UnBecoming with Elena Joy

Gen Z Called Out Again. Now What?

"Why doesn't Gen Z have a work ethic?!" We hear that time and time again. It turns out, Gen Z actually does have a work ethic. And they're also one of the first generations to hold a genuine capacity and ability to prioritize their mental well-being. Elena explains that by creating a system based on data, compassion, and accountability rather than blame and frustration, Alex and Brayden were able to solve an issue with most of their employees calling out from their shifts 25% of the time. If your organization could use some highly-skilled middle managers, let's talk. You can book a time at https://latitudeleaders.com/contact [https://latitudeleaders.com/contact] Connect with Elena Joy: Substack: https://elenajoyspeaks.substack.com/ [https://elenajoyspeaks.substack.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenajoythurston/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenajoythurston/] https://LatitudeLeaders.com [https://LatitudeLeaders.com] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenajoyspeaks.substack.com [https://elenajoyspeaks.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Bathroom Stall Strategy

Free Networking Cheat Sheet: https://latitudeleaders.com/networkingcheatsheet [https://latitudeleaders.com/networkingcheatsheet] 49 HR conferences in 2023. Elena takes everything she learned in that year and breaks it down into three ways you can show up more authentically as yourself at your next event. Three Words Away: https://latitudeleaders.com/threewordsaway [https://latitudeleaders.com/threewordsawayyConnect] Connect with Elena Joy Thurston on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenajoythurston [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenajoythurston/]/ UnBecoming with Elena Joy on Substack: https://elenajoyspeaks.substack.com/ [https://elenajoyspeaks.substack.com/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenajoyspeaks.substack.com [https://elenajoyspeaks.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Leadership Skill You Already Have Time to Build

The Leadership Skill You Already Have Time to Build How to create connection at work without adding a single thing to your calendar Content Note: This episode includes a brief mention of miscarriage. Episode Summary: Connection at work is a skill, and it's one you already have time to practice. In this episode, Elena Joy breaks down why disconnection is the single biggest predictor of burnout, why managers hold more power over employee engagement than compensation or flexibility, and how the ARC framework gives any leader a repeatable, sustainable path to genuine connection without adding a single thing to their calendar. What You'll Learn: Why your nervous system is wired to need connection at work, and what happens when it doesn't get it The three-step ARC framework: Activate, Reinforce, Codify What Powerful Presence actually looks like in a meeting you're already running Why the best connection systems are the ones light enough to survive a hard week Mentioned in This Episode: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38285544/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38285544/] https://www.gallup.com/services/182138/state-american-manager.aspx [https://www.gallup.com/services/182138/state-american-manager.aspx] https://enboarder.com/blog/how-much-is-human-connection-really-worth/ [https://enboarder.com/blog/how-much-is-human-connection-really-worth/] Free Resource: Grab Elena's five favorite connection questions, the ones she actually uses in meetings, 1:1s, and when she's trying to find someone's spark without making it weird. LatitudeLeaders.com/sv-cheat-sheet [https://latitudeleaders.com/sv-cheat-sheet] Connect with Elena Joy: Substack: https://elenajoyspeaks.substack.com/ [https://elenajoyspeaks.substack.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenajoythurston/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenajoythurston/] Website: LatitudeLeaders.com [http://LatitudeLeaders.com] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenajoyspeaks.substack.com [https://elenajoyspeaks.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Middle Managers Are Deciding Your Future Now (Whether You Train Them or Not)

In this episode, I break down why middle managers are the single greatest lever in your organization — for engagement, retention, and burnout prevention. Using a real story from the public school system, I share how one principal walked into a failing school (fourth leader in four years, morale in the basement) and, without additional funding or lighter workloads, transformed retention, culture, and performance. What changed? Not strategy.Not budget.Not talent. People leadership. Employees don’t experience “the company.”They experience their manager. And research continues to show: Managers are the biggest driver of employee engagement (Gallup). “Relational detachment” is one of the strongest predictors of burnout. 47% of employees who quit say they loved their job, but not their manager. 58% cite management style as the primary reason they leave. Burnout rarely starts with workload.It starts with disconnection. In this conversation, we explore: Why middle managers are the operational layer of burnout prevention How tone, availability, consistency, and conflict style shape retention Why high performers don’t quit companies — they quit managers The daily behaviors that create sustainable engagement How to build connection intentionally instead of by accident If you care about strategy execution, talent retention, and sustainable leadership, this episode is for you. Because right now, your managers are deciding whether your highest performers stay — or take their impact, experience, and institutional memory somewhere else. Not because of compensation.Not because of workload.Because of connection. Resources Mentioned: The Manager Skills Lab – A hands-on leadership training designed to equip middle managers with practical relational leadership skills that stabilize teams and protect capacity. Learn more:🌐 https://LatitudeLeaders.com [https://LatitudeLeaders.com]🔥 Burnout Prevention Starter Kit: https://BurnoutStarterKit.com [https://BurnoutStarterKit.com] If this resonated: Subscribe for more conversations on sustainable leadership Share this with an executive or HR leader Comment: What’s one leadership behavior that changed your experience at work? Let’s create your organization’s future by design, not default. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenajoyspeaks.substack.com [https://elenajoyspeaks.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

How to Show Up as a Leader on Jan 8, 2026

Leaders in the US, let's chat about how can you show up for your people on a day like today. Links to the resources mentioned below. Somatic breathing exercise audio - https://latitudeleaders.com/grounding [https://latitudeleaders.com/grounding] Burnout Prevention Starter Kit - https://latitudeleaders.com/burnoutstarterkit [https://latitudeleaders.com/burnoutstarterkit] List of Core Values - https://latitudeleaders.com/corevalueslist [https://latitudeleaders.com/corevalueslist] Joyful Office Hours - https://calendly.com/elenajoythurston/joyful-office-hours [https://calendly.com/elenajoythurston/joyful-office-hours] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenajoyspeaks.substack.com [https://elenajoyspeaks.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]