Challenges and Solutions for Storytelling in Shepherding:
Shepherding with storytelling across generations has challenges. It’s time-intensive compared to leading with efficiency, but brief story-sharing moments—like a 10-minute weekly huddle—can help.
Another challenge is ensuring both generations’ wisdom is valued; the solution is to balance storytelling prompts, asking older leaders to share lessons and Gen Z to reflect on their own insights.
Finally, including diverse Gen Z voices requires curating stories that reflect varied experiences, such as a first-gen professional’s journey. A mentor might pair a story about a missed deadline with a question for Gen Z, like, “How would you approach this differently?”—ensuring both perspectives shine. These strategies make storytelling a powerful shepherding tool that fosters mutual growth.
Conclusion: A Future of Shared Wisdom
Shepherding, fueled by storytelling, unlocks Gen Z’s potential by creating a space where older generations share wisdom and Gen Z taps into their own intuitive insights. This two-way exchange fosters trust, sparks creativity, and builds community—qualities Gen Z craves in 2025’s workplace.
A 2025 Deloitte Gen Z Survey underscores this: 65% of Gen Z say storytelling from leaders boosts their career motivation, while 58% feel more empowered when encouraged to share their own wisdom.
My challenge to leaders is simple: Share a story and ask your Gen Z team to reflect on their own this week—watch the connection grow. As Gen Z, the next greatest generation, redefines work, shepherding with storytelling will pave the way for a more collaborative, wisdom-rich future.
A personal note: Wishing two of my favorite Gen Z’ers, Brooke Hunter Elliott and Tyler Hunter Elliott—Congratulations on your respective college graduations!!