Peer to Peer: ILTA's Quarterly Magazine
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/1540097
P E E R T O P E E R M A G A Z I N E · F A L L 2 0 2 5 65 LILY WEN, FTI Technology Managing Director, has over 20 years of experience advising and supporting clients on the use of technology in e-discovery, legal hold management, and data management. She knows the ins and outs of the technology industry — what works best, how to make improvements, and how to ensure everyone has a voice. With these characteristics in mind, employers and managers should be bold in assigning Generation Z employees real responsibilities and the freedom to shape their approach to work. Rather than micromanaging, leaders can create the conditions for Generation Z to lead themselves, contribute their perspectives, and foster a stronger connection to the team. It is essential to listen to their insights on technology and innovation, and to provide opportunities that align with their ambitions. The nature of the projects they are assigned plays a critical role in sustaining their engagement, fostering their professional growth, and ultimately shaping their long- term career development. It is also essential to lead with a positive attitude. When leaders succumb to the negativity of stress, it can have a magnifying effect on their team, especially among team members who are more open and personally connected at work, as many Generation Z employees tend to be. That care is a wonderful thing, but managers must also be aware that they are not leading in a way that causes their teams to absorb counterproductive mindsets. Leaders influence to change people's perspectives, careers, and lives. That responsibility and impact should never be taken lightly. With any generation or employees with varying attitudes towards technology, it is essential to consider issues from the individual's perspective. Recognizing how they experience and view the world differently from other team members makes it possible to provide tailored advice and realistic guidance for growth, which will be necessary for simultaneously developing a new generation of professionals and adapting to technological change. As Dumbledore wisely said, "It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." Leaders who choose to listen, respect, and empower will shape stronger teams and stronger futures.