HR in 2026: Culture, Communication and the Generation Gap

HR in 2026: Culture, Communication and the Generation Gap

Alastair welcomes Farzana Parkar, an HR consultant at face2face HR and who describes herself as an Xennial with 15 years’ experience in HR.  In this episode, Farzana and Alastair explore what working in HR really looks like in 2026, from Gen Z’s reluctance to “play the game” and the importance of robust onboarding, to the disconnect between what companies promise during recruitment and what employees actually experience when they arrive.  As the first HR guest on the podcast, Farzana works with businesses of all shapes and sizes, helping them navigate the increasingly complex world of people management, workplace culture and employment law. The discussion also looks at why culture must start at the top, how poor management drives disengagement, why communication needs to be personal and omnichannel. Farzana also talks about how AI may be changing recruitment, while making the human touch more important than ever. Farzana Parkar Takeaways: * Generational conflict often comes not from personality clashes, but from different assumptions about office presence, response times, communication and what respect looks like * Good onboarding matters more than ever: younger employees often expect organisations to be explicit about how things work rather than relying on unspoken rules and subtext * Culture cannot be delegated to HR — leaders must “walk the talk” and model the behaviour and values they expect from everyone else * Employee engagement should be a continuous conversation, not a performative annual survey; regular touchpoints help organisations spot issues before people quietly disengage * Don’t confuse different with wrong: a preference for WhatsApp, voice notes or another communication channel is not laziness — it is simply a different communication style * Job applicants should research the organisation and personalise their applications rather than relying too heavily on AI; the human voice is what helps people stand out * HR has evolved from an administrative function into a strategic business partner, but however much technology changes the workplace, the human element remains irreplaceable Farzana Parkar Links http://www.linkedin.com/in/fparkarhr [http://www.linkedin.com/in/fparkarhr]  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555821285235 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555821285235] https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555821285235 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555821285235] Generationally Speaking Links: Generationally Speaking Website [https://generationallyspeaking.co.uk/] Generationally Speaking on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/generationally-speaking-uk/] Alastair on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairgreener%20%20%20%20Alastair%20Greener%20on%20LinkedIn]

The Art of Speaking Up: A Gen Z's Journey From Shy to Stage

Alastair sits down with Danny Wang, a 23-year-old Gen Z IT sales professional who transformed himself from a shy, introverted teenager into a national-level public speaking champion in under a year. Danny's story is a compelling one. After leaving school without qualifications and working two jobs, he made a deliberate decision to reinvent himself through communication, networking, and public speaking, and he hasn't looked back since. Now the President of Reading Speakers (a Toastmasters club), a public speaking mentor, and a driven IT sales professional closing deals and earning company-wide recognition, Danny is living proof that Gen Z can, and does in his case, break every stereotype. In this episode, he shares frank insights on generational bias in sales, why communication skills are the ultimate career superpower, and what it really takes to stand out in a crowded job market. Danny Wang Takeaways: * Communication is the skill that flows into every corner of life from confidence and personal brand to sales and relationships * Self-respect is the foundation of growth. Earning it through hard work and doing difficult things changes everything * Gen Z can overcome the stereotype of poor communication, and those who do will have a massive competitive edge * Proactive onboarding wins. Take accountability for your own learning rather than waiting for the organisation to hand you answers * Generational bias in sales is real but manageable if you let your results do the talking * Joining a speaking club like Toastmasters is one of the most affordable, high-return investments a young professional can make * The advice to parents is to push your children out of their comfort zone early. New people, new experiences and new challenges build the resilience and confidence that school alone cannot Danny Wang Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannywang-sales/?skipRedirect=true [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannywang-sales/?skipRedirect=true]https://eatcogni.com/ [https://eatcogni.com/] Generationally Speaking Links: Generationally Speaking Website [https://generationallyspeaking.co.uk/] Generationally Speaking on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/generationally-speaking-uk/] Alastair on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairgreener%20%20%20%20Alastair%20Greener%20on%20LinkedIn]

