Maxwell Leadership Podcast

Episode Title: The Future Begins with Z with Tim Elmore and John Maxwell
Date: October 31, 2025
Host: John Maxwell
Guests: Tim Elmore, Mark Cole

Overview

This episode centers around the launch of Tim Elmore's latest book, "The Future Begins with Z," which delves into understanding, engaging, and leading Generation Z in the workplace. The conversation, led by John Maxwell, Tim Elmore, and CEO Mark Cole, offers insights into generational shifts, leadership strategies for Gen Z, debunking stereotypes, and practical advice for equipping organizations and leaders to embrace this generation's strengths and differences. The overall theme is one of curiosity, empathy, and proactive adjustment by leaders to bridge generational gaps and prepare for the future.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Longstanding Partnership & Focus on Generations

• [01:40–02:37] Mark reflects on John's and Tim's 40+ year collaboration to impact younger generations, emphasizing Tim's enduring passion for young people.
• John Maxwell: "Tim had a great heart for young people...your calling and leaning right now is to help people, people of my generation and even his generation, understand them."

2. Tim Elmore’s Book "The Future Begins with Z"

• [03:18–04:54] Tim discusses the shifting generational landscape in the workplace and introduces the central purpose of his book: helping leaders better navigate and support Gen Z employees.
• The book addresses 9 key areas managers struggle with regarding Gen Z, e.g., interviewing, onboarding, inspiring, motivating, and retaining.

3. Gen Z Myths & Realities

• [05:28–07:30] Tim shares the "Peter Pan Paradox"—Gen Zs’ paradoxical blend of early authority (e.g., tech skills) with delayed maturity (softer skills, life experience).
• Notable Quote: "The age of authority seems to be going down, but the age of maturity seems to be going up." – Tim Elmore [08:31]

4. A Real-World Gen Z Case Study

• [05:50–07:51] Tim recounts the story of Colin Webb, an MIT grad whose innovative ideas were dismissed at GM, resulting in his departure and subsequent entrepreneurial successes.
• Lesson: Traditional companies risk losing top young talent by rejecting their contributions and not creating startup-like, agile zones within established organizations.

5. Valuing Gen Z: From Commodity to Currency

• [10:47–12:18] John stresses the importance of valuing young employees to foster investment and retention.
• Notable Quote: "If I don't value you, I won't invest in you." – John Maxwell [11:05]
• Tim develops this, suggesting leaders treat Gen Zers as "currency" to invest in rather than "commodities" to expend.

6. Misconceptions That Reflect on Us as Leaders

• [12:22–15:20] Tim pushes back on stereotypes. Example: A Gen Zer explained she leaves work at 5 p.m. not due to laziness, but to manage multiple jobs and care for a sick parent.
• Myth-busting: Gen Zers' work ethic and respect for elders are best unlocked through relationship and understanding, not assumptions.

7. Assumptions vs. Curiosity

• [15:38–16:24] John underlines the need for leaders to "go from assumptions to questions" in engaging with Gen Z.
• Notable Quote: "If you don't have an understanding, you have a misunderstanding." – John Maxwell [16:07]

8. Leadership Skills & Gen Z's Strengths

• [17:12–19:07] Tim notes Gen Z’s intuition about the future and their desire for flatter organizational structures.
• Importance of involving them in planning and decision-making (fluid intelligence), and recognizing changing influence dynamics—from positional to relational.

9. Retention & Internal Gig Economies

• [20:15–23:53] Leaders should create "internal gig economies," giving Gen Z autonomy, flexibility, and the sense of a startup within larger organizations.
• Flexibility, objective-based management, and avoiding prescriptive micromanagement are key.

10. Communication Preferences

• [24:20–27:24] Tim advocates "reverse mentoring": leaders not only impart but actively listen and learn from Gen Z.
• Hard feedback should follow the "A LEG" process:
  • Ask (value their thinking)
  • Listen (actively)
  • Empathize (show understanding)
  • Guide (offer direction afterwards)

11. Cross-Generational Communication Principles

• [27:40–28:49] John Maxwell distills effective leadership: "It's all about them." Leaders must focus on understanding and serving others, regardless of age.

