There are a lot of misunderstandings about Gen Z in the workplace and in this episode we aim to clear some of those up and equip you to lead intergenerational teams successfully.

My guest Alex Atherton—former head teacher turned leadership coach and author of The Snowflake Myth—is here to challenge the “snowflake” stereotype and get practical about leading Gen Z.

We explore what’s really driving Gen Z at work and how to recruit, onboard, and set expectations without lowering the bar. We also talk about how to get intergenerational teams communicating successfully and the skills we need to develop as leaders to get the most out of this younger generation entering the workplace.

This is Influence & Impact for Leaders, the podcast that helps leaders like you increase your impact and build a happy and high performing team. Each episode delivers focused, actionable insights you can implement immediately, to be better at your job without working harder.

About Alex Atherton:

Alex Atherton is an experienced educator, keynote speaker and leadership coach. Previously Alex spent 25 years working in inner-city comprehensive secondary schools, of which over half was spent as a headteacher in London.

Links for Alex:

Website

Book: The Snowflake Myth

LinkedIn

Work with Carla:

• Impactful Teams Scorecard – Discover how your team measures up and how you can grow your team’s impact.
• 1:1 Leadership Coaching with Carla – get support to help you get your voice heard at work and develop your career. Book a discovery call

📢 If This Resonated…

Please share this episode with a fellow leader who needs to hear it.

Leave a review to support the show or reach out to me directly — I’d love to hear what landed most for you.

Do you ever feel like your to-do list is controlling you instead of the other way around? As a leader, overwhelm can sneak up fast—and it can take a toll on your confidence, focus, and impact.

In this episode we’re diving into practical strategies to help you pause, regain clarity, and take control of your day. You’ll learn four key steps that can shift your mindset, streamline your priorities, and help you feel more grounded—even when the pressure is on.

Whether you’re juggling multiple projects, managing a team, or just trying to stay sane through back-to-back meetings, this episode is packed with insights to help you work smarter, not harder.

Listen in to discover:

• How a simple shift in perspective can instantly reduce stress

• Why doing less might actually increase your impact

• What tasks to start saying no to

If you’re ready to feel more focused, confident, and in control at work, this episode is for you.

This is Influence & Impact for Leaders, the podcast that helps leaders like you increase your impact and build a happy and high performing team. Each episode delivers focused, actionable insights you can implement immediately, to be better at your job without working harder.

Work with Carla:

• Impactful Teams Scorecard – Discover how your team measures up and how you can grow your team’s impact.
• 1:1 Leadership Coaching with Carla – get support to help you get your voice heard at work and develop your career. Book a discovery call

📢 If This Resonated…

Please share this episode with a fellow leader who needs to hear it.

Leave a review to support the show or reach out to me directly — I’d love to hear what landed most for you.

If you’ve ever found yourself dreading a meeting with your boss or wondering how to navigate a tricky relationship with them, you’re not alone. In this episode of Influence & Impact for Leaders, I’m joined again by the brilliant Jennifer McCanna – accredited coach, podcast host of My Emotional Work Life, and expert on navigating the emotional highs and lows of work.

Together, we explore why our relationship with our boss has such a huge impact on how we feel at work, the different “types” of difficult bosses you might come across, and how to work more effectively with them – without losing your sanity or confidence.

We cover:

• The most common “types” of difficult boss
• How to understand what’s driving your boss so you can partner with them
• Simple tools to stay calm and grounded before tough meetings
• Ways to make sure you’re not accidentally someone else’s “difficult boss”

If you want to feel calmer, more in control and more influential in your relationship with your boss, this episode is packed with ideas and tools you can start using right away.

This is Influence & Impact for Leaders, the podcast that helps leaders like you increase your impact and build a happy and high performing team. Each episode delivers focused, actionable insights you can implement immediately, to be better at your job without working harder.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

My Emotional Work Life Podcast

Ep 03: The difficult boss survival guide | Jen McCanna

Ep 02: Finding a job after a toxic work experience | Jen McCanna

About Jen:

Jen is sought after as a leadership coach who is often asked to help clients overcome periods of challenge and change, helping them rebuild their confidence and self-belief and realise their ambition. She supports leaders to manage their energy and navigate their emotions so they can feel calm and resourceful at work.

Not only an experienced coach with the international coaching federation, Jen is a emotional freedom technique (EFT) practitioner, Resilience Dynamic practitioner and designs and delivers leadership development programmes and team building days for clients across the charity, corporate and public sectors.

In her podcast – My Emotional Work Life – Jen and her guests share stories and strategies that help listeners navigate the rollercoaster that is working life. Check it episodes on difficult bosses, job hunting after a toxic work experiences and navigating the menopause at work.

Ever experienced a toxic work relationship, badly handled restructure or the challenge of an HR process which rumbles on and on? Feel it knocked you for six a bit? Then Jen is your coach!

Find My Emotional Work Life here: https://podfollow.com/my-emotional-work-life

And her website is full of resources designed to make the lives of busy leaders easier

You can follow Jen @jen_the_leadership_coach on Instagram or here on LinkedIn.

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