Cultural Intelligence Across Generations: How to Lead Across the Divide

Alastair welcomes Victoria Rennoldson, a multi-award-winning global leadership coach, international speaker, bestselling author, and podcast host specialising in strategic communication and cultural intelligence. A cusp Millennial who began her career at Boots before founding her own business, Victoria now works with leaders and organisations worldwide, helping them navigate the communication challenges that arise when different generations, nationalities, and organisational cultures collide. In this episode, Victoria and Alastair explore what today's multigenerational boardrooms are really grappling with, from the rise of younger leaders in their mid-30s, to the frustration of Gen Z employees who feel flexibility is applied unfairly, to the question of what actually gets people back into the office (hint: it's not pizza Fridays or beanbags). Victoria introduces her Cultural Intelligence framework, explains why curiosity is the essential starting point for any cross-generational relationship, and shares what vulnerable, human leadership truly looks like in practice. Victoria Rennoldson Takeaways: * Cultural intelligence (CQ) starts with curiosity — genuinely wanting to understand someone's perspective before drawing conclusions about their generation, culture, or values * Don't confuse generational labels with individual identity: see the person in front of you, not just the stereotype * Younger generations expect their leaders to show a human side — vulnerability, including simply saying 'I don't know, but we'll find out together', builds far more trust than projecting certainty * Hybrid working has become the primary generational flashpoint: flexibility must be applied equitably or it becomes a source of deep resentment * What genuinely brings people together in the office is authentic cultural exchange (e.g., bring-a-cultural-dish events) — not surface-level perks Leadership styles are shifting rapidly: organisations must equip managers to lead in flatter, more transparent, psychologically safe ways, not just promote those who did well under the old model * Advising young people on careers: focus on passion and transferable skills — the specific jobs that will exist in 10 years are impossible to predict Victoria Rennoldson Links https://culturecuppa.com/book [https://culturecuppa.com/book]https://linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson [https://linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson]https://culturecuppa.com/podcast/ [https://culturecuppa.com/podcast/] Generationally Speaking Links: Generationally Speaking Website [https://generationallyspeaking.co.uk/] Generationally Speaking on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/generationally-speaking-uk/] Alastair on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairgreener%20%20%20%20Alastair%20Greener%20on%20LinkedIn]

School Superhead on Why Today’s Students Question More

Former school “superhead” Nick Bowen reflects on 20 years leading large secondary schools and turning around failing institutions. Nick explores how education has evolved, from low accountability to data-driven performance management and why today’s students demand earned respect rather than automatic authority. They discuss generational shifts in parenting, rising parental accountability pressures, and what business leaders can learn from schools about belonging, empowerment and accountability. 5 Highlights * The dramatic rise of accountability in education * How modern students require relational authority, not positional authority * The growing challenge of parental entitlement * Building belonging in newly merged school communities * The balance between empowerment and accountability Nick Bowen Takeaways: * Belonging is the foundation of performance * Accountability and empowerment must go hand in hand * Generational differences in schools mirror those in workplaces * Leaders must actively understand new generations entering their institutions * Legacy leadership means passing on wisdom, not clinging to authority Nick Bowen Links www.nickbowen.co.uk [http://www.nickbowen.co.uk/]  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xmRCFprg7k [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xmRCFprg7k] https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-bowen-b40959260/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-bowen-b40959260/] Generationally Speaking Links: Generationally Speaking Website [https://generationallyspeaking.co.uk/] Generationally Speaking on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/generationally-speaking-uk/] Alastair on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairgreener%20%20%20%20Alastair%20Greener%20on%20LinkedIn]

Millennials, Sport, and the Sandwich Generation

Alastair is joined by International archer and Civic Engagement Manager Lizzy Rees who reflects on growing up in a household of five millennials, competing at elite level sport, and working across generations at university. Lizzy shares insights on how sport funding evolved post-Lottery investment, how Gen Z students engage differently, and why millennials are navigating delayed milestones while becoming the dominant workplace generation. With Alastair she explores communication shifts, values-driven students, and how sport can bridge generational divides. Highlights include: * Growing up in a highly structured millennial household * The transformation of UK sport funding and athlete wellbeing * Why Gen Z won’t show up just for free pizza * The realities of hybrid communication across generations * Millennials approaching “sandwich generation” responsibilities Lizzy Rees Takeaways: * Structure builds discipline — but freedom builds resilience * Gen Z are highly values-driven and boundary-aware * Universities must adapt communication methods constantly * Sport’s social value now rivals its competitive value * Cross-generational understanding requires stepping outside comfort zones Lizzy Rees Links Lizzy on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzy-rees/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzy-rees/] Lizzy on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lizzy_does_archery/ [https://www.instagram.com/lizzy_does_archery/] Generationally Speaking Links: Generationally Speaking Website [https://generationallyspeaking.co.uk/] Generationally Speaking on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/generationally-speaking-uk/] Alastair on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairgreener%20%20%20%20Alastair%20Greener%20on%20LinkedIn]