Interview with Alex Atherton, author of The Snowflake Myth: Explaining Gen Z in the workplace and beyond
Alex Atherton, author of The Snowflake Myth: Explaining Gen Z in the workplace and beyond recommends a super set of books! Before jumping into the interview, please check out Alex's book:
Description from Bookshop.org: (All links earn commission from purchases. Prices accurate at time of writing)
The Snowflake Myth: Explaining Gen Z in the workplace and beyond
Alex Atherton is the former secondary school headteacher who heard the word ‘snowflake’ once too often. In The Snowflake Myth, he challenges the negative stereotypes surrounding Generation Z.
Drawing on his years of experience working with thousands of students, Atherton reveals that far from being lazy, entitled, or unreliable, Gen Z represents our most diligent, pragmatic, and patient generation yet.
This timely analysis dissects persistent misconceptions — from so-called ‘instant’ needs to claims of workplace apathy — showcasing instead a generation shaped by economic uncertainty and digital transformation.
The Snowflake Myth offers practical strategies for organisations seeking to recruit, retain, and develop Gen Z talent. It provides essential guidance for managers struggling with multi-generational workplaces and parents who want to a better understanding of their sons and daughters.
Most importantly, Atherton argues that the generational gap can be bridged — but the change must begin with older generations adapting their perspectives.
Ultimately, this book isn't just about understanding Gen Z, but about creating a collaborative future where different generations leverage their unique strengths for mutual success. The snowflakes, it turns out, are far more resilient than we've been led to believe
Buy On:
Bookshop.org UK £13.29
Blackwells £13.99
Waterstones £13.99
Q. Do you have a favourite smart thinking book (and why that book)?
Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman. Description from Bookshop.org: (All links earn commission from purchases. Prices accurate at time of writing)
It’s an old favourite but I would go for Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. It might be 30 years old this year but the key principles seem more important now than they were then. It preceded our modern world and all the technology which has come with it, yet all of that has meant that empathy and self-awareness are even more valuable to stand out above the noise.
Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ
Does IQ define our destiny? In his groundbreaking bestseller, Daniel Goleman argues that our view of human intelligence is far too narrow. It is not our IQ, but our emotional intelligence that plays a major role in thought, decision-making and individual success. Self-awareness, impulse control, persistence, motivation, empathy and social deftness: all are qualities that mark people who excel, whose relationships flourish, who can navigate difficult conversations, who become stars in the workplace.
With new insights into the brain architecture underlying emotion and rationality, Goleman shows precisely how emotional intelligence can be nurtured and strengthened in all of us.
Buy On:
Bookshop.org UK £12.34
Bookshop.org US $18.64
Blackwells £9.99
Waterstones £12.99
Q. What's the most recent smart thinking book you've read (and how would you rate it)?
The Culture Trap: Practical ways to improve your influence, relationships and culture – for leaders and teams by Jeanne Hardacre. Description from Blackwells: (All links earn commission from purchases. Prices accurate at time of writing)
I would go for The Culture Trap by Dr Jeanne Hardache. It highlights so many issues with the workplace which remain elephants in the room in far too many places. It’s a 5 star book!
The Culture Trap: Practical ways to improve your influence, relationships and culture – for leaders and teams
The Culture Trap lifts the lid on a work culture emergency. Many organisations have become dehumanised and damaging. Conventional 'leadership' is becoming distrusted and discredited. Dr. Jeanne Hardacre draws on three decades of researching, learning and specialist consulting to reveal how well-meaning people get trapped in dynamics at work that harm health, quash truths, suppress joy and limit success. Results are stressed teams, an expensive exodus of talent, unhappy clients, disillusioned people and too often, tragic human cost.
Tested and refined over many years, the H.U.M.A.N. approach is a refreshing, radically different way of working together, inviting leaders and teams to unlearn habitual, disempowering patterns of behaviour. Grounded in cutting-edge leadership practice, this unique approach liberates you from The Culture Trap, offering a rich collection of practical ways to improve collaboration, influence more effectively, grow trust and enhance accountability, creating healthier, compassionate and innovative work cultures - one interaction at a time.
Buy On:
Bookshop.org US $20.99
Blackwells £15.99
Waterstones £15.99
Q. Do you have a favourite childhood book?
My memories of childhood books are far stronger for those I read to my daughter rather than those I read myself. I won’t let her get rid of them! Many fond memories of Alfred Hitchcock’s Three Investigators series. They’ve ended up being lost but I had a lot of fun with them.
Q. Do you prefer reading on paper, Kindle or listening to an audiobook?
I’m still a paper person. When Kindles came out I went all in, and on holidays it can still be useful. But I prefer a more visual version of what I’m reading and what I’ve read. My concentration span isn’t strong enough for an audiobook – I have to be able to go forwards and backwards easily.
Q. Do you have a favourite bookshop (and why that shop)?
Foyles
It’s long gone now but Haigh and Hochland in Manchester was the student bookshop where you came out with an armful of core texts and textbooks. I studied social science and government and politics in particular. It was stuffed full of all I needed to make the most of my university studies. Buying second hand was an option but the smell of that pile of new books was hard to beat. If I’m in town then Foyles on Charing Cross Road is still a great place to get lost in.
Many thanks to Alex for recommending a super set of books! Please don't forget to check out The Snowflake Myth: Explaining Gen Z in the workplace and beyond.
Daryl
Image Copyrights: (The Snowflake Myth: Explaining Gen Z in the workplace and beyond), Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ), Purple Groove Publishing (The Culture Trap: Practical ways to improve your influence, relationships and culture – for leaders and teams), ().
< Home
