Podcast

Katriina Makinen: Is Gen Z Hard to Manage or Are We Leading Them Wrong?

Podcast

Katriina Makinen: Is Gen Z Hard to Manage or Are We Leading Them Wrong?

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Katriina Makinen: Is Gen Z Hard to Manage or Are We Leading Them Wrong?

In this latest episode of the Manufacturing Leaders podcast, Mark welcomes leadership and career coach Katriina Makinen to discuss leading across generations and what businesses can do to attract, support and retain younger talent.

The conversation explores the changing expectations of the workforce, with Katriina challenging common assumptions about Gen Z and encouraging leaders to understand what motivates them.


She highlights the importance of leadership training, discussing why being good at a technical role does not automatically prepare someone to manage a team.


Mark and Katriina also reflect on communication, workplace boundaries and psychological safety, including how everyday habits, such as sending an evening email, can affect employees.


With manufacturing teams often spanning apprentices through to colleagues approaching retirement, the episode considers how leaders can bridge different perspectives and create opportunities for the next generation.


Katriina’s advice is simple: be curious. Asking questions and taking time to understand your people can be the starting point for building a stronger team.


This is an episode you do not want to miss!


Click here to connect with Katriina on LinkedIn.


Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward.


Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK.


If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytim


You can call us on 0191 511 1298. 


We have recently launched the Manufacturing Leaders Community! 


If you are an MD, CEO, Operations Director, Plant Manager, Engineering Director, HR Director or Supply Chain leader working in manufacturing and engineering across the North East, Yorkshire and beyond, this is open to you!


Click here to learn more and join the community!

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