Gen Z at Work

From someone who is actually Gen Z. Keynote or workshop, 45 to 90 minutes.

What the generation entering your workforce actually values, why they leave at month 14, and what to change about culture, feedback and leadership to keep them. From a speaker who is Gen Z.

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The talk

Gen Z at Work is a keynote or workshop by Wil Massara, 45 to 90 minutes. What the generation entering your workforce actually values, why they leave at month 14, and what to change about culture, feedback and leadership to keep them. From a speaker who is Gen Z.

I am not studying Gen Z. I am one. By 2030 we will be 30% of the workforce, and most of the advice leaders are getting about us is written by people who have never been in the room.

This session gives a straight, informed account of what the generation now entering the workforce values, what drives them out, and what organisations need to do differently to attract and keep them. It is built from years of working directly with young people across schools, government and community, not from a research report summarised at a distance.

Expect candour. Gen Z is not lazy and not entitled. We are just not willing to work inside systems that were designed in 2010. If you lead people, this is the session that explains what is happening in your team and what to do about it.

What the room leaves with

Leaders leave with a clear picture of how Gen Z makes decisions about work, and five changes they can make the next week.

What Gen Z actually values at work, backed by research and 65,000+ conversations
The real reasons young staff leave in the first 12 months
Purpose, flexibility and feedback: where the generational gap is real and where it is a myth
How to build a culture young staff stay in, without lowering the bar
What managers over 40 get wrong about Gen Z, and the two things they get right

Best for

Staff conferences and all-hands, HR and people leaders, Leadership offsites, Culture and engagement days, Graduate programs.

In the room

A full auditorium at a YLAA conference, "Hello, my name is Wil" on the screens

Wil speaking at the 2025 WA Young Achiever Awards

Organisers say

Wil delivered an energised and engaging presentation at Positive Schools. He joined us as a keynote speaker at both our online event and in person in Western Australia. His awareness and careful consideration of students' perspectives offers insight and value to the increasingly complex conversation about wellbeing in schools.

Positive Schools, Conference organiser, Positive Schools Australia

Watching Wil on stage is inspiring. He presents with confidence that resonates with people of all ages and leaves his audience feeling empowered to realise their potential and go beyond.

Future Schools Alliance, Event organiser, Future Schools

Pair it with

Lead Before You're ReadyThe story of building an organisation that reached thousands of young people before the Year 12 results came back blank, and what that says about talent, age and who we back before they have the credentials.Change Happens TogetherThe decisions that stick are the ones made with the people they affect, not for them. A practical approach to intergenerational collaboration drawn from consulting work with government departments, councils and education systems.A Framework to Create ChangeThe same creating-change framework YLAA has run with tens of thousands of young people: identify the issue, understand the causes, explore opportunities, plan, assign roles, pitch.

Check availability

Tell me about the event and you'll hear back within one business day.