Leading Younger Generations: Align, Grow Together, and Deliver Results w/Shirley Han

03/28/25 • 47 min

How do you lead people who think, work, and expect things differently from you?

Many leaders struggle with cross-generational collaboration, especially when it comes to managing Gen Z. Do they really need constant feedback? Are they resistant to structure? Or is there a different way to align expectations without frustration?

In this episode, I sit down with Shirley Han, a senior banking executive in APAC with nearly 30 years of leadership experience, to discuss the real challenges and opportunities in leading younger generations. She shares how to navigate misaligned expectations, involve Gen Z in decision-making, and build leadership clarity without micromanaging.

You’ll hear about:
✔️ Why Gen Z responds differently to leadership—and how to adapt
✔️ The “Standing Beside vs. Standing in Front” leadership approach
✔️ The right way to involve younger employees in decision-making
✔️ Why investing in young talent is never wasted—despite high turnover
✔️ The biggest mistake senior leaders make when driving change

If you want to lead across generations without authority struggles or constant friction, this episode is for you.

(00:00) - (02:01) Intro: Are You a Strawberry or a Watermelon?
(02:02) - (05:50) Generational Labels: How Do They Impact Leadership?
(05:51) - (07:52) How Shirley Bridged Gaps Between Senior and Junior Employees
(07:53) - (10:42) What Leaders Often Get Wrong About Managing Gen Z
(10:43) - (12:20) How to Align Expectations Between Senior and Junior Talent
(12:21) - (15:46) The Right Way to Involve Younger Employees in Decision-Making
(15:47) - (19:52) When Gen Z Pushes Back: How to Handle Resistance as a Leader
(19:53) - (22:30) The ‘Standing Beside’ vs. ‘Standing in Front’ Leadership Approach
(22:31) - (25:15) Why Investment in Young Talent Is Never a Waste
(25:16) - (27:59) What Leaders Need to Understand About Change Management
(28:00) - (31:20) Why Gen Z Adapts to Change Faster Than Previous Generations
(31:21) - (33:45) The Most Common Mistake Senior Leaders Make When Managing Change
(33:46) - (36:45) How Senior Leaders Can Build an Open Mindset for Future Success

(36:46) - (39:45) Why Leaders Need to Ask for Feedback—And How to Do It Right
(39:46) - (41:50) The Power of Creating Space for Different Personalities at Work
(41:51) - (45:00) Shirley’s Biggest Leadership Lessons on Influence & Generational Leadership
(45:01) - (47:31) Closing: The One Thing You Should Apply from This Episode

How do you lead people who think, work, and expect things differently from you?

If you want to lead across generations without authority struggles or constant friction, this episode is for you.

Previous Episode

Assumptions That Make or Break Your Leadership Influence w/Steven Parker

What assumptions have shaped your leadership experience? And have you ever felt like the “outsider” in the team you lead—like a new son-in-law or daughter-in-law in a close-knit family?

Assumptions shape how we lead, but what happens when they don’t match reality? Whether it’s cultural norms, workplace expectations, or team dynamics, leaders often face hidden gaps in alignment that can make or break their success.

Steven Parker, a business advisor, former CEO of the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, and now a business owner, talked about the hidden gaps in leadership alignment across cultures and organizations. With decades of experience in global business and cross-cultural leadership, Steven shares how leaders can gain trust, align with team members, and drive results—without losing clarity.

We discuss:

✔ Why leadership that works in one setting might not translate elsewhere
✔ How cultural and company expectations shape leadership effectiveness
✔ Why observing team dynamics reveals hidden challenges and untapped talent
✔ How identity and self-awareness impact leadership and collaboration
✔ How clarity—not assumptions—helps leaders drive real results

You will hear:

(00:00) - (04:30) How assumptions shape first impressions and workplace interactions
(04:31) - (07:45) Why we have different expectations?
(07:46) - (11:20) The danger of making leadership decisions based on assumptions
(11:21) - (15:10) The hidden leadership blind spot create barriers for new leaders
(15:11) - (18:45) Are you being too flexible or too rigid?
(18:46) - (22:30) When leadership expectations collide: Who should adapt?
(22:31) - (26:15) One small shift that makes leadership easier across different teams
(26:16) - (30:45) Observing team dynamics to identify hidden talents and issues
(30:46) - (39:27) Why leaders struggle with their own identity—and how it impacts leadership
(39:28) - (41:40) Self-awareness and perception: Knowing yourself and helping others understand you

Next Episode

Leading Across Cultures in Southeast Asia When Certainty Isn’t an Option w/Laura Cho

What does it mean to lead when the rules keep changing—and every country does things differently?
In this episode, Miranda speaks with Laura Cho, an experienced senior leader who has held both country and regional HR roles across Southeast Asia.

Together, they unpack what leadership looks like in the real world of cultural complexity and organizational uncertainty.

You’ll hear:

What surprises leaders when taking on a new foreign market
Why “listening” isn’t enough—and how to build trust when time onsite is short
What to do when your “great opportunity” isn’t what your team wants
The subtle difference between being authentic and staying composed
Practical ways to lead across regional and local expectations without losing clarity
When external uncertainty is high—how can you still show up and support others?

Whether you’re supporting a team across countries or just trying to help people through tough times, this episode offers heartfelt leadership insights you won’t find in a management textbook.

(00:00) - (01:15) Would you enjoy leading multiple countries across Asia?

(01:16) - (03:12) When Chinese zodiac impacts your workforce planning

(03:13) - (06:02) Leading a new foreign market: what surprises leaders

(06:03) - (09:35) Why listening isn’t enough—and how to manage expectations

(09:36) - (12:43) From silence to honesty: helping your team open up

(12:44) - (15:32) Building relationships when you have limited time onsite

(15:33) - (18:28) Why it’s not “just casual talk”—and what you learn from it

(18:29) - (21:24) When you want to develop the team—but they don’t see it that way

(21:25) - (24:32) Local vs. regional: handling misalignment with care

(24:33) - (27:36) “We can’t do this”: how to respond to resistance

(27:37) - (31:33) Showing up as a leader when there’s no clear plan and uncertainty is high

(31:34) - (34:33) Authenticity vs. emotional control: the leadership balance