Chief Change Officer Podcast - Episode #284: Katie Curry on Mentoring Gen Z Without Losing Your Gen X Soul

Host: Vince Chan
Guest: Ekatrina Curry (Katie)
Release Date: April 9, 2025
Podcast Description: Chief Change Officer explores profound transformations in careers and personal growth, featuring conversations with extraordinary thinkers and doers aimed at helping listeners outgrow themselves.

Introduction

In Episode #284 of Chief Change Officer, host Vince Chan sits down with Ekatrina Curry, widely known as Katie, to discuss the nuances of mentoring Generation Z while maintaining the essence of Generation X leadership. The episode delves into Katie's personal journey, her insights on managing a multigenerational workforce, and offers valuable career advice for the younger generation.

Ekatrina Curry's Personal Transformation

Timestamp: [02:31]
Katie shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Bulgaria under communism to reinventing herself in the United States. Her transformation began with a pivotal moment in New York City's financial district, where she envisioned working in the heart of the action.

Katie Curry ([02:31]): "My first big part of my kind of reinvention or transformation was coming to the United States and getting educated."

Navigating Career Risks and Personal Growth

Timestamp: [02:58]
Katie discusses the concept of risk in career transitions, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's risk tolerance, which evolves over time. She highlights her shift from being outcome-focused to embracing exploration and curiosity.

Katie Curry ([03:57]): "Knowing yourself and your risk tolerance was very important. I have moved into a phase of exploration and looking at various opportunities."

Managing a Multigenerational Workforce

Timestamp: [05:17]
The conversation shifts to the evolving work market, particularly the rising influence of Gen Z. Katie, a mother of two Gen Z children, shares her experiences managing a diverse team across different generations.

Vince Chan ([05:17]): "Gen Z will make up about a quarter of our workforce by 2025. How can we lead and motivate them effectively?"

Embracing Gen Z in the Workplace

Timestamp: [08:45]
Katie expresses her enthusiasm for working with Gen Z, countering stereotypes of entitlement and impatience. She emphasizes the need for leaders to adapt by being clear, transparent, and promoting meritocracy.

Katie Curry ([08:47]): "Gen Z appreciates a true meritocracy rather than a hierarchical culture. Companies that pivot to this authentic and faster-paced leadership will maintain their competitive edge."

She also highlights the reciprocal learning relationships, mentioning how Gen Z mentors have taught her new perspectives.

Katie Curry ([09:10]): "I have reverse mentors who are Gen Z, teaching me things I haven't known or experienced."

Career Advice for Gen Z

Timestamp: [11:52]
Vince invites Katie to offer career tips for Gen Z navigating today's dynamic and competitive landscape. Katie provides three key pieces of advice:

1. Develop Your Superpower

   • Timestamp: [12:00]

   • Focus on identifying and nurturing unique skills and strengths.

     Katie Curry ([12:00]): "Understand what you are good at. It’s a process of developing and growing your superpowers."

2. Build a Diverse Community

   • Timestamp: [13:15]

   • Surround yourself with a varied group of people to expand perspectives and opportunities.

     Katie Curry ([13:15]): "Be intentional about your community. A diverse community challenges you to think outside your natural box."

3. Master the Ability to Pivot

   • Timestamp: [14:00]

   • Cultivate mental toughness to embrace change as an opportunity rather than a threat.

     Katie Curry ([14:00]): "Build the ability to pivot. Look at change more through excitement than fear."

Learning Habits and Book Recommendations

Timestamp: [21:59]
Katie elaborates on her three pillars of learning:

1. GetAbstract Subscription

   • Provides summaries of business, technology, and creative books for efficient learning.

2. Selected Book Recommendations

   • "The Mental Toughness Handbook" by Damon Zaharadis
     • Exercises to manage emotions and build resilience.
   • "The One Thing" by Gary Keller
     • Emphasizes the power of focus and simplicity.
   • "Good to Great" by Jim Collins
     • Analyzes why some companies make the leap to greatness while others falter.

3. Reflection Time

   • Weekly sessions to assess progress, identify learning needs, and foster personal growth.

     Katie Curry ([21:59]): "Reflection time is the most important pillar. It’s about thinking what you need to do to get better each week."

The Importance of Community and Thoughtful Change

Timestamp: [14:35] - [26:37]
Vince summarizes Katie's insights on superpowers, humility, community, and strategic change. He underscores the significance of building lasting relationships and focusing on human-centric skills over commoditized technical abilities.

Vince Chan ([14:35]): "Change takes commitment. It’s a thoughtful strategy to make things better for yourself and those you care about."

Katie echoes the need for personal time and solitude to maintain sanity amidst professional and personal pressures.

Katie Curry ([26:10]): "I need time in nature and time by myself. These are key practices that keep me sane."

Vince adds his perspective on the importance of solitude for reflection and personal growth, agreeing that meaningful communication and community are essential for sustained success.

Conclusion and Future Discussions

Timestamp: [27:18] - [27:23]
The episode concludes with mutual appreciation, as Katie expresses her willingness to join future episodes to discuss business process transformation and innovation parenting.

Katie Curry ([27:18]): "I would love to cover both of these in the next one. It would be my honor to join you again."

Vince invites listeners to subscribe, leave reviews, and follow the podcast on social media to stay updated with transformative conversations.

Key Takeaways

• Self-Awareness and Risk Management: Understanding and evolving your risk tolerance is crucial for personal and career growth.
• Adaptive Leadership: Effective management of Gen Z requires transparency, meritocracy, and the ability to foster reciprocal learning relationships.
• Skill Development: Focus on developing unique, human-centric skills that set you apart in a technologically advanced workforce.
• Community Building: Surround yourself with a diverse and intentional community to broaden your perspectives and opportunities.
• Strategic Change: Embrace change thoughtfully and strategically, ensuring commitment and relationship building over superficial adjustments.

Notable Quotes

• Katie Curry ([03:57]): "Knowing yourself and your risk tolerance was very important. I have moved into a phase of exploration and looking at various opportunities."
• Katie Curry ([08:47]): "Gen Z appreciates a true meritocracy rather than a hierarchical culture."
• Vince Chan ([14:35]): "Change takes commitment. It’s a thoughtful strategy to make things better for yourself and those you care about."
• Katie Curry ([21:59]): "Reflection time is the most important pillar. It’s about thinking what you need to do to get better each week."

For more transformative insights and to join a community of ambitious change-makers, subscribe to Chief Change Officer on LinkedIn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube @chiefchangeofficer.