Ready or not—here they come! In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Kelly Sanderson, Director at the J. Harley Bonds Career Center, to better understand the next generation of professionals preparing to enter modern workplaces. Kelly shares why Gen Z is increasingly drawn to specialization and skilled trades, and why leaders need to move beyond simply assigning tasks and start helping young professionals understand the bigger picture behind their work. Kamber and Kelly also discuss the growing importance of teaching soft skills—things like small talk, phone etiquette, confidence, posture, and communication—which are often assumed rather than intentionally taught. Kelly explains why younger generations are seeking constant feedback and approval, how shorter attention spans require leaders to engage differently, and why what leaders model matters just as much as what they say. One of the biggest themes throughout the conversation? Learning through failure. If you want to better understand Gen Z—and even get a glimpse into what’s coming next with Gen Alpha—this episode is packed with wisdom for leaders, mentors, and anyone preparing the next generation for success.
