She was one of the most attended speakers at last year’s WIN in Workforce Summit — and this year she’s back with a message that’s applicable across workplace generations.
Liz Carlson describes herself as “a corporate leader turned workplace teacher — and a mother whose three neurodivergent children reshaped her definition of leadership.”
After years of building teams and leading in corporate spaces across the U.S., she pivoted from corporate leadership — and the travel that came with it —to classroom leadership, teaching in the MBA program at the University of Sioux Falls and business communication courses at Southeast Technical College.
In 2020, she launched Liz Carlson Professional Development, where she now serves as a keynote speaker, workplace teacher and belonging leader — helping leaders create environments where all minds can thrive.
At this year’s WIN in Workforce Summit, Carlson will host a breakout session breaking down the generational divides that can challenge a workplace, looking at how to engage your workforce in a way that all can contribute and are motivated to stay.
The 2026 WIN in Workforce Summit will be held Oct. 22 and is hosted by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. It will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Canopy by Hilton hotel in downtown Sioux Falls.
Click here to learn more and register.
We sat down with Carlson for a preview of her cross-generational message.
Your presentation this year is “The Generation Divide: Engaging Everyone to Choose, Contribute and Stay.” What are we seeing in terms of the number of generations currently in the workplace, and are there key themes or characteristics you associate with each?
We’re living in a workforce moment unlike any other: five generations working side‑by‑side. That’s never happened in modern workplace history. Each generation was shaped by different parenting styles, world events and technology, and those influences show up every day at work.
A quick snapshot:
- Traditionalists – Duty, discipline, respect
- Baby boomers – Loyalty, contribution, experience
- Gen X – Independence, efficiency, adaptability
- Millennials – Purpose, collaboration, flexibility
- Gen Z – Belonging, clarity, digital fluency
The heart of my presentation is simple: Generations aren’t a problem to solve — they’re a language to learn. When leaders understand what shaped each group, they can communicate in ways that reduce friction and increase engagement.
What are some of the most common questions you receive or issues you observe as employers attempt to integrate multiple generations in the workplace?
The questions I hear most often sound like this:
- “How do I motivate everyone when they all want something different?”
- “Why does communication feel so hard across age groups?”
- “How do I build trust when expectations vary so widely?”
Most challenges come down to mismatched communication methods, unclear expectations and assumptions about work ethic or commitment. Once leaders understand the “why” behind each generation’s behavior, the path forward becomes much clearer — and much kinder.
As the workplace rapidly attempts to incorporate new technology, especially AI, are you seeing generational differences in terms of approach, adaptation and even fear? Are there some strategies employers can employ to manage this?
Absolutely — and the differences are real. Some generations are excited, some are cautious, and some are quietly terrified they’ll be left behind. The fear isn’t about the technology itself — it’s about competence, identity and job security.
Strategies that help:
- Normalize learning curves — no one is supposed to be an expert overnight.
- Pair digital natives with digital adopters for cross‑mentoring.
- Communicate why new tools are being introduced, not just how.
- Celebrate experimentation instead of perfection.
- When leaders create psychological safety around learning, adoption skyrockets.
Communication strategy sometimes must be adapted for different generations. Do you have some advice to offer as employers try to navigate that?
Communication is where most friction happens — and where most healing happens too.
My advice:
- Match the method to the audience.
- Be clear, concise and consistent.
- Don’t confuse “preference” with “competence.”
- Use multiple channels for important messages.
- Ask people what helps them do their best work — and honor it when possible.
- Boomers often want a meeting. Gen X wants an email. Millennials want a Teams message. Gen Z wants a voice note. Same message, different decade.
Overall, what can attendees expect to take away from your presentation?
Attendees will leave with:
- A clear understanding of what shaped each generation.
- Practical tools to reduce friction and increase trust.
- Communication strategies that work across age groups.
- Insights on how to engage people so they choose, contribute and stay.
- A fresh, humorous, human perspective on the modern workplace.
My goal is always the same: Make people laugh, learn and leave with something they can use immediately.
You’ve now become a regular presenter and attendee at the WIN Summit. What are your biggest takeaways from this event? How would you describe the overall value of the day to those who have not yet attended?
WIN is one of my favorite events because it brings together leaders who genuinely care about building better workplaces. The day is packed with practical insight, connection and energy. People show up ready to learn, ready to grow and ready to take something back to their teams.
For anyone who hasn’t attended: It’s one of the most valuable one‑day investments you can make in your people.
WIN in Workforce Summit
The WIN in Workforce Summit has become a popular regional event offering topical insights and strategies around the issues and challenges that are driving talent attraction, development and retention in the workplace today. This year’s event will feature nine impactful sessions, including a strategic look at how burnout, employment uncertainty with AI and shifting employee and employer expectations are reshaping engagement — and what leaders must do to sustain performance.
Additional details on speakers and sessions will be released in the coming weeks.
Following this year’s event, the Development Foundation will host the WIN in Workforce Summit every other year, alternating with the YPN Crossroads Summit. The next WIN in Workforce Summit will take place in 2028.
This program is valid for 4.25 PDCs for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. The Sioux Falls Development Foundation is recognized by SHRM to offer professional development credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.