Here's something that's been on my mind this week 🤔 We talk a lot about ownership at work. But ownership shows up in everyday life too. The friend who plans the trip… is the one who shows up energised. The partner who chose the renovation… is the one who finishes it. The kid who picked the sport… is the one who turns up to training. When we hand people a plan, we get compliance. When we build it with them, we get commitment. I just made a video on this using Jocko Willink's *Extreme Ownership* — but I want to hear from you 👇 Where have you seen this play out in your own life? Work, home, relationships, goals — anywhere it lands. Drop a story. Let's learn from each other.

Most conversations don’t fail because of the topic. They fail because people don’t feel safe. That’s the big takeaway from Chapter 7 of Crucial Conversations. When safety drops: • People shut down • Or they push back And nothing productive happens. Great leaders do one thing differently: They create safety first. They make it clear: • We’re on the same team (mutual purpose) • I respect you, no matter what (mutual respect) Your challenge this week: Think of one conversation you’ve been avoiding. Before you have it, ask yourself: How can I make this feel safe for the other person? Drop it below if you’re willing to share: What’s the conversation… and how will you make it safe?

Most leaders think influence comes from having the right answers. It doesn’t. It comes from asking the right questions and truly listening. This is something John C. Maxwell has taught for years, and it completely shifts how you show up as a leader. Because when people feel heard: • Trust builds • Engagement lifts • Performance follows Watch this and then reflect on your last conversation. Did you focus on being interesting…Or being interested?

I overheard a leader last week saying, “Gen Z has no work ethic.” A few years ago, I would’ve agreed. Then I heard Dr. Tim Elmore say this: “Gen Z is the sandpaper on my leadership I didn’t know I needed.” Not the problem. The sandpaper. Here’s the truth, I wasn’t connecting with my Gen Z team members. And I genuinely believe if something hasn’t landed, that’s on me. So I asked why. That one question kicked off everything. The learning, the reading, the passion to become the leader they actually deserved. What I’ve found since: The leaders getting the best out of young talent aren’t softer, they’re sharper. They’ve stopped managing and started coaching. They ask before they tell. They explain the why before the what. Because Gen Z isn’t unmotivated. They’re differently motivated. Purpose over pay. Voice over hierarchy. Development over titles. So I want to open this up to the room 👇 What’s been your biggest challenge leading Gen Z? Or your biggest win? Drop it below , the messy ones, the breakthroughs, the moments you got it wrong and learned something. We all sharpen faster when we share the sandpaper.

🎧 Struggling to connect with the new generation in your workplace? Gen Z are the future of work. The sooner you understand them, the better results they’ll bring you. The happier they’ll be. The more they’ll feel like they belong. They are your greatest asset , especially if you aren’t utilising technology and communication the way you should be. I’ve been doing a deep dive into what the best leadership thinkers are saying about Gen Z. Three podcast episodes every leader needs to hear right now: 1. Simon Sinek — A Bit of Optimism Gen Z in the Workplace with Jonah & David Stillman 🔗 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-bit-of-optimism/id1515385282?i=1000593401187 Stop leading Gen Z the way you needed to be led. Lead them the way they need to be led. Empathy first. Focus on outcomes, not the “how.” Context explains conduct — remember that the next time you feel frustrated with a younger team member. 2. Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast How to Lead Gen Z Well with Dr. Tim Elmore 🔗 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/andy-stanley-leadership-podcast/id290055666?i=1000724360831 Tim Elmore said something that hit hard: “Gen Z is the sandpaper on my leadership I didn’t know I needed.” He also shares the A-LEG feedback framework: → Ask before you tell → Listen — their #1 request is to have a voice → Empathize → Guide 3. Maxwell Leadership Executive Podcast #324 — Gen Z: What You Need to Know to Lead Them 🔗 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/maxwell-leadership-executive-podcast/id1372187307?i=1000681710428 Gen Z isn’t unmotivated. They’re differently motivated. This episode covers how to onboard, develop, and retain them — and why coaching beats bossing every single time.