Staff retention and engagement
Staff retention keynote speaker: keeping Gen Z and early-career talent
Replacing a 25-year-old costs an organisation months of productivity and a recruitment fee, and most leave for reasons that were visible at month three. I speak to leadership teams and HR conferences about why early-career staff walk, and what the organisations that keep them do differently.
What you get
Wil Massara is a Gen Z keynote speaker for staff retention and engagement audiences. He founded Youth Leadership Academy Australia at 15; it has reached 65,000+ young people across 1,500+ schools. Keynotes run 30 to 60 minutes, in person worldwide or virtually from Sydney.
This is not a motivation session. It is a straight account of what Gen Z expects from a job, where the generational gap is real and where it is a myth, and the practical changes to onboarding, feedback, flexibility and progression that move retention numbers.
- Why early-career staff leave, in their words rather than the exit interview
- The five changes to onboarding, feedback, flexibility, progression and purpose that keep them
- A manager-level playbook that works on Monday
- Optional follow-up workshop with the people and culture team to build the plan
Research consistently finds Gen Z leaves for invisible progression, absent feedback and purpose that lives on a poster. All three are fixable without a pay rise.
Recommended sessions
- Gen Z at Work, keynote or workshop, 45 to 90 minutes
- Change Happens Together, keynote or facilitated session, 45 to 90 minutes
- A Framework to Create Change, interactive workshop, 90 minutes to a full day
Questions organisers ask
Can Wil run a workshop with our people and culture team after the keynote?
Yes. The usual format is a keynote for the wider leadership group, then a 90-minute to half-day working session with the people team to turn the themes into a retention plan.
Does this apply outside Australia?
Yes. The research is international and the sessions have been delivered to audiences in North America and Europe. Local workforce data from your organisation makes it specific.
In the room
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.
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.
Check availability
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