Let’s get real for a second: How many times recently have you heard—or said—the phrase, “Young people just don’t want to work like we used to”?
If I had a dollar for every time a leader told me that, I’d be retired on a beach with a much better tan. But here’s the “Wake-Up Call” we all need: It’s not that they don’t want to work. It’s that they don’t want to work for you if your leadership style is stuck in 1995.
I recently sat down with the team at CareSmartz360 On Air to dig deep into why home care agencies (and let’s be honest, almost every industry) are struggling to keep young talent. We didn’t just talk about the problem; we talked about the shift required to fix it.
The “Aha!” Moments from the Episode:
1. Stop Treating Orchids Like Cacti: In the old days, we were “trees.” We were deep-rooted and stable. But today’s workforce? They’re “houseplants.” You can’t just water every plant once a week and expect it to thrive. Your Gen Z staff are often “orchids”—they need more frequent feedback and a personalized care plan. If you treat them like a “set-it-and-forget-it” cactus, don’t be surprised when they wither and walk out the door.
2. The Veteran Gap: We often promote our most loyal, veteran staff into leadership roles because they know the work. But do they know how to lead the new generation? We talked about how to train your veterans to be mentors instead of just “managers.” It’s about bridging the gap between “this is how we’ve always done it” and “this is how we engage people today.”
3. Praise is the New Paycheck (Almost): In decentralized environments like home care, your staff is out in the field. They feel invisible. I shared some tactical ways to consistently praise and support caregivers so they feel like they belong to a mission, not just a schedule.
4. From “Boss” to “Retention Champion” Retention isn’t an HR problem. It’s a leadership responsibility. Every manager needs to move from managing tasks to becoming a “Retention Champion” who owns the culture of their team.
One Small Change You Can Make Today:
Stop assuming “common sense” is common. What you think is a “professional standard” might be a totally new concept to a Gen Z hire. Instead of judging them for what they don’t know, guide them. Clearer expectations = less frustration = higher retention.
Huge thanks to CareSmartz360 for having me on the show! If you’re ready to stop the revolving door and start becoming a “Magnet” employer, you can catch the full episode here!
Now, I want to hear from you: What is the #1 challenge you’re facing with your younger staff right now? Drop a comment below—let’s troubleshoot this together!
Keep making it happen!
