Thinking Differently About Recruitment ✔ Candidate Experience ✔ Employer Branding ✔ Restaurant Openings & People Operations
I had to share this brilliant post from Leslie Haas. It perfectly captures something I’ve seen firsthand in recruitment. The phrase "Gen Z is complicated" gets thrown around a lot, but I believe it misses the point. They aren't asking for anything different than any other generation—they just want to feel heard, understood, and like their work matters. The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, our people-first approach is the foundation of our success. When we lead with genuine respect, we’re not just recruiting candidates; we’re building a family. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. What’s one thing you've learned about leading or working with a generation different from your own?
I hear it often: “Gen Z is complicated to work with.” But in my experience, leading a social media team of 22 at The Indigo Road Hospitality Group (majority of them Gen Z), I’ve found they’re not so different from how we millennials were once perceived by the generation before us. We, too, were labeled “complicated”—when what we really wanted was to feel heard, understood, and valued. The truth is, Gen Z is asking for the same thing every generation asks for: respect, clarity, and the chance to contribute authentically. When we meet them with curiosity instead of criticism, we not only bridge the generational gap—we unlock new ideas, new energy, and a stronger culture. Leading across generations is never about resisting change. It’s about listening, adapting, and building the trust that makes teams thrive.
Thank you for sharing, Paul!