19. Why Gen Z Doesn’t Want Leadership Roles and What That Means for You

In this episode of B-Student Podcast, Betsy sits down again with Addison, Chief Marketing Officer at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, to continue a candid, funny, and practical conversation on navigating Gen X–Gen Z dynamics at work.

We talk about:

• Why humor (yes, even the “how do I open this PDF?” moment) can bridge generations without belittling anyone
• The real “cheat codes” early-career pros can use to become indispensable — technical competency, reliability, and good judgment
• The ego reset from college to the workplace and how to accelerate growth by listening first
• Making promotions make sense in the AI era — not just managing more people, but owning systems, tools, and outcomes
• Flexible compensation beyond salary: time, trust, and culture that actually retain talent
• Betsy’s 3C framework (Control, Content, Compensation) for choosing roles and building teams
• Why feedback is a gift, how to ask for it, and how leaders can model curiosity

If you’re a leader trying to engage Gen Z, or a Gen Z pro building momentum without burning out, this one’s for you.

Time Stamps:

• 0:00 – Welcome back & why this convo matters
• 2:15 – The infamous “PDF” joke: humor as a generational bridge
• 5:40 – The Gen Z “tech expert by default” expectation
• 9:05 – Becoming indispensable: showing value early in your career
• 12:30 – Ego reset: from college senior to workplace freshman
• 16:10 – Curiosity as a superpower in the AI era
• 19:45 – Promotions beyond people management: new ways to recognize talent
• 23:20 – Flexible compensation & why Gen Z values time over money
• 26:40 – Building trust before asking for flexibility (the Pilates example)
• 30:00 – Feedback as a gift: how to receive and use it
• 33:15 – The 3C framework: Control, Content, Compensation
• 36:00 – Final takeaways & closing

Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with leaders, innovators, and change-makers who are shaping the future of business and community.

Watch now and drop a comment with the one word that describes your B-side.

Subscribe, rate, and share the B Student Podcast—because the B side of your story might just be the best part.

Connect with Addison Cursey:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/addison-cursey-mba-353344151/
Connect with Betsy Gardner: https://www.betsygardner.com/ 

Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/

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Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/