How Millennial and Gen Z Leaders are Changing What it Means to be in Charge

11 snips

Aug 19, 2025

Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run for Something and author of "When We're in Charge," discusses the transformative impact of Millennial and Gen Z leaders. She emphasizes the shift towards authenticity and clarity in leadership, contrasting it with traditional norms. Litman dives into how personal expression can coexist with professionalism and the importance of mental health support in the workplace. She also highlights the need for clear communication and kindness as essential tools for modern leaders navigating intergenerational differences.

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ANECDOTE

From Side Project To Movement

Amanda Litman founded Run For Something after 2016 to help young people run for office and it exploded in demand.
The organization grew from a planned 100 to over 225,000 people raising their hands to run for office.

ADVICE

Be Intentionally Authentic

Practice "responsible authenticity" by choosing the version of yourself that advances your goals and models the behavior you want.
Show up intentionally so your presence sets the team temperature rather than reflecting it.

ADVICE

Know Yourself First

Build self-awareness: know your boundaries, the story you want told, and your goals before sharing personal details at work.
Use that clarity to decide what aspects of your life you bring into professional spaces.

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What kinds of changes are you seeing from Gen Z and Millennial leaders? Workforce demographics are shifting these days, as more and more Baby Boomers retire, opening up higher-level management and leadership positions that Millennials and Gen Zers are rushing to fill. This wave of next-gen leaders is bringing a tide of change, ditching old ideas of professionalism and proving that bold and authentic is the new standard.

Amanda Litman literally wrote the guidebook for this new and decidedly different generation of leaders. “When We’re in Charge” explores why the old ways are fading out and the fresh approach to authenticity, professionalism, and clear communication is going to revolutionize the workplace. In fact, it’s already started.

Amanda is teaching a new generation of leaders to redefine leadership on their terms:

How to be an authentic leader while supporting your career goals;
The many ways the look, feel, and sound of leadership has changed;
How what you wear to work impacts your leadership (spoiler: it’s not what you think);
What the older generation of leaders can take away from the incoming cohort.