Gen Z entrepreneurs bring fresh perspectives to leadership, informed by their early experiences as interns. For example, Katie Diasti, founder of Viv Period Care, emphasized the importance of involving team members in understanding the full scope of the business to foster ownership and motivation. Similarly, Anam Lakhani, co-founder of Alinea Invest, strives to make each team member feel impactful by linking their work directly to company progress and user experience.
Young founders like Liam Ryan of Streetleaf balance their lack of traditional experience with humility and strong mentorship. They face the challenge of managing older employees and overcame skepticism from external stakeholders by confidently demonstrating the value and sustainability of their innovative products. These leaders show that respect in the workplace stems from transparency, trust, impactful work, and confidently challenging outdated perceptions.