If workplace culture is failing, are we brave enough to use Gen Z as the prototype for what comes next?

In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Amanda Schneider, the founder and president of ThinkLab, joins host Evelyn Lee to discuss her transition from a "designer by degree" to a leading researcher in the built environment. As the author of the upcoming book Work for What’s Next, Amanda explores the uncomfortable truth that current workplace structures are struggling to keep up with the shifting expectations of the modern workforce. She shares insights from her viral research into Gen Z, explaining how this generation is not a "problem to manage," but a vital signal for the digital-first evolution that the architecture and design industry must undergo to remain relevant.

The conversation delves into the "trust gap" currently widening between leadership and staff, and the specific role physical space plays in closing it. Amanda breaks down the findings from ThinkLab’s latest research, challenging architects and designers to think beyond traditional ROI and consider how physical environments can foster psychological safety and authentic connection. She discusses the friction between "analog natives" and "digital natives," offering a roadmap for firms to move beyond describing industry problems and toward building a culture that prioritizes people as much as projects.

"Workplace culture is failing. Gen Z can see why. And if we're willing to use them as a prototype rather than a problem, they show us exactly where the profession needs to go." - Amanda Schneider

Beyond generational shifts, Amanda and Evelyn discuss the business of research itself and the importance of data in shaping the future of practice. From her journey of building and selling a company to her current focus on the "trust survey," Amanda emphasizes that the future of the profession belongs to those who can bridge the gap between digital-first thinking and the irreplaceable value of physical space.

Guest:

Amanda Schneider is the founder and president of ThinkLab, a premier market research company wholly focused on the built environment (now a part of Sandow). A designer, journalist, and researcher, her work on Gen Z and workplace culture has been featured in Forbes, MIT Sloan Management Review, and a TEDx talk with over half a million views. Her book, Work for What’s Next, focuses on the evolution of professional culture.

This episode is especially for you if:

✅You want to understand why Gen Z is the "prototype" for the future of work rather than just a generational trend.

✅You are a firm leader interested in closing the "trust gap" within your organization.

✅You are an "analog native" looking for strategies to pivot toward a digital-first mindset in a design practice.

✅You are curious about the evolving ROI of physical office space and how it impacts firm culture.

✅You want to hear how market research can be a catalyst for meaningful change in the architecture and design industry.

What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.

📍 Show Links:

Learn more about ThinkLab
Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn
Order Work for What’s Next
Join in their latest research by taking this survey
Listen to Amanda’s podcast
Watch Amanda’s TED Talk

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231: Work for What's Next: ThinkLab's Amanda Schneider on the 10 Shifts Reshaping Practice