Motivating Gen Z at Work: Cultivating high-performing, multigenerational teams

EXPECTED RELEASE DATE: LATE NOVEMBER 2026. PRE-ORDER NOW!

Do Gen Z have a work-ethic? Are Gen Z entitled? Are they resilient? Business leaders often express their concern that when it comes to promotions, job titles and increased pay packets, Gen Z “want it all now”. For a generation who have been raised in a technologically immersed, entertainment saturated and globally networked context, managers and co-workers need to understand how to communicate with this new generation of employees. Understanding key attraction, engagement and retention strategies is essential for leaders, as a motivated workforce leads to higher retention, improved output, and competitive advantage. Faced with changing social realities and new generational attitudes, leaders are wrestling with how to build an effective multigenerational workforce which straddles the generational span from the Baby Boomers through to Generation X, Generation Y (Millennials), Generation Z, and the incoming Generation Alpha. 

Based on extensive research by Dr Claire Madden, this book is an immensely practical guide to equip leaders, managers and co-workers alike across all spheres of business and society to better understand what motivates Gen Z at work and to be equipped to shape an optimal performance culture for all generations.

Expected release date: late November 2026

What readers have said:

"Young Australians are arriving in the workforce carrying more distress than any generation before them, and too many workplaces respond with perks instead of people. Claire Madden's research points somewhere better: relationships, psychological safety, trust and growth. This is a practical, humane guide to getting the best from Gen Z, and to being the kind of workplace that deserves them."
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg AO, child and adolescent psychologist and author.

“I have to admit, this has been a topic I have at times dismissed as ‘stereotyping’, but the combination of research, and impactful storytelling in this book helped me put myself in Gen Z’s shoes in a new way. This is powerful for anyone in leadership, including those with globally dispersed teams.”
Stuart Robertson, Chief Operating Officer, AvePoint Inc.” based in NY USA

"Dr Claire Madden brings a rare combination of rigorous research, practical insight and genuine curiosity about people. In this book, she moves beyond the headlines and stereotypes to explore what really motivates the next generation of talent. The result is an engaging and highly practical guide for leaders who want to build cultures where people can thrive and perform at their best. This book is not just about Gen Z; it is about building more connected, purposeful and high-performing organisations for people of all generations. Every leader interested in attracting, developing and retaining exceptional talent should read it." 
Anu Villarosa, Chief Operating Officer at HWLE Lawyers.

“A timely reminder that we are all shaped by the cultural environment we grew up in, and social harmony depends on our ability to bridge our differences through more empathic listening, mutual understanding and respect. After all, ‘we’ are as different from ‘them’ as they are from us. Whether our differences are based on gender, ethnicity, generational or other factors, our need to be heard, understood and accepted is universal. Claire Madden’s book offers us useful insights into the values and motivations of the newest arrivals in the workplace, and practical strategies for improving our understanding – and appreciation – of each other.”
Hugh Mackay AO, social psychologist and bestselling author.

"Gen Z are no longer the ‘next generation’. They are the here and now. In this incredibly practical book, Claire Madden offers an essential guide for leaders who want to understand, engage and get the very best from the emerging talent in their teams." Michael McQueen, Trend forecaster and 10x bestselling author.

 "As an educational leader, guiding and mentoring the next generation of teachers coming into our schools is critical. Claire Madden provides an invaluable roadmap for school leaders seeking to understand, support, and get the absolute best out of Gen Z graduating teachers as they launch their teaching careers. An indispensable resource for building cross-generational understanding."
Simon Clarke, Principal, Tahuna Normal Intermediate School

 “The answer to the question “How would you describe the work-ethic of your generation” was a light bulb moment for me. Never have the generational motivations been so clearly and eloquently described. This alone has changed the way I will manage my team.”
Cheryl Taylor, CEO and Owner of The Canberra Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Clinic, Co-Founder at Capstone Medical.