% and Jake's leading projects Look, it's not hand-holding, it's connecting that class you jotted down just a minute ago. Test a check-in this week, see if it doesn't move things forward a little bit, see if there's a shift. All right, that's a wrap. Leaders Gen X evolve without losing your edge. Millennials and Gen Z lean into experience without losing your spark. Bridge the gap and you'll build something unstoppable. Because great leaders don't fight differences, they harness them.
Speaker 2:Next time we'll tackle turning chaos into culture. Don't miss that. If you love this, rate us share it. Shoot your leadership clashes, your questions to me. You can do that on LinkedIn or you can email it to me. Both of those are in the show notes and I might tackle them here on one of these episodes. Hey, if your team's wrestling this gap, I've run workshops. They can cut turnover, they can boost vibe. Hit me on LinkedIn. That link is in the notes. So leaders go lead with balance. And you know why? Because those are the things that leaders do the things that leaders do.
Speaker 1:Thank you for listening to Things Leaders Do. If you're looking for more tips on how to be a better leader, be sure to subscribe to the podcast and listen to next week's episode. Until next time, keep working on being a better leader by doing the things that leaders do.