The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast 1KHO 611: 26 Is the New 18 | Tim Elmore, The Future Begins With Z
Nov 4, 2025
In this lively discussion, Tim Elmore, a leadership expert and author, explores the generational dynamics facing Gen Z. He delves into the 'Peter Pan paradox,' where maturity delays even as authority diminishes. Tim highlights Gen Z's tech fluency alongside their struggles with people skills, and shares practical ways for parents and leaders to cultivate emotional intelligence. He emphasizes the importance of soft skills in the AI age and the need for a supportive environment that fosters independence and resilience in young people.
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Peter Pan Paradox
- Gen Z shows deep technological fluency but delayed social and emotional maturity compared to prior generations.
- Tim Elmore calls this the “Peter Pan paradox”: authority ages fall while maturity ages rise.
Train Emotional Intelligence Early
- Build emotional intelligence deliberately through family routines and practice, starting in late elementary school.
- Teach self-awareness, social awareness, and emotion regulation to give Gen Z a workplace edge over AI.
Entrepreneurial Tilt Of Gen Z
- Gen Z is highly entrepreneurial and prefers starting ventures to joining old structures.
- Roughly 72% of high-schoolers want to be entrepreneurs, revealing a shift in career expectations.