12. Mental Health & Anxiety

• [28:53–32:10] Gen Z faces unprecedented anxiety levels.
• Tim’s 4 Ms for supporting mental health:
  • Margin: Schedule downtime
  • Movement: Encourage physical activity
  • Mindfulness: Teach focus and de-stressing techniques
  • Management: Sometimes, professional or medical help is appropriate

13. Connecting Across Generations

• [32:35–34:45] John recounts connecting with a 16-year-old by focusing the conversation entirely on the teen’s interests and experiences.
• Notable Quote: "People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care." – John Maxwell [33:14]

14. Gen Z as an Opportunity for Leaders

• [35:11–38:32] Tim shares how Gen Z is "the sandpaper on my leadership I didn’t know I needed." Leaders should move from "frustration to fascination," learning from the next generation.
• Story: NASA’s 1969 moon landing succeeded through trusting young operators (average age 27), supervised and mentored by veterans—a model for present-day teams.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "We don't know much about the future but we know one thing, Gen Z's gonna be there. We may not be." – Tim Elmore [19:02]
• "Never be afraid to invest in the inevitable. And they're the inevitable." – Bob Taylor, cited by Tim Elmore [19:13]
• "The corporate ladder has become the corporate lily pad. They're hopping around and they don't care about climbing." – Tim Elmore [20:23]
• "If you devalue them... good luck." – John Maxwell [11:25]
• "Bridge, not a badge." – Tim Elmore [15:00]
• "Parents are applying for jobs for their kids and sitting in on interviews!" – Tim Elmore [21:45]
• "Generation Z is the sandpaper on my leadership I did not know I needed." – Teresa, cited by Tim Elmore [35:11]
• "Let's invest in [the young], not an old man." – John Maxwell [34:45]
• NASA's moon landing: Average age of operators was 27; pivotal decisions were assigned to those as young as 23.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:08–01:43 – Podcast introduction & discussion of Tim/John’s long partnership
• 03:18–04:54 – Why Gen Z is seen as difficult and the focus of the new book
• 05:28–09:39 – Gen Z’s unique workplace profile & the Peter Pan Paradox
• 07:51–08:25 – Colin Webb’s story (GM, innovation, leaving corporate)
• 12:18–15:38 – Common myths/leaders’ misunderstandings about Gen Z
• 16:15–16:24 – John Maxwell on the importance of asking, not assuming
• 17:12–19:15 – Leadership skills to encourage in Gen Z
• 20:15–23:53 – How to retain Gen Z: Internal gig economy, flexibility, avoiding gaslighting
• 24:34–27:24 – Communication tips: Reverse mentoring, the "A LEG" feedback framework
• 28:53–32:10 – Addressing Gen Z's anxiety and mental health challenges
• 32:35–34:45 – John Maxwell’s approach to connecting one-on-one with Gen Zers
• 35:08–38:32 – Generational learning: Failure/success stories (Kodak/NASA)
• 38:59–39:16 – Mutual appreciation and closing reflections

Actionable Leadership Takeaways

• Value first: The foundation for engagement and influence, especially with younger generations, is genuine value and respect.
• Bridge generational gaps by listening, not assuming: Move from assumptions to curiosity; ask questions to uncover individual motivations.
• Invest and mentor: Create opportunities for Gen Zers to contribute meaningfully, with the support and wisdom of veteran leaders.
• Flexibility & autonomy: Organizational systems must adapt to flatter, more flexible models to retain and utilize Gen Z talent.
• Mental health matters: Build margin, movement, mindfulness, and proactive management of well-being into your team culture.
• Shift from "badge" to "bridge": Authority is best earned via relational connection, not positional power.

Final Thoughts

This episode highlights the importance of seeing Gen Z not as a problem to solve, but as a dynamic and essential force shaping the future of workplaces and society. Through humor, stories, and practical strategies, Tim Elmore and John Maxwell challenge leaders to self-reflect, adapt, and embrace the inevitable change represented by Generation Z—with relational acumen, humility, and hope